Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Aug 27

Widespread thunderstorms are likely across western and central
North Dakota Thursday afternoon and Thursday night. A few storms may become strong to severe with large hail up to the size of quarters and
damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.

There is a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. A few of these
storms could become strong.

Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather to the NWS
Bismarck office at 701-250-4224.

 

Jamestown (JPS)  Jamestown Public Schools open this school year today (Thursday) under the new Jamestown Public School District Health & Safety plan.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Lech points out that  some operations and protocols are different, this school year.

 

Some of those, include encouraging the  wearing of a mask and decreased visitation, for the safety students, teachers, and faculty.

 

Dr. Lech says the school district has protocols in place if there is a positive COVID-19 case in the  school district, adding that if a positive case found in the district, each to school building’s administrators will be responsible to contact trace.  Each education level will have assistance with contact tracing if  needed.

More information on the current safe return plans, and other COVID-19  information at jamestown.k12.nd.us.

Additional information on The Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, during the school news segment.

Valley City  (VCPS)  At Valley City Public Schools, face masks have arrived, for those who have ordered masks.  More information about the distribution of masks coming soon.

Those would like to, order a Hi-Liner face mask, visit the VCPS Central Office,  or use My School Bucks store through your PowerSchool accounts.

 

 

Bismarck (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer.

He related the strategic goals in fighting the pandemic including protecting the most vulnerable individuals.

He said hospitals and staffing in North Dakota now better understands through therapeutics to fight the disease.

He said the state continues to address health and economic issues, “lives and livelihoods.”

Back to school issues are continuing to addressed.

Burgum pointed out that 56 percent of the individuals who tested positive were asymptomatic.

He encourages residents to MaskUp, and wear masks at all times in the public settings, “our path to freedom, from the disease.”

He noted that social distancing is vitally important in addition to mask wearing.

Burgum is not adjusting the state’s risk level, still in the low category, with the criteria to be reviewed, for relevancy, on a county by county basis.

He  says the risk levels for COVID-19 hotspots in the state could be elevated beginning next week if the pandemic continues to worsen. The  announcement came as active coronavirus cases in North Dakota rose to another new daily high, led by the Bismarck metropolitan area. Burgum said he wasn’t prepared to amend the state’s “low” risk level under his ND Smart Restart Plan, which provides coronavirus-related protocols for everything schools and businesses to family gatherings.

He passed along the latest COVID-19 statistic, issued on Wednesday morning.

Active coronavirus cases in North Dakota have risen to another new daily high on Wednesday. Health officials says the number of active cases was 1,784 on Wednesday, an increase of 103 from the previous high set Tuesday.  North Dakota’s death toll remained at 138 as of Wednesday. North Dakota remained in the “low” risk level under Gov. Doug Burgum’s ND Smart Restart Plan, which provides coronavirus-related protocols. North Dakota health officials reported 238 new positive COVID-19 cases, including 64 cases in Burleigh County and 12 in neighboring Morton County. The counties have been state’s hot spot for the virus.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Wed. Aug. 26, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

 

Barnes

New Positives 3

Total Positives 63

Active Cases 16

Recovered 47

 

Stutsman

New Positives 10

Total Positives 152

Active Cases 20

Recovered 129

 

COVID-19 Test Results
The results listed are from the previous day. Additional data can be found on the NDDoH website.

BY THE NUMBERS

4,446 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

442,896 – Total tests completed since pandemic began

238 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday

10,467 – Total positive individuals since pandemic began

5.35% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,784 – Total Active Cases

+103 Individuals from yesterday

135 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday****

8,545 – Total recovered since pandemic began

53 – Currently Hospitalized

+3 individuals from yesterday

0 – New Deaths*** (138 total deaths since the pandemic began)

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

• Barnes County – 3
• Benson County – 4
• Burleigh County – 64
• Cass County – 29
• Cavalier County – 1
• Dickey County – 2
• Dunn County – 3
• Eddy County – 2
• Emmons County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 8
• Hettinger County – 2
• Kidder County – 1
• McHenry County – 1
• McKenzie County – 6
• McLean County – 8
• Mercer County – 2
• Morton County – 12
• Mountrail County – 2
• Oliver County – 2
• Pembina County – 1
• Pierce County – 2
• Ramsey County – 6
• Ransom County – 2
• Renville County – 1
• Rolette County – 5
• Sargent County – 1
• Sioux County – 7
• Stark County – 4
• Stutsman County – 10
• Traill County – 1
• Walsh County – 3
• Ward County – 23
• Wells County – 1
• Williams County – 18

 

* 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.
****The daily numbers are the actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

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.

Burgum said North Dakota is applying as a recipient for FEMA funding, under the Lost Wages Assistance program, to supplement those whose jobs were affected during the pandemic, as individuals provide certified information.

The program would supplement individuals over a three week period in August. Benefits may be going out in September.

North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said over 3,000  Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) applications have been filed in North Dakota, and are under review.  She cited examples of North Dakota businesses that have benefited from the dollars granted in the program.

Burgum said, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to six EDA Economic Development District organizations across North Dakota to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic

He said, “We appreciate the Trump administration’s investment in North Dakota to support our ongoing economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Our economic development organizations play an integral role in creating opportunities for North Dakota workers, and these CARES Act grants will bolster our continuing efforts to save lives and livelihoods.”

Among those recipients include, South Central Dakota Regional Council, in Jamestown, North Dakota, will receive a $236,460 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance and capacity-building for member organizations, local businesses, and other local stakeholders and coordinating a pandemic recovery and resiliency plan.

Burgum said the new Parents Lead resource encourages parents and caregivers to provide a space for their child to talk about their questions and concerns, be honest about what to expect and lead by example.  Visit  www.parentslead.org for this information and more.

 

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) recently expanded the current call center to enhance customer experience and decrease phone call wait times for Driver License customers.

The call center expansion helps to ensure NDDOT customers receive prompt service and meet driver license renewal deadlines.

All renewals for driver licenses, which expired March 1 or later, have been extended and will follow a phased schedule. The deadline for vehicle registrations remains August 31.

The renewal schedule for driver license is as follows:

• Licenses which expired in March, April or May 2020 must be renewed no later than September 30, 2020.
• Licenses which expired in June 2020 must be renewed no later than October 31, 2020.
• Licenses which expired, or will expire, in July, August, September or October 2020 must be renewed no later than November 30, 2020.
• Licenses which expire in November and December 2020 must be renewed no later than December 31, 2020.

NDDOT will continue to serve the citizens by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, visit our website at dot.nd.gov or call 1-855-633-6835.

The next News Briefing is planned, for Wednesday September 2, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

In other state news, the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that the Democratic nominee for insurance commissioner can’t be placed on the November ballot. In a unanimous opinion Wednesday, the high court upheld a lower court ruling that concluded Travisia Martin hasn’t lived in the state long enough to hold the office. The North Dakota Constitution requires statewide officials to be a resident of the state for five years prior to an election for statewide office. North Dakota’s Republican Party cited Martin’s November 2016 vote in Nevada as evidence of her ineligibility to hold office. Democrats endorsed Martin to run against incumbent Jon Godfread.

Valley City  (Chamber)  Valley City’s final Summer Nights on Central street concert scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2020 has been canceled.

The decision based on the impact of COVID-19 on volunteers along with concern for the safety and well-being of the community. The Summer Nights on Central organization and the Valley City Chamber of Commerce look forward to resuming the series under better circumstances next year.

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Arts Center is  excited to hold the Downtown Arts Market in Jamestown this summer at 5:30 pm to 8:30-p.m, in the Hansen Arts Park, each Thursday evening through August.

August 27th:    OPEN MIC NIGHT
With: Sugargliders
Poets, writers, musicians, comedians, solos, duos, and any and all performers are welcome to share your talent with the community at our monthly open mic night. There will be a sign up sheet at the stage. Please limit your piece to 10 minutes.  Facilitated by local musician Steve Kuykendall.

Valley City  The Barnes County Commission has signed an order, that all grass and weeds along Barnes County roads must be mowed on or before October 1st, 2020, by the landowner or operator-as required by the North Dakota Century Code 63-05-02. Mowing along the slope and ditch bottom must have a maximum stubble height of 4 inches. The width of cut shall be as such that no weeds or grasses will extend higher than the shoulder of the road.

Hay bales must be removed by October 1st or they will be disposed of so they will not create a snow problem.

Failure to comply with this order will result in the cost of mowing or hay bale removal being charged to the Barnes County Landowner. By order of the Barnes County Commission.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Salvation Army is accepting winter clothing items through September 25.

Items donated to be distributed through the upcoming winter should be clean and in good working condition.  Items accepted includes coats and snowsuits, gloves, caps, mittens, gloves, scarves and boots in all sizes, children through adults.

Cash may be donated in lieu of clothing.

The Jamestown Salvation Army will buy items that are missing. The Ave Maria Village staff will launder and sort clothing, and the Salvation Army will distribute.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — State regulators have approved two pipeline projects in North Dakota. The Public Service Commission gave the go-ahead Wednesday to a pipeline for a new natural gas processing plant in Williams County and another for the Dickinson refinery. The Williams County project involves two new pipelines that will extend from OE2 North’s gas processing plant west of Williston and connect with larger pipelines. The PSC has also authorized the conversion of two pipelines connected to Marathon Petroleum’s Dickinson Refinery to transport renewable diesel-related liquids. The pipelines previously carried refined oil products.

In sports…

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Making their strongest statement yet in the fight against racial injustice, players from six NBA teams decided not to play postseason games on Wednesday in a boycott that quickly reverberated across other professional leagues.

Players made the extraordinary decisions to protest the shooting by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday of Jacob Blake, a Black man, apparently in the back while three of his children looked on.

Kenosha is about 40 miles south of Milwaukee. That city’s NBA team, the Bucks, started the boycotts Wednesday by refusing to emerge from their locker room to play a playoff game against the Orlando Magic.

Other games that were not played: NBA playoff games between Oklahoma City and Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland.

The NBA’s board of governors have called a meeting today to discuss the new developments. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

 

NBA-PACERS-McMILLAN FIRED

Pacers fire McMillan following 2nd straight 1st-round sweep

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers have fired coach Nate McMillan, two weeks after announcing he would keep the job for two more years. Team officials made the announcement less than 48 hours after the Pacers suffered their second straight sweep in the first round of the playoffs.

McMillan went 183-136 in four seasons with the Pacers, going to the playoffs each season.

NBA-TRAIL BLAZERS-LILLARD

Lillard leaving bubble

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers say leading scorer Damian Lillard will leave the bubble in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and return to Portland on Thursday.

Lillard was diagnosed Tuesday with a knee sprain, which occurred in Game 4 of the team’s NBA first-round series against the Lakers.

The team did not make any mention if the uncertainty over the remainder of the NBA season played a role in Lillard’s decision.

NHL-STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Lightning crush Bruins; Flyers top Isles in OT

UNDATED (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning put on an offensive showcase while taking a two-games-to-one lead in their Stanley Cup second-round series.

The Lightning power play came to life as they scored three times with the man advantage to blow out the Bruins, 7-1. Tampa Bay’s power play was in an 0-for-16 slump until Ondrej Palat (AHN’-dray pah-LAHT’), Mikhail Sergachev (SUR’-gah-chehv) and Alex Killorn (kih-LOHRN’) all scored with the extra attacker.

Nikita Kucherov (KOO’-cheh-rahv) scored once and assisted on the three power-play goals. Killorn came away with two goals and an assist, while Sergachev and Brayden Point each had a goal and two assists.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (va-sih-LEHV’-skee) stopped 23 shots for the Bolts.

Brad Marchand had the lone Bruins goal, his third in two games.

The Flyers have evened their Stanley Cup second-round series at a game apiece.

The Flyers blew an early 3-0 lead before Phil Myers scored 2:40 into overtime to give Philadelphia a 4-3 win over the Islanders. Third-period goals by Anthony Beauvillier (boh-VIH’-lee-ay) and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (PA’-zhoh) allowed the Isles to force overtime before Myers ended the game.

Kevin Hayes provided the game’s first two goals after scoring just once in the Flyers’ first 10 playoff games. Sean Couturier (koo-TOOR’-ee-ay) scored 15:09 into the first period to make it 3-0 and chase Semyon Varlamov (SEHM’-yahn vahr-LAH’-mahv), who had just set an Islanders record for longest playoff shutout streak.

Carter Hart made 31 saves for the Flyers. Thomas Greiss (grys) stopped 20 shots and was perfect until Myers scored.

The wildest finish of the day was provided by the Avalanche, who blew a 3-1 lead in the third period and scored the last three goals in a 6-4 win over the Stars. The comeback puts Colorado within two games to one in the series.

Goals by Denis Gurianov (gur-ee-AH’-nahv), Blake Comeau (KOH’-moh) and Jamie Benn gave Dallas a 4-3 lead with 9:13 remaining. But the Avs regained the lead when Mikko Rantanen (MEE’-koh RAN’-tah-nehn) and Nazem Kadri (NA’-zehm KA’-dree) tallied 1:52 apart late in the third.

Kadri, Rantanen and Nikita Zadorov (zah-DOHR’-ahv) each had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche.

NHL-NEWS

NHL strips Coyotes of 2 picks for violating combine policy

UNDATED (AP) — The NHL has stripped the Arizona Coyotes of their 2020 second-round pick and 2021 first-round pick for violating the scouting combine policy by conducting physical tests of draft-eligible players.

Commissioner Gary Bettman determined the organization broke the rules by physically testing prospects outside of the combine. Bettman decided to use his powers to take away draft picks rather than impose a fine of $250,000 or more “given the specific circumstances of this case.”

The league opted not to discipline any individual members of the organization involved in the situation because Bettman believes it was gross negligence rather than intentional wrongdoing.

In other NHL news:

— Canadiens coach Claude Julien says he is feeling “100%” after a heart procedure. Julien had a stent installed in a coronary artery Aug. 13 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto after complaining of chest pains. The procedure came a day after Montreal opened its first-round playoff series with Philadelphia.

— Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko will undergo surgery on his left shoulder once again and won’t be evaluated for another five months. It will be Tarasenko’s third operation on that shoulder in the past two and a half years.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-MLB

Three MLB games postponed

UNDATED (AP) — A trio of Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

Games between the Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, the Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.

MLB SCHEDULE

Anderson outduels Cole in big league debut

UNDATED (AP) — Ian Anderson had quite a major league debut on Wednesday, helping the Atlanta Braves put an end to Gerrit Cole’s lengthy winning streak.

Anderson allowed just one hit over six innings of the Braves’ 5-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of a twinbill. Anderson had a no-hitter going until Luke Voit homered with one out in the sixth. The third overall pick in the 2016 draft struck out six and walked two.

Cole had won 20 straight regular-season decisions dating to May 2019, one off the American League record set by Roger Clemens. Ronald Acuña (ah-KOON’-yah) Jr. celebrated his return to the lineup by leading off with a 473-foot drive against Cole.

Dansby Swanson and Marcell Ozuna (oh-ZOO’-nuh) also homered off Cole, who had won his first four starts as a Yankee.

The Braves completed a sweep of the doubleheader as Freddie Freeman unloaded a two-run homer off Chad Green in the sixth inning of a 2-1 victory. Max Fried (freed) allowed four hits and one run in six strong innings to move to 5-0.

Yanks starter Masahiro Tanaka was dominant, allowing only three hits in five scoreless innings as he left the second game with a 1-0 lead.

In other major league action:

— Michael Perez hit a tiebreaking, solo homer in the eighth inning to give the Rays a 5-4 decision over the Orioles. Brandon Lowe (low) belted a two-run shot to help Tampa Bay win despite just five hits. The AL East leaders have won nine of 11.

— The Athletics beat Texas, 3-1 as Mike Fiers (FY’-urz) allowed only an unearned run and three hits over six innings. Fiers is 6-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last nine starts against the Rangers, with his team winning each of those games. The A’s didn’t have a hit until Stephen Piscotty’s one-out RBI single tied the game in the sixth.

— The Indians put together a three-run eighth to knock off the Twins, 6-3. Tyler Naquin (NAY’-kwihn) doubled home the tiebreaking run and scored on a single by Cesar Hernandez. Pitcher Mike Clevinger was good in his return to the Cleveland roster, limiting the AL Central leaders to two runs and eight hits while fanning six over six innings.

— Jose Abreu (ah-BRAY’-oo) homered for the seventh time in five games to support Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) in the White Sox’s 10th win in 11 games, 10-3 over Pittsburgh. Keuchel allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven over six innings for his third straight victory. Eloy (ee-LOY’) Jiménez slugged a three-run homer, Danny Mendick lined a two-run drive and Edwin Encarnacion (ehn-kahr-nah-see-OHN’) added a solo shot for Chicago.

— The Blue Jays blew out the Red Sox, 9-1 as Rowdy Tellez (teh-LEHZ’) drove in four runs with two homers and a double. Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line which keyed a four-run seventh. Five Toronto pitchers combined to allow three hits, strike out seven and walk three.

— The Mets’ bullpen coughed up a 4-1 lead in the eighth before Wilson Ramos slapped an RBI single with two out in the bottom half to give New York a 5-4 victory against the Marlins. Jacob deGrom settled for another no-decision despite strikeout out 14 and holding Miami to a run and two hits over seven innings. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo (NIH’-moh) homered for the Mets.

— Aaron Nola bounced back from the shortest outing of his career and the Phillies took advantage of the Nationals’ sloppy outfield defense to rally for a 3-2 victory. Bryce Harper delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh to help Philadelphia win its third in a row. Nola gave up two runs on five hits while striking out eight over seven innings.

— Austin Romine’s RBI double sparked a five-run sixth before the Tigers completed a 7-5 win over the Cubs. Romine drove in a pair of runs while he and Jonathan Schoop (skohp), Miguel Cabrera and Cameron Maybin each collected three of Detroit’s 18 hits. Cubs starter Jon Lester allowed one run over five innings before the bullpen faltered.

— Kolten Wong drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run ninth as the Cardinals stunned the Royals, 6-5. Tyler O’Neill tied the game with a two-out, two-run single. St. Louis outfielder Dexter Fowler and pitcher Jack Flaherty opted to sit out the contest in solidarity with players around the league in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake.

— Charlie Blackmon launched a grand slam that gave the Rockies an 8-1 lead in the eighth inning of an 8-7 win over the Diamondbacks. Arizona scored four times in the ninth and had the bases loaded with two out until Jeff Hoffman struck out Nick Ahmed (ah-MEHD’) to send the Diamondbacks to their eighth straight loss. Sam Hillard hit a solo homer and Nolan Arenado (ar-eh-NAH’-doh) had two RBIs for Colorado.

NFL-NEWS

Bengals player arrested while searching for missing father

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mackensie Alexander was jailed Wednesday on a charge of misdemeanor battery. Deputies say he beat up a man shortly after returning to Florida to help search for his missing father.

Alexander and another man were arrested by Collier County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night. Bail for the men was set at $2,000 each and they have been released. A lawyer for Alexander says the player’s only concern is the well-being of his father.

Alexander had left Bengals training camp earlier Tuesday to assist the search for his 65-year-old father, Jean Alexandre, a Haitian immigrant who uses a French spelling of the family’s surname. The man he allegedly assaulted had been picking berries with his father.

In other NFL news:

— Bears running back David Montgomery limped off the field at practice Wednesday after injuring his groin when making a cut on a running play. Montgomery went down in a non-contact drill. Coach Matt Nagy (NAYG’-ee) said it was uncertain how severe the injury is.

— The Giants secondary has taken a big hit with second-round draft pick Xavier McKinney scheduled for surgery after breaking his left foot. The club also said linebacker David Mayo will need knee surgery. The team didn’t say when the injuries happened but the players were at practice Tuesday.

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Mickelson gets wire-to-wire win in PGA Tour Champions debut

RIDGEDALE, Mo. (AP) — Phil Mickelson closed with a 5-under 66 to reach 22 under, leaving him three shots clear of Tim Petrovic and giving him a wire-to-wire win in his debut on the PGA Tour Champions.

Mickelson became the 20th player to win on the 50-and-over tour in his first start. He also earned some much-needed confidence after a missed cut at The Northern Trust knocked him from the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Mickelson is trying to fine-tune his game for the U.S. Open.

TENNIS-US OPEN-NISHIKORI

Nishikori withdraws from US Open

NEW YORK (AP) — Former U.S. Open runner-up Kei Nishikori (kay nih-shih-KOHR’-ee) said he tested negative for COVID-19 after having two positive tests but still decided to withdraw from the Grand Slam tournament that begins next week. Nishikori wrote Wednesday on his mobile app that he is ready to “slowly” return to practice but added he isn’t not prepared to compete in best-of-five-set matches.

In world and national news…

LAKE ARTHUR, La. (AP) — Laura has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as its center moved deeper inland over Louisiana. That’s no longer a major hurricane but it still has extremely dangerous winds hours after striking the coast and pushing what forecasters called an unsurvivable storm surge miles inland. Laura’s eye hit a stretch of Louisiana near the Texas state line early Thursday as a Category 4. Authorities had ordered more than 580,000 coastal residents to evacuate, but not everyone did. Now they have to wait until conditions ease before attempting search and rescue missions and assessing the damage.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four years ago, Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president with a dark convention speech that painted a dystopian portrait of an America in decline. And he offered a singular solution: “I alone can fix it.” This time, trailing in the polls for reelection, Trump will position himself as the last remaining defense against radical forces threatening the American way of life. While Trump has centered his recent stump speech on anarchists that he depicts as overrunning city streets, aides signal that Thursday’s acceptance speech will not be as dark as his infamous “American carnage” inaugural address.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Republicans aggressively defended law enforcement on the third night of their convention, led by Vice President Mike Pence. The proceedings unfolded as the nation faced renewed tensions following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. The wounding of Blake sparked continuing protests in a state that could decide the fall election. Pence seized on the national reckoning over racial injustice to argue Democratic leaders are allowing lawlessness to prevail in cities from coast to coast. He and others described cities wracked by violence, though protests in most locations have been largely peaceful. President Donald Trump made a brief appearance as Pence concluded. Trump will address the convention’s finale Thursday night.

(AP)  Protests in Oakland, California, over the shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin turned violent late Wednesday night. The Oakland Police Department tweeted that 600 to 700 people took part in the protests where, “numerous fires (were) set, dozens of windows broken, (and) multiple businesses vandalized.” Protesters threw objects at officers but none were injured, the department said. Several people were arrested, the tweet said. Jacob Blake, 29, was shot multiple times — apparently in the back while three of his children looked on — by a Kenosha police officer on Sunday.

 

(AP)  The World Health Organization’s chief for Europe has warned COVID-19 is a “tornado with a long tail” and says increased case counts among young people could ultimately passed on to more vulnerable older people and cause an uptick in deaths. Dr. Hans Kluge said younger people are likely to come into closer contact with the elderly as the weather cools in Europe. Kluge said 32 out of 55 state parties and territories in WHO’s European region have seen a 14-day incidence rate increase of more than 10%.But he also suggested health authorities and other officials are better positioned and more prepared than in February, when the continent was on the cusp of a huge surge in cases and deaths.

 

BEIJING (AP) — Major global stock markets are mostly lower as investors look ahead to a speech by the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman. London and Frankfurt opened lower while Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul retreated. Shanghai and Australia rose. Futures for Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index and the Dow were off 0.2%. Markets have recovered most of this year’s losses, driven by strong gains for tech giants that investors expect to do well despite the coronavirus pandemic. Forecasters expect Fed chairman Jerome Powell to talk about inflation and the importance of Congress providing more economic aid.