– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jul 29

CSi Weather…

TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. East winds around 5 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Southeast winds around

5 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. South

winds around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. A 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwest

winds around 5 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows around 60.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs around 80.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

Valley City (CSi) The Barnes County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday July 27^th, 2020, Tyler Delmore an inmate from the Barnes County Correctional Facility was released at 10:15 a.m. for work as a condition of his Criminal Judgment. He was due to return at 10:00 pm.

The report says, Delmore failed to return and has not returned as of Tuesday afternoon and has not been located. The Barnes County Sheriff’s Office and Valley City Police Department were notified.

Anyone with any information, please contact the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office at 701-845-8530.

Edgeley (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway patrol reported that around 4:30-p.m., Tuesday, a 2017 Ford F350 Pickup operated by 40 year old, Dean Johs, of Napoleon, pulling gooseneck trailer, was traveling westbound on Highway 13. A 2011 Toyota driven by a 64 year old female from Watertown, SD was traveling southbound on Highway 281.

The Ford went through the marked intersection at Highway 13 and Highway 281. The Toyota struck the front of the trailer with the driver side. The trailer detached and traveled into the south ditch. The Ford rotated and rolled counter clockwise to the west and the into the north ditch. The Toyota traveled west on Highway 13 onto the north shoulder. Johs was transported to Wishek Hospital and was later released. The unidentified driver of the Toyota was taken by life flight to Avera Hospital in Aberdeen to be treated for serious injuries.

Assisting at the scene were, the LaMoure County Sheriff, Dickey County Sheriff, Edgeley Ambulance, Edgeley Fire.

The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City and Rural Fire Departments were called about 7-p.m. Tuesday to a grass fire along the railroad tracks near the Hillcrest Municipal Golf Course, driving range.

24 firefighters and five fire units extinguished the fire in about 45 minutes.

The cause is under investigation.

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly News Briefing on Tuesday afternoon at the state capital in Bismarck. He was joined by Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer to discuss the Economic Resiliency Grant program.

Video Online at Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ndhealth/videos/286774799269352/

Burgum said he participated in a telephone call with federal and state officials with the COVID-19 Task Force, sharing information.

He said ND has crossed the 1,000 mark of active cases, and continued two additional days.

He added another milestone was ND crossing the 100 mark in COVID-Deaths.

Burgum pointed out the spiking of positive cases in Burleigh County.

A Burleigh Morton County COVID Task Force is being formed, with stakeholders including state officials education, healthcare, and employers, plus others, addressing the spiking numbers, and to mitigate the spread of the virus. He noted testing strategies and contact tracing efforts will be addressed by the task force. Prevention education will also be stepped up.

He pointed out individuals in their 20’s and 30’s are socializing at parties, bars, weddings and the like, and in many cases are not observing social distancing, and there by spreading the virus.

He said if North Dakotans want to keep businesses fully open to observe social distancing and other “North Dakota Smart,” guidelines, including wearing face masks, and frequent hand washing.

He said North Dakota will remain, for now, in the Low Risk level, however it is trending back toward moderate risk due to a surge in positive cases.

Burgum pointed out the increase in positive cases, in long-term care facilities, and visitors need to stay home if sick, and be North Dakota Smart with being safe with protective measures.

He added the increase in serial testing in the state. He noted that one in five North Dakotans have been COVID-19 tested.

With mass testing events, Burgum said more testing labs have been established in addition to the state lab in Bismarck. 19 testing labs have been set up in the state, as of Tuesday.

Burgum related NDDoH COVID-19 Test Results, posted Tuesday morning.

Results listed are from the previous day.

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Woman in her 20s from McKenzie County with no underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDAY

Adams County – 2
Barnes County – 1
Barnes Total 31
Barnes Recovered 27
Benson County – 4
Bottineau County – 1
Burke County – 1
Burleigh County – 51
Cass County – 26
Dickey County – 1
Eddy County – 1
Foster County – 1
Grand Forks County – 4
Griggs County – 5
Logan County – 1
McIntosh County – 1
McKenzie County – 1
McLean County – 3
Mercer County – 1
Morton County – 11
Mountrail County – 1
Nelson County – 3
Pembina County – 1
Ramsey County – 1
Richland County – 2
Rolette County – 2
Sioux County – 3
Stark County – 12
Traill County – 3
Ward County – 7
Wells County – 1
Williams County – 5

BY THE NUMBERS

297,512 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,310 total tests from yesterday)

150,046 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,680 unique individuals from yesterday)

143,905 – Total Negative (+1,525 unique individuals from yesterday)

6,141 – Total Positive (+157 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was discovered that a previously reported case from Cass County was from out of state and a case from Walsh County was a duplicate.

3.6% – Daily Positivity Rate**

343 – Total Hospitalized (+6 individual from yesterday)

35 – Currently Hospitalized (-8 individuals from yesterday)

4,957 – Total Recovered (+128 individuals from yesterday)

100 – Total Deaths*** (+1 individual from yesterday)

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said the North Dakota Department of Commerce will lead a four-part Special Business Briefing to provide step-by-step instruction on the Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) application process on Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m. (CST).

The session includes a general overview, including eligible businesses and expenses, application process, post-award responsibilities and a Q&A opportunity.

She added, “As we move closer to the application process, Commerce continues to be committed to serving as a valued resource for our state’s business community, by preparing North Dakota businesses to successfully apply for the Economic Resiliency Grant Instilling consumer confidence through improved infection control in our statewide marketplace is essential to ensuring North Dakota remains open for business, and for our longer-term economic recovery.”

The ERG application process is anticipated to open soon. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding will be approved if the application meets all criteria and funding is available. Additional information, including educational sessions and updates about the program, will can be found at https://belegendary.link/ERG.

She pointed out that August 8 2020 is the deadline for employers to apply for support in the Paycheck Protection program.

NDresponse.gov has more information.

Burgum said the North Dakota Department of Human Services is reminding state residents that if they are struggling to pay their rent, help is available through the Emergency Rent Bridge, which offers short-term rent assistance for qualifying renters.

Since it was launched in late May, the Emergency Rent Bridge has helped over 300 separate renters in 15 counties stay current on their rent and avoid eviction. Individuals who are renting their place of residence, whether it is an apartment, a house, or a manufactured/mobile home that requires payment of lot rent, can apply.

It pays a portion of a participating household’s rent. Payments are made directly to housing providers who must register with the program.

To qualify, a household’s income must be at or below 60 percent of the area median income adjusted for household size and county of residence. Participating households are responsible for paying 30 percent of their total monthly income towards their housing costs.

Renters can learn more and apply online on the department’s website at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/rent-bridge.html or by contacting 701-328-1907 or dhserb@nd.gov.

The department’s Emergency Rent Bridge team can also assist renters who need help submitting needed documents electronically.

Housing providers can find information about how to register and validate rent amounts for participating renters on the same webpage.

Funding for the Emergency Rent Bridge comes from federal funding resources provided to North Dakota to address pandemic-related needs.

The governor also signed two amended executive orders:

Executive Order 2020-12.2 extends eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits to include direct care providers employed by licensed North Dakota providers, including the Life Skills and Transition Center, who contract COVID-19 as a result of their work.
Executive Order 2020-20.1 amends a previous order to include nursing home administrators in the suspension of in-person continuing education requirements for licensing renewal. The original order temporarily suspended in-person continuing education requirements for licensing renewal for health care professionals.

The next News Briefing will be on Tuesday August 4, 2020 at 3:30-p.m.

In other state news…

People traveling from Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota to Chicago will have to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival or face possible fines starting Friday. Chicago officials issued the quarantine order in early July. Initially, it applied to travelers from 15 states but has been updated weekly based on increasing numbers of confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The latest expansion announced Tuesday brings the total number of affected states to 22. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Public Health, says city residents who work in Wisconsin or vice versa can continue commuting if their job requires it but should otherwise limit their activities.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in the Budget Session, developing the 2021 City Budget. All members were present, along with Finance Director Avis Richter, and City Administrator, Gwen Crawford City Attorney Carl Martineck and other city officials, to discuss the preliminary 2021 City Budget.

City Finance Director, Avis Richter said, one mill, equals $18,100. The increase in one mill is the first since the 2012 city budget. She said a large decrease in revenue comes from a cut in state funding.

The projected increase in expenditures in 2021 are put at $172,000.

The budget to fund a new city fire department pumper truck, when it becomes necessary, is reduced annually from $75, 000 to $50,000.

City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said all the pumper trucks passed the recent inspection, and any replacement is not needed at this time.

Highlights of the meeting included employee health insurance, in keeping the premiums affordable, to retain and recruit city employees. Discussed was the employee contributions, plus HSA payroll contributions for health care expenses. The City has been under the full insurance plan, and in the 2021 budget, the employee will continue with contributions, along with city contributions. The City Employee Share was discussed at a 10-percent increase.

With salaries, the cost of living increase was discussed. Avis said at the outset the COLA increase was not in the budget. At Tuesday’s meeting, the COLA increase was approved at 2.5 percent,. Employees will receive their salary step increase at the end of the calendar year. It was noted that the 2021 budget expenditures are estimated at 3.4-million dollars, with the increases in health insurance, COLA increases at about $50,000.

The salary and benefits of the new position of new engineers position is included in a 25-perecent increase in the public works budget. 75 percent from the General Fund Budget. It is also possible to Special Assess the revenue source.

The Street Department Fund shows a decrease in the state highway tax of about 20-percent. The snow removal expenditure is budgeted for $120,000.

With revenue, it was pointed out that the funds, from the Homestead Credit Act will be coming back to the city, dollar for dollar.

Transfer of funds in operating budgets are being reviewed as well

The meeting was recorded by CSi Cable 68 and is showing in replay.

The Wednesday budget meeting is planned for Wednesday, at 7-a.m., at City Hall, departments and other budget requests will be heard.

The budget meeting will continue on Thursday this week.

Valley City (CSi) Proceeds from the July 25, 2020, Debbie Gabel Memorial Cancer Ride, and Raffle, netted $10,000.

The Thundering Saints donated the funds to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Sponsored by Rocky Gabel and the Thundering Saints, proceeds will benefit local individuals battling the hardships of cancer, and Hospice of the Red Rive Valley, in memory of his wife Debbie who he lost to ovarian cancer in 2009.

Jamestown (FUI) – Farmers Union Insurance (FUI) and its partner, National General Insurance, recently made extra donations to nonprofit organizations in a number of communities the companies serve.

FUI Chief Executive Officer, Mark Anderson says, “We know there is an immediate need on the ground to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to the communities we serve. We are stepping up our efforts to help strengthen communities and bolster morale during this uncertain time.”

Entities that were selected to receive $2,000 each were: Bismarck Cancer Center, Heavens Helpers Soup Café, Bismarck; GARC & Food Pantry, Garrison; City of Hoople, Hoople; Farmers Union Youth Camp, Jamestown; Dollars for Scholars, Kenmare; Little Lobos Preschool, LaMoure; Lisbon Ambulance Service, Lisbon; Michigan Ambulance Service, Michigan; Napoleon Ambulance Service, Napoleon; New Salem Ambulance, New Salem; Wimbledon Child Care Center, Wimbledon; and Community Connections, Williston.

Chief Sales, Marketing and Brand Officer, Kevin Ressler, says, “Our intent is to strengthen our resiliency as a community through these donations, We’re stronger together.”

Farmers Union Insurance is one of few companies in the state that maintains a large investment portfolio in North Dakota, constantly reinvesting in businesses and communities. With over 325 captive and independent agents in North Dakota, Utah and Arkansas, the company provides insurance products and services to individuals, families and businesses. Go to fumic.com for more information.

Jamestown (CSi) Hugo’s Family Marketplace and Hugo’s Wine and Spirits, including Jamestown will be requiring face coverings inside their stores beginning Wednesday, July 29th.

Communications Director Lisa Mangino Swanson says “The health and well being of our team members and customers is extremely important to us. We need to do our part to slow the spread of Covid 19.”

For those who chose not to enter the store, all Hugo’s Family Marketplace communities offer online shopping with delivery and/or curbside pickup.

Other safety measures have been implemented several months ago.

From Jamestown Public Schools

Due to the Pandemic please take time to read thoroughly for changes:

REGISTRATION: All new students to the school district may register by calling at the District Office at 252-1950 for an appointment. Hours for registration are 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES will be emailed or mailed to families

PAYMENT OPTIONS: For your convenience you are able to pay school lunches, activity tickets, and activity participation fees on-line. To set up an account:

Go to www.jamestown.k12.nd.us
Click on Parent tab
Click on e-funds
Click on create account in left hand column

Enter information of the parent or guardian

FEE DAYS: (Appropriate 6 ft. social distancing and masks will be required)

Tuesday, August 11th – Last names A-L

Wednesday, August 12 – Last names M-Z

Thursday, August 13^th – Alternative if not able to attend above date or by appointment

LOCATIONS: Middle School, Thompson Room, 203 2^nd Avenue SE, Busing, Food Service and

Activity tickets

High School, Common Area, 1509 10 Avenue NE, Food Service and Activity tickets.

No Bus sign up at this location.

TRANSPORTATION: Bus sign up MUST be completed by August 13

NO further sign up until September 1, 2020.

Bus service will be provided according to prioritized routes in the following order:

1) Special education routes which are directed in a student’s Individualized Education Plan(IEP),

2) Rural routes

3) City routes

Private school students may be transported if space is available. When available, intracity transportation is limited to those students who live 10 blocks or more from school. The cost for a family is $135.00 per semester per child for the first 2 children, $120.00 per semester for each additional family member attending school in grades K-12. RURAL students wishing transportation service must also register on the above dates.

SCHOOL LUNCH: School lunches and breakfasts are available for all students in Jamestown Public Schools. Your family might be eligible for free or reduced meal prices. The School District encourages all families to complete the free or reduced meal application which is mailed to each family the second week of August. If you do not receive an application, please call Joe Oster, Food Service Director, 952-3015. The elementary student cost is $3.10 per day, the Middle School student cost is $3.15 per day and the High School student cost is $3.20 per day. The adult cost is $3.95 per day.

Breakfast programs are available at all schools. The elementary cost is $2.00 per day. The Middle School and High School cost is $2.10 per day. The adult cost is $2.80 per day. The School Lunch program is supported by the charge made to patrons for meals and by the subsidy received from Federal sources through the State Lunch Program.

Jamestown (UJ) Due to COVID-19, University of Jamestown representatives announced that they will have to cancel the 2020 Community Block Party due to safety concerns.

“While this is a great event with tremendous community support and having record attendance last year, with the current pandemic, the University of Jamestown feels the cancellation of this year’s event is what is in the best interest of our students and the community,” explained Trish Herzig, Associate Director of Residence Life & Conference Services Coordinator. “All incoming new students will receive a copy of the Jamestown Area Source Guide, a publication of Jamestown Tourism and The Jamestown Sun, that will serve as a resource for what our community has to offer.”

The Community Block Party, which was originally created as a way to engage new students coming to UJ with the Jamestown community, would have been on its 13^th year. “We are extremely saddened that we can’t hold this great get-together, but also mindful of the risks it could entail,” said Lynn Lambrecht, President of the Jamestown Downtown Association. “This annual event has become a rite of passage for our newest Jamestown citizens each fall and a touchpoint for our community to come together and introduce ourselves.”

With vendor booths lining 1^st Avenue in downtown Jamestown, the annual block party facilitated introductions to various churches, businesses, organizations and service groups that most students would likely never know about. It has also historically been a way for those groups to meet the students and advertise their products and services, as well as providing a fun evening for the rest of the community members to participate.

“[The block party] is so important because it gives our residents, our newest being from UJ, and our local businesses an opportunity to connect and build relationships,” explained Emily Bivens, Director of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce. “Those connections and relationships are vital to our community’s success.”

The University plans on bringing the Community Block Party back in 2021.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Mandan woman accused of selling more than a ton of marijuana has been sentenced to probation and community service. Twenty-five-year-old Megan Isaak pleaded guilty to six felony drug possession and conspiracy charges which will be reduced to misdemeanors if she successfully completes two years of probation. Police say they found 170 pounds of marijuana in her storage shed and $150,000 in cash in her car when she was arrested in 2019. Assistant Morton County State’s Attorney Gabrielle Goter said Isaak’s cooperation led to others being charged.

In sports…

Tuesday

The opening round of the Sr. Babe Ruth East Divisional Baseball Tournament at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo.

Valley City Royals 5 Kindred 3

Other action…

West Fargo Aces 4, Casselton 2

Fargo Jets 7, Devils Lake 0

West Fargo Vets 11, Fargo Bombers 1 F/5

Wednesday Schedule:

10-am– Casselton vs. Devils Lake (Loser out)

1-pm – Kindred vs. Fargo Bombers (Loser Out)

4-pm – West Fargo Aces vs. Fargo Jets

7-pm – Valley City vs. West Fargo Vets

Tuesday at the Senior Babe Ruth Class A West Region tournament at Jack Brown Stadium

Jamestown Eagles 11 Williston 0

MLB-

— Josh Donaldson homered and drove in two runs in his Target Field debut with Minnesota, Jorge Polanco hit a two-run shot and the Twins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 in their home opener. Homer Bailey pitched five innings for the victory in his first start for the Twins. Polanco’s drive capped a five-run second for the Twins, who began their 60th season in Minnesota.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered, and Tanner Roark gave up one run in five innings against his former team to help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 5-1. It was the third loss in a row for the reigning World Series champions. They have scored a total of just four runs during that skid and dropped to 1-4 for the season. Washington’s miscues Tuesday included two outfielders colliding on Guerrero’s homer, two errors by Starlin Castro that led to three unearned runs, and just one hit after the third inning. Austin Voth took the loss.

In other action:

—Carlos Santana hit a three-run homer, Oscar Mercado had a two-run single and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 to complete a doubleheader sweep Tuesday night. Cleveland won the opener 4-3 behind a career-high nine strikeouts by Aaron Civale and home runs from Francisco Lindor and Bradley Zimmer.

—Adam Frazier hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. A day after blowing a four-run lead in the ninth in what became an 11-inning loss, Pittsburgh delivered a bit of payback thanks to a shaky performance by the Milwaukee bullpen. Cole Tucker went 2 for 4 for the Pirates.

—J.D. Davis banged a two-run homer off the Pesky Pole, and left-hander David Peterson pitched 5 2/3 innings to win his major league debut and lead the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Mets swept the two-game series and sent the Red Sox to their fourth consecutive loss. The teams now move to New York for another two games at Citi Field.

—Javier Báez homered twice, doubled and scored on a deft dive to the plate, Alec Mills went six solid innings, and the Chicago Cubs extended their strong opening surge, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5. Chicago has won four of its first five games, scoring first in each one.

—Jonathan Schoop and Christin Stewart each hit a two-run homer in the third inning to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Whit Merrifield hit a three-run shot in the top of the third for Kansas City, but the Tigers answered quickly and held on from there.

—Yoshi Tsutsugo had a two-run single during a five-run third inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won their fourth consecutive game, 5-2 over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. Yonny Chirinos became the second consecutive Rays starter to go four strong innings after missing part of summer camp following a positive covid-19 test, allowing one run and four hits.

MLB-MARLINS-VIRUS

MLB suspends Marlins’ season through weekend amid outbreak

MIAMI (AP) — Major League Baseball has come up with a patchwork schedule for the remainder of the week due to a virus outbreak that has sickened half of the Miami Marlins team. MLB suspended the Marlins’ season through Sunday. The Philadelphia Phillies will remain idled by the pandemic until Friday.

The league said that among more than 6,400 tests conducted since Friday, there were no new positives involving on-field personnel from any team other than the Marlins. But that’s not reassuring to players. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun says he’s found it difficult to focus on baseball at all during the last couple of days. Braun said MLB players are constantly assessing whether they should keep playing. Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said the season could be in jeopardy.

In other MLB news:

— Benches cleared Tuesday night in the first game between the Astros and Dodgers since it was revealed that Houston stole signs en route to a 2017 World Series championship that came at Los Angeles’ expense. The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. The Dodgers led 5-2 after a five-run fifth when Kelly, who was with Boston in 2017 and also faced Houston that postseason, threw behind Bregman for ball four.

— Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria has returned to the team after being isolated for 24 hours with COVID-19 symptoms. He passed MLB’s virus protocol and arrived at Progressive Field about an hour before the White Sox played their first road game this season and a doubleheader against the Indians. Renteria woke up Monday with a “slight cough and nasal congestion” and went to a Cleveland hospital for tests as a precautionary measure.

— The New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Bruce Maxwell, the first major league player to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial injustice in 2017. That’s according to a person familiar with the deal.

— The Kansas City Royals signed former All-Star Matt Harvey to a minor league contract. The Royals announced the move before Tuesday night’s game at Detroit. The 31-year-old Harvey has struggled to recapture the form that made him a key member of the New York Mets when they faced Kansas City in the 2015 World Series.

— Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is joining the ownership group of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals announced the addition of Mahomes, the star quarterback who led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl title last season, on Tuesday. Mahomes was once a baseball prospect and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014.

NFL-PATRIOTS-HIGHTOWER

Patriots’ Hightower opts out

BOSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has decided to opt out of the 2020 season.

The source says Hightower’s decision was made out of concern for the health of his fiancée and child, who was born earlier this month.

Two other people told the AP that starting right tackle Marcus Cannon and fullback Danny Vitale have also chosen to sit out the season, citing health concerns.

In other NFL developments:

— New Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce has opted out of the 2020 season because of concern about the coronavirus. Pierce has asthma. He flew to Minnesota to meet with the team on Tuesday before making his final decision. Pierce signed a three-year contract that included $18 million in guaranteed money. He will receive a $350,000 stipend for the season because he’s considered a non-voluntary absence.

— Denver Broncos defensive tackle Kyle Peko has decided not to play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus. Peko is a fifth-year pro who was in his second stint with the Broncos. A year ago, Peko left the Buffalo Bills’ training camp to be with his wife as she battled cancer. The couple later said she was cancer free.

— The Tennessee Titans have placed their top draft pick on the COVID-19/reserve list. Coach Mike Vrabel announced that move Tuesday at the end of a 40-minute video conference call with reporters. The Titans drafted offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson with the No. 29 pick overall out of Georgia, and Wilson remains the one member of their six-man draft class that has yet to agree to a contract.

— Two people with direct knowledge of the decision have confirmed to The Associated Press that Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is voluntarily opting out from playing this season. The 30-year-old Lotulelei has seven years of NFL experience and was entering his third season with the Bills. He has two years remaining on his contract, which will now run through 2022.

—The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back Wendell Smallwood to a one-year deal, giving the backfield a bit of experienced depth heading into training camp. Smallwood joins a group that includes James Conner, Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Samuels and rookie Anthony McFarland.

—The San Francisco 49ers have placed starting receiver Deebo Samuel on the non-football injury list after foot surgery and they say he might miss the start of the season. Samuel suffered a fracture in his left foot last month during informal workouts with teammates in Tennessee and the timeline for his return remains unknown.

— Defensive end Joey Bosa has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers that two people familiar with the deal say is worth $135 million over five years. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized. ESPN was the first to report on the deal. The Chargers confirmed Bosa has agreed to the extension but did not disclose financial terms.

NBA-PELICANS-WILLIAMSON

Zion Williamson practicing, could play in Pelicans’ opener

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Zion Williamson returned to New Orleans Pelicans practice for the first time in nearly two weeks on Tuesday night and coach Alvin Gentry said the NBA’s top overall draft pick might play when the club resumes its season against Utah on Thursday night.

Gentry said Williamson will play if he’s ready. Gentry said Williamson, who left the team on July 16 to attend to a family medical matter, was held out of five-on-five drills and limited largely to three- and five-man sets with no defenders. The Pelicans have another practice scheduled on Wednesday. After Williamson missed New Orleans’ first 44 games while recovering from right knee surgery, the former Duke star averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in his first 19 NBA contests before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the season in March.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-EARLY START

Teams allowed to begin season early

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is allowing all major college football teams to begin their seasons as early as Aug. 29. The association confirmed that the football oversight committee had requested a blanket waiver to permit any school to push up the start of its season to the so-called Week Zero.

The official start of the season had been Labor Day weekend, with a few games scheduled for Aug. 29. That was before the coronavirus pandemic put the season in peril and schedules were remade to deal with potential disruptions of COVID-19.

Some schools and conferences are working on delaying the start of their football seasons while others are trying to get a head start. Kansas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 have both recently moved up their opening games against FCS opponents to Aug. 29.

LOUISVILLE-NCAA RESPONSE

Louisville receives extension to respond to NCAA allegations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville has requested and received a 45-day extension to respond to an NCAA Notice of Allegations that accused the men’s basketball program of committing a Level I violation for an improper recruiting offer and several Level II violations. The notice included an accusation former coach Rick Pitino failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.

The school received its notice on May 4 and had faced a deadline early next week to respond within 90 days. That deadline has moved to mid-September. University spokesman John Karman said Tuesday night the school has not determined whether to proceed through the traditional Committee on Infractions or Independent Accountability Review Process.

The NCAA notice completed a two-year investigation following a federal corruption probe into college basketball. Louisville acknowledged its involvement in the investigation related to the recruitment of former player Brian Bowen II, which led to the ousters of Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich in October 2017.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s visit to a U.S. fracking hub on the West Texas plains comes during the state’s fierce coronavirus outbreak. At the same time a global oil and gas glut is putting the squeeze on Trump’s loyal donors in the petroleum industry. The Republican president is combining some fundraising with his Wednesday trip, his first to an oil and gas rig and first to the Permian Basin since he took office. Trump will pull in up to $100,000 a person at a roundtable with supporters. Texas became one of the nation’s coronavirus hot spots as state politicians debated masks and other measures.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence will travel to a private school in Raleigh, North Carolina, to highlight how they’ve worked to resume in-person classes safely in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit comes as President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos urge states to adopt a default approach to let K-12 students go to classes in the fall entirely in person. The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from districts that adopt a hybrid model or go entirely online. Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has directed school districts to reopen with a mix of online and in-person instruction or fully remote learning.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials are grappling this week with the timing and scope of their next policy moves at a time when the raging viral pandemic has weakened the U.S. economy. No major changes are likely when the Fed releases a statement Wednesday after its two-day policy meeting ends and just before Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference. But the central bank is working toward providing more specific guidance on the conditions it would need to see before raising the short-term interest rate it controls, which is now pegged near zero.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four Big Tech CEOs are set to answer for their companies’ practices before Congress as a House panel caps its yearlong investigation of market dominance in the industry. They are Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai of Google and Tim Cook of Apple. Their industry has transformed society, linked people around the globe, mined and commercialized users’ personal data, and infuriated critics on both the left and right over speech. Critics question whether the companies stifle competition and innovation, and raise prices for consumers. The four CEOs are testifying remotely for a hearing Wednesday by the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust.

TOKYO (AP) — World shares are mixed as rising caseloads add to pessimism over the widespread economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Shares rose Wednesday in London and Paris but fell in Frankfurt and Tokyo. Market players are awaiting the outcome of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting that began Tuesday. Pressure is growing for continued central bank support and additional aid for American businesses and workers as some regions impose shutdowns to contain fresh or growing outbreaks of the coronavirus. Shares fell in Japan after a downgrade by Fitch Ratings. The price of gold held steady at around $1,950 per ounce.