– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jul 31

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight.

Lows in the lower 60s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

A quarter to half inch of rain possible.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds 10 to

15 mph.

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

5 to 10 mph.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 5 to

10 mph.

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

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

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

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

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny with slight chance of rain showers and

thunderstorms. Highs around 80.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s.

Thunderstorms are expected Friday and Friday night along a cold front.

Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon,

however, widespread severe weather is not expected.

Update…

Edgeley (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol on Thursday reported that the South Dakota woman involved in a crash at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 281 near Edgeley on Tuesday July 28, 2020 has died of her injuries.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, 40 year-old Dean Johs of Napoleon was traveling westbound on Highway 13. A Toyota driven by 63 year-old Paula Thovson of Watertown, South Dakota was traveling southbound on Highway 281. The Ford went through the marked intersection and the trailer it was pulling was struck by Thovson.

Thovson was airlifted to Avera Hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she later died from her injuries in the crash. Johs was transported to Wishek Hospital and later released. Charges are pending.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by the LaMoure County Sheriff, Dickey County Sheriff, Edgeley Ambulance, and Edgeley Fire Department.

Bismarck (NDDOT) The North Dakota Department of Transportation Thursday, reopened U.S. Highway 52 from Melville to Jamestown. The traffic incident one mile south of Pingree has been cleared and US 52 is now open to all traffic.

For more information about construction projects and road conditions throughout North Dakota, call 511 or visit the ND Roads map at http://www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info-v2/.

Update

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Posted Thurs Jul 30, 2020

11-a.m.

Results listed are from the previous day.

Stutsman +1

Active Cases 4

Recovered 27

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Woman in her 80s from Ramsey County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

Benson County – 4
Burke County – 1
Burleigh County – 11
Cass County – 22
Cavalier County – 1
Dunn County – 1
Emmons County – 1
Foster County – 1
Grand Forks County – 1
Griggs County – 1
McKenzie County – 2
McLean County – 1
Morton County – 2
Mountrail County – 1
Nelson County – 1
Ramsey County – 1
Ransom County – 1
Richland County – 5
Rolette County – 1
Sargent County – 1
Sioux County – 1
Stark County – 2
Stutsman County – 1
Ward County – 1
Williams County – 10

BY THE NUMBERS

304,978 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+3,975 total tests from yesterday)

151,861 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+778 unique individuals from yesterday)

145,560 – Total Negative (+704 unique individuals from yesterday)

6,301 – Total Positive (+75 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was discovered that previously reported cases from Dickey County was from out of state.

1.9% – Daily Positivity Rate**

356 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individual from yesterday)

43 – Currently Hospitalized (+4 individuals from yesterday)

5,181 – Total Recovered (+94 individuals from yesterday)

103 – 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.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission Thursday morning at City Hall, as the Budget Committee, approved the Preliminary 2021 Calendar Year Budget, all members were present, along with City Administrator, Gwen Crawford, City Finance Director, Avis Richter, and City Attorney/HR Martineck.

Commissioner Mike Bishop voted against the budget.

The Preliminary 2021 calendar year budget Mill Levy increase of 2 mills, would increase property taxes on a $150,000 house by $12 and by $44 on commercial property valued at $500,000.

Over 3-million dollars is in the General Fund Reserve Budget.

After the initial approval of the Preliminary Budget, the overall mills can be reduced but not increased, which can be accomplished by transferring funds.

A Public Hearing and First Reading of the Ordinance will be on September 15, 2020, with Adoption on October 16.

Highlights of Thursday’s meeting for budget requests:

The Valley City/Barnes County Public Library receives funding from the city, county and state.

The state funds are based on dollars received locally.

Hilda requested $145,700 or 8-mills, which would qualify the library for state funds.

She said the library has reopened on a safe basis with the pandemic. She added that the library was closed during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that virtual events and activities were held.

She also presented requests from the Bridges Arts Council that is requesting $1,000 for activities in 2021. Also requested is $1,500 for the Community School for the Arts, supporting the Valley Voices Women’s Choir.

The Valley City Park District, requested, $20,000 for programs and activities for the recreation center.

Avis pointed out that Valley City Public Schools has increased the salary for the School Resource Officer, in conjunction with Valley City Police, to $35,000, and increase of another $5,000 in the city budget.

Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals requested funding of $1,000. The annual fundraiser was not held because of the pandemic, for a large funding source loss, an on line fundraiser is being planned. The shelter’s services were outlined, for 2019 and 2020.

With The Barnes County Museum Wes Anderson said, the COVID-19 pandemic closed the Museum, for a few weeks, and required expenses for sanitizing and deep cleaning. He said the museum typically attracts 5,000 visitors annually. He said memberships need to be increased to add to funding. The Museum receives .75 of a mill from Barnes County funding.

Wes added that the museum faces a shortfall of about $10,000, including less proceeds from the gift shop.

He pointed out that volunteers are welcome to be at the museum to assist visitors, along with additional donors.

The Museum will receive $1,000 more in the 2021 Calendar Year budget.

City Beatification requested $4,000 in funding, from the city sales tax funds.

With Convention and Visitors Bureau funds, from the three percent lodging tax the request was for an $80,000 budget.

South Central Adult Services will be funded one hundred percent from the NDDOT, and will not be requiring the annual $10,000 funds from the city in 2021.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.

Valley City (CSi) The Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway River Fest returns in this summer.

Mary Lee Nielson says the event is expanded to eight days, August 1-8. Participants, may launch at designated points along the river.

She encourages those taking part to take photos, to aid in mapping, to help establish the Sheyenne River Trail.

The Valley City entry site is below Baldhill Dam and the National Fish Hatchery, with the ending at Chautauqua Park.

Prizes including kayaks and more will be included in the River Fest winnings, the entry fee is $15 along with entering raffle drawings.

Prizes include T-shirts, a metalic framed print, and a handcrafted canoe paddle.

Tickets are available at various sites.

More information by calling 701-840-1580.

Jamestown (CSi) The annual North Dakota Patriot Guard (NDPG) Ride takes place on Saturday August 1.

Unlike the way the event was held in the past, this year due to thrCOVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a rally, Jjst the ride, followed by a dinner for participants at the All Vets Club in Jamestown.

Ride registration at the Jamestown Civic Center is at 9:30-a.m., with the cost of $20 per motorcycle. Kickstands up at 11-a.m.

The ride is open to the public.

The Ride procession will go from Jamestown to Lisbon where a lunch will be served, then back to Jamestown for the All Vets Club, supper.

The North Dakota Patriot Guard regularly attends funeral services to honor fallen American heroes, invited by the family, supporting them and their communities.

In the past, and when appropriate, the Patriot Guard also acts as a legal, non-violent barrier, or shields the mourning family and friends from protesters.

Bismarck (NDDOT) The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is scheduled to resume driver license renewal services at part-time Driver License locations across the state beginning August 3.

These services are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, visit our website at dot.nd.gov or call 1-855-633-6835.

These locations will follow CDC guidelines on social distancing, due to limited office space masks will be required for appointments. A mask will be provided if you do not have one.

“We have limited space available in our facilities and scheduling appointments is the safest, most effective way we can serve our customers and reduce wait times,” said Robin Rehborg, NDDOT Deputy Director for Driver Safety. “Safety remains our top priority. We appreciate your patience as we work through our backlog and continue to meet customer demand.”

At this time, NDDOT is focused on serving customers with a driver’s license that expired March 1 – August 31, 2020 and will continue to schedule appointments based on immediate need.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration also has extended the REAL ID deadline to October 2021. Only customers renewing a North Dakota driver license at this time will be able to obtain a REAL ID during their scheduled appointment.

In addition to appointments, many driver license services such as change of address, renewals, replacements and more are available online.

For a complete list of Driver License office locations and hours visit dot.nd.gov.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Burleigh County sheriff’s officials have identified a man found dead in Bismarck under what they say are suspicious circumstances. The death of 68-year-old Florian Kiefer, of Bismarck, remains under investigation. Maj. Jim Hulm would not comment on how Kiefer died, but said his department is looking into a person of interest in the death. Hulm says Kiefer’s wife called authorities about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday after finding her husband. Authorities say Kiefer died sometime between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 7:15 a.m. Wednesday. Hulm says Kiefer’s wife was home all night and is safe.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the state over a law intended to clarify ownership of minerals under a Missouri River reservoir. The Justice’s opinion released Thursday centers around a 2017 law that limited state mineral claims under Lake Sakakawea. Democratic Rep. Marvin Nelson and and others challenged the law, and sought to prevent the state from “giving away” up to $2 billion in coming years. The Supreme Court said the law does not violate the state’s gifting clause. The high court also reversed a lower court’s award of attorney fees to the lawmaker and others.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Trump administration is seeking to ease more rules for oil and gas drilling that were adopted under the Obama administration. The latest changes are projected to save energy companies more than $130 million over the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management proposal would streamline requirements for measuring and reporting oil and gas produced from federal lands. Critics say the measure backtracks on rules meant to ensure companies drill responsibly and that the public gets paid for energy extracted from public lands. Drilling in the U.S. slowed dramatically when the coronavirus pandemic caused demand for fuel to drop, but is beginning to rebound.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge has denied a request by a gaming equipment company to reactivate hundreds of electronic pull tab machines that were shut down by the attorney general in North Dakota. Powerhouse Gaming argued state officials interfered with its business and contracts and violated its right to operate the machines. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem suspended the company’s gambling license because he said it failed to show it had purchased a software license for each device in the state. U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor said in denying the motion for a restraining order that Powerhouse Gaming failed to show that “immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage” will occur before its case is heard.

In sports…

East Divisional Sr. Babe Ruth Baseball tournament

Thursday

Jack Williams Stadium, Fargo

Devils Lake 12 Valley City Royals 0

State Qualifying Game: Devils Lake 4, Fargo Bombers 0 Bombers Eliminated

Host Valley City will be the number four seed in the State Tournament East Region on Tuesday August 4,playing at 7:30-p.m., at Charlie Brown Field.

Fargo Bombers 10, West Fargo Aces 8 Aces eliminated

West Fargo Vets 7, Fargo Jets 6

Friday

1-pm Devils Lake vs. Fargo Jets (loser is #3 seed. Valley City is #4. )

4-pm Devils Lake vs. West Fargo Jets

If a second championship game is needed, that will be at 10:00am Saturday.

Senior Babe Ruth Class A West Region baseball tournament

At Jack Brown Stadium

Thursday Night

Jamestown Eagles 8 Bismarck Representatives 1

Connor Hoyt the winning pitcher

7 innings pitched

78 pitches

1 strikeout

Reps Play Bismarck Capitals Friday at 5-p.m., at Jack Brown Stadium

Winner Plays Jamestown in the Championship Game to Follow

Bismarck Caps 2, Mandan 1

Minot 20, Dickinson 10

Bismarck Caps 4, Minot 3

Friday

5-pm – Bismarck Caps vs. Bismarck Reps (Loser is #3 Seed from the West Region Minot is #4)

7:30pm – Jamestown vs. Caps/Reps Winner – Championship

if a second championship game is needed, it will be played Saturday at 1:00pm

NBA RETURNS

Gobert helps Jazz top Pelicans

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR’) became the first NBA player to publicly test positive for the coronavirus, beginning a wave of sports disruptions in March. He had a productive performance in the NBA’s return to action, posting a double-double as the Utah Jazz reopened with a 106-104 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gobert sank two free throws with 6.9 seconds left to cap a 14-point, 12-rebound and three-block performance. He helped the Jazz erase a 16-point performance.

Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points for Utah, which also received 20 points apiece from Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson scored 13 points in just over 15 minutes, highlighted by a couple alley-oop dunks. The first player taken in last year’s draft missed nearly two weeks of practice after leaving the team for a family medical matter on July 16.

New Orleans had a chance to avoid the loss until Brandon Ingram’s 3-point attempt rimmed out as time expired, a bitter end to his 23-point night.

The NBA’s marquee matchup of the night had the Lakers coming back from an 11-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Clippers, 103-101. Anthony Davis scored 34 points and Lebron James had the go-ahead basket with 12.8 seconds left. James had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Lakers move 6 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers in the West with seven games remaining.

Paul George had 30 points and Kawhi Leonard scored 28 for the Clippers.

NBA-NEWS

Knicks bring Tom Thibodeau back to New York as new coach

UNDATED (AP) — Tom Thibodeau (THIH’-buh-doh) is back in New York as the Knicks’ new coach.

The 62-year-old Thibodeau is 352-246 in eight seasons coaching Chicago and Minnesota. He was the Coach of the Year in 2011 in his first season with the Bulls. He led Chicago to 50 wins in three of his five seasons.

Thibodeau was an assistant to Jeff Van Gundy when the Knicks reached the 1999 NBA Finals.

In other NBA news:

— Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer says guards Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton won’t play Friday against the Boston Celtics after both players arrived late to Florida following positive tests for the novel coronavirus. Budenholzer hasn’t announced a timeline for when either player could appear in a game.

WNBA…

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Napheesa Collier scored 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx held on to beat the Chicago Sky 83-81. Azura Stevens had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Cheyenne Parker added 16 points and 10 boards for the Sky

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Chelsea Gray had 15 points and six assists, Candace Parker scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Connecticut Sun 81-76. DeWanna Bonner had 34 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, and Alyssa Thomas 10 points, 18 rebounds and six assists, for Connecticut.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Ariel Atkins scored 22 points and led four scorers in double figures as the Washington Mystics beat the Seattle Storm 89-71. Breanna Stewart finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Seattle.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Bieber hits double-digits in Ks again

UNDATED (AP) — Shane Bieber (BEE’-bur) is off to a record-tying start to his season.

Bieber was superb in the Cleveland Indians’ 2-0 shutout of the Twins, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits over eight innings. The right-hander has fanned 27 in his first two games this year, matching the major league mark set by Karl Spooner for the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954.

Francisco Lindor’s (lihn-DOHRZ’) second homer of the season accounted for the scoring.

Also on the MLB slate:

— The Yankees coughed up an early 5-0 lead before Aaron Judge slammed a three-run homer in the ninth inning to lift New York past the Orioles, 8-6. Luke Voit launched a grand slam in the Yanks’ five-run first, but the Orioles stormed back to take the lead on two-run homers by Hanser Alberto, Rio Riuz and Pedro Severino.

— Home runs by A.J. Pollock, Corey Seager and Max Muncy powered the Dodgers to their third win in a row, 6-3 over the Diamondbacks. Ross Stripling won his second game in two starts, pitching 5 1/3 innings while giving up three runs.

— The Padres blew a 6-1 lead before erupting for six runs in the 10th inning to knock off the Giants, 12-7. Tommy Pham was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including the tiebreaking single in the extra frame.

— Kurt Suzuki lined a go-ahead, two-run double and Michael A. Taylor smacked a two-run homer as the Nationals downed the Blue Jays, 6-4. Starlin Castro was a sparkplug to the Nats’ 13-hit attack, going 4-for-5 and scoring twice.

— Max Fried (freed) retired his first 14 batters and combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the Braves beat the Rays, 2-1. Dansby Swanson had a run-scoring single in Atlanta’s two-run second inning.

— Christian Vázquez homered twice off Steven Matz and Martín (mahr-TEEN’) Pérez gave Boston’s patchwork rotation a much-needed lift as the pair led a 4-2 victory over the Mets. Pérez overcame four walks and some shaky defense behind him, allowing only two hits while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings for his first win with the Red Sox.

— José Marmolejos (mahr-moh-LEH’-hohs) belted his first big league home run with a three-run shot in the first inning of the Mariners 8-5 victory against the Angels. Shed Long Jr. also went deep and Marco Gonzales was reached for two unearned runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

— Bubba Starling poked a two-run double that gave the Royals a 5-2 lead in a 5-3 win at Detroit. The Tigers lost despite Miguel Cabrera’s first two-homer game in four years.

— Rain caused the postponement of the Cubs-Reds game at Cincinnati. No makeup date was set in this virus-shortened season, although the Cubs are scheduled to return to Cincinnati for a three-game series Aug. 28-30.

MLB-NEWS

Phils-Jays weekend tilt called off

UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball says this weekend’s three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies and visiting Toronto Blue Jays has been postponed. The move is a precaution following a recent COVID-19 outbreak in the visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park.

Seventeen Miami Marlins players have tested positive since opening a three-game series in Philadelphia last weekend. The Phillies haven’t played since losing to the Marlins last Sunday.

The Phillies said there were no positive results among players from Wednesday’s testing of their team. But there were two positives: One from a a member of the coaching staff and one from a member of the home clubhouse staff.

In other MLB news:

— Doubleheaders will now become a pair of seven-inning games in baseball’s latest radical rule change during a season reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. A person familiar with the plan tells The Associated Press that Major League Baseball and the players’ union reached agreement on the new twinbills. MLB had already added designated hitters to National League games this year and added an automatic runner at second base to start all half-innings in extras.

— Angels outfielder Mike Trout was placed on the paternity list before Thursday’s game against the Mariners. The reigning AL Most Valuable Player and his wife are expecting their first child, which was due Monday. Trout initially expressed reservations about playing the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

— Home plate umpire Joe West missed two innings of Thursday’s Nationals-Blue Jays game after getting bloodied when he was hit in the head by leadoff hitter Bo Bichette’s flying bat in the top of the first. The 67-year-old West is the senior umpire in Major League Baseball. He was struck near his left ear when Bichette lost hold of his bat while missing the first pitch thrown by Washington’s Erick Fedde (FEH’-dee). West returned in the middle of the third inning and began working at third base.

— Big league hitters have opened this 60-game sprint by stumbling out of the blocks. The league-wide batting average is .229, down from .252 last season. The number is stunning, considering the National League has adopted the designated hitter for this season. The all-time low for batting average is .237, set in 1968, “the year of the pitcher.”

— Mike Foltynewicz (fohl-tih-NAY’-vihch) is getting another chance with the Braves. Foltynewicz has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the team’s alternate training site. He was designated for assignment by the Braves on Tuesday following an alarming drop in velocity in summer camp and in his 14-5 loss at Tampa Bay on Monday night.

NFL-NEWS

Bills send rookies home

UNDATED (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are the first team in the NFL to send their rookies home and hold training camp remotely after two more players tested positive for COVID-19.

Defensive backs Siran Neal and Dane Jackson both tested positive, upping the team’s total to five since rookies reported on July 21.

The Bills did not provide a timeline as to how long rookies would continue working remotely.

In other NFL news:

— The New York Jets placed quarterback Joe Flacco, linebacker Avery Williamson and tight end Ryan Griffin on the physically unable to perform list. Flacco is recovering from a serious neck injury that sidelined him for half of last season with Denver. He was released by the Broncos in March, underwent surgery in April, and was signed to a one-year deal by the Jets in May. They hope he will be the backup to Sam Darnold.

— The list of players placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list now includes Browns punter Jamie Gillan, Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, Raiders running back Devontae Booker and 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. Meanwhile, rookie running back Malcolm Perry is among several Dolphins players who have donated convalescent plasma after recovering from COVID-19.

— The NFL’s chief medical officer says it’s not surprising there have been positive tests for COVID-19 among players reporting to training camp. Dr. Allen Sills notes that the disease is cutting across football just as it has through societies around the world. Sills says the league wanted to examine the results of recent COVID-19 tests before releasing the number of positives.

— The Carolina Panthers have decided to keep Joey Slye as their kicker and release veteran Graham Gano (guh-NOH’), who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Gano took over as the team’s kicker in 2012 and spent seven seasons handling field goals and kickoffs for the Panthers.

— Titans general manager Jon Robinson says he has been in touch with Vic Beasley and that the linebacker knows his absence from training camp is unexcused. Robinson said in a statement Thursday that Beasley told him he will be reporting to camp in the “near future.” Beasley was the Titans’ big free agent signee in March.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-IOWA-RACIAL BIAS

Inquiry finds racial bias, bullying in Iowa football program

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An investigative report has found that the Iowa football program has suffered from racial bias against Black players and bullying by a small number of current and former coaches.

University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld says the report from an outside law firm shows that the “climate and culture must and will change within our football program.”

Coach Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured head coach in college football, is expected to keep his job. The report found that many players believe he has already made several positive changes.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR

Former player: Schembechler knew of abuse at U of Michigan

DETROIT (AP) — Dozens of more victims who said they were molested by a University of Michigan doctor have filed a lawsuit against the school. They include a former football player who claims he told legendary coach Bo Schembechler (SHEHM’-behk-lur) about the abuse in 1982. It’s the first time that a victim has said Schembechler, who died in 2006, was aware of allegations against the late Dr. Robert Anderson. Anderson worked at Michigan, especially with athletes, from the mid-1960s through 2003. The university believes Anderson assaulted male athletes during routine physicals and injury exams.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS

NCAA extends size of football sideline area

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA playing rules oversight committee has announced alterations in football and other sports to accommodate for COVID-19 concerns this coming season.

The sideline area college football teams use to congregate will be extended by 20 yards.

Currently, as many as four team captains can participate in the coin toss. That has been reduced to one and only two officials will be allowed to participate.

In soccer, the penalty for spitting at an opponent has been increased from an ejection and one-game suspension to an ejection and two-game suspension. In volleyball, teams will not switch benches during a match.

In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— The SEC is the latest college conference to announce that it will play only league games in 2020. University presidents have agreed on a 10-game schedule that eliminates all nonconference opponents and is set to begin Sept. 26 and will conclude with the SEC title game on Dec. 19. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have already announced plans to play only conference games, while the ACC has announced a reworked 11-game schedule that left room for one non-conference game.

— A total of 457 Division I football games have been canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to Associated Press research, 134 Football Bowl Subdivision games are off. That number is 383 for the Football Championship Subdivision.

— Georgia Tech has moved this season’s home game against Notre Dame to its campus stadium, citing uncertainty over scheduling because of the coronavirus pandemic. Georgia Tech was set to play Notre Dame at Atlanta’s 75,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 14. Uncertainty over the playing date prompted the school to move the contest to its regular home venue, 55,000-seat Bobby Dodd Stadium.

— Top-ranked Ash Barty has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because she’s not comfortable with traveling during the coronavirus pandemic. The 24-year-old Australian is the highest-profile player so far to pull out of the Grand Slam tournament in New York because of the global health crisis. The U.S. Open is set to start Aug. 31.

— The LPGA Tour’s return to golf has yielded two positive tests for the coronavirus out of the 466 given to players and caddies before they traveled and when they arrived in Ohio for the LPGA Drive On Championship. The LPGA says Marina Alex had no symptoms when she tested positive before leaving for Inverness, and she is expected to return to the tour next week following 10 days of quarantine. Gaby Lopez has the positive test result out of the 233 given to players and caddies at the tournament.

— Formula One driver Sergio Perez is out of Sunday’s British Grand Prix after testing positive for the coronavirus. The Racing Point driver, who is Mexican, will now go into isolation. The race on Sunday will be the fourth in the pandemic-affected season that should have begun in March.

— Fans will attend soccer in Britain on Friday for the first time since the country’s coronavirus lockdown four months ago. In a pilot event for the planned widespread return of supporters, 500 will be allowed into the Irish Cup final at 18,500-capacity Windsor Park in Belfast. Northern Ireland is ahead of the rest of the U.K.

PGA-FEDEX ST. JUDE

Koepka has lead through 18

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Defending champion Brooks Koepka (KEHP’-kuh) has matched his career best with an 8-under 62 to take a one-stroke lead over Rickie Fowler and Brendan Todd in the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

Koepka had nine birdies and a bogey on a windy day at TPC Southwind in the World Golf Championship event. The round comes a week after he missed the cut in Minnesota in the 3M Open.

Sung Kang shot 65. Justin Thomas fired a 66 and was tied with Matt Kuchar (KOO’-chur), Chez Reavie (REH’-vee) and Max Homa. Thomas can reclaim the No. 1 ranking with a victory this weekend.

PGA-PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Molinari, Harrington withdraw from PGA Championship

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Francesco Molinari and Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington have withdrawn from the PGA Championship next week at TPC Harding Park.

Neither gave a reason, and both major champions have not played since the COVID-19 pandemic led to golf being shut down for three months.

They were replaced by Troy Merritt and Talor Gooch.

In world and national news…

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Isaias knocked out power and caused flooding and small landslides across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Thursday and now has strengthened into a hurricane as it begins moving into the Bahamas while heading for the U.S. East Coast. Isaias was centered about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southeast of the Bahamas late Thursday. It had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northwest at 18 mph. Earlier, its rains turned several streets into fast-flowing rivers and toppled trees and some telephone and electrical cables in Puerto Rico. The National Guard rescued at least 35 people in the U.S. territory, including two newborns.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci is returning to Capitol Hill and plans to testify there’s no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic. Along with other government health experts, Fauci will testify Friday before a special House panel investigating the pandemic. They’ll say in a prepared statement “COVID-19 activity will likely continue for some time.” Fauci’s appearance comes when early progress on combating the virus seems to have been lost and uncertainty clouds the nation’s path forward. Fauci’s message in recent days has been Americans can’t afford a devil-may-care attitude toward COVID-19 and need to double down on basic measures such as wearing masks, keeping their distance from others and avoiding crowds.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says his country will not negotiate with the United States because America would only use talks for propaganda purposes. The Trump administration has said it is willing to talk with Iran “with no preconditions,” but that the U.S. will continue its campaign of pressure against the Islamic Republic. In a televise speech Friday marking the first day of Eid al-Adha, Khamenei said President Donald Trump would benefit from talks, saying Trump wants to “use negotiations with us for propaganda like negotiations with North Korea.” Khamenei was referring to talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong un.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says the government will postpone highly anticipated legislative elections by one year, citing a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The Hong Kong government is invoking an emergency ordinance in delaying the elections. Lam says Hong Kong’s government has the support of the Chinese government in making the decision. Hong Kong has had a surge in coronavirus infections since the beginning of July. The postponement is a setback for the opposition, which was hoping to capitalize on disenchantment with the current pro-Beijing majority to make gains. Pro-democracy lawmakers have accused the government of using the outbreak as an excuse to delay the elections.

LONDON (AP) — Twitter says the hackers responsible for a recent high-profile breach used the phone to fool the social media company’s employees into giving them access. The company revealed more details late Thursday about the hack earlier this month, which it said targeted “a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack.” The company said the “attack relied on a significant and concerted attempt to mislead certain employees and exploit human vulnerabilities to gain access to our internal systems.” The embarrassing July 15 attack compromised the accounts of some of its most high profile users.

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares are mixed, with European indexes rising in early trading, while Asian benchmarks tumbled, as investors looked ahead to central bank meetings and corporate earnings reports. Shares in France, Germany and Britain rose in early Friday trading. Benchmarks finished lower in Tokyo, South Korea and Australia. Market players are monitoring financial reports to see how businesses have managed the fallout from the continued outbreaks of COVID-19. Some technology companies have bucked the trend and are showing positive results. The markets are looking ahead to central bank meetings in Britain, Australia, India, Russia and Thailand next week.