– Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Oct 1

CSi Weather….

..FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM CDT FRIDAY…includes Barnes County

* WHAT…Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost
formation.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.

* IMPACTS…Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if
left uncovered.

Forecast

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Areas of frost after midnight.

Lows in the mid 30s. North winds around 5 mph shifting to the southeast after midnight.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain showers after

midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain showers in

the morning. Highs in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 30.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum, Thursday held his weekly news conference at the state capital in Bismarck. He was joined by NDDoH Director of Disease Control Kirby Kruger and NDDoH Immunization Program Manager Molly Howell.

Burgum pointed out challenges dealing with the pandemic, and the stress North Dakotans are undergoing. He said during these and other times residents have stepped up noting floods, and the crisis in the agriculture industry.

He gave thanks to all of those dealing with the pandemic having grace, compassion and understanding.

He said COVID-19 testing is being stepped up in long term care facilities pointing out the number of residents testing positive. He said health care workers staffing is being increased, saying additional workers are filling in for those staff members having been tested positive for the virus, being in close contact with a positive person, and isolating.

Burgum update the latest stats from the State Health Department.

North Dakota health officials reported a new daily high for COVID-19 hospitalizations on Thursday, along with nine more deaths. Hospital capacity is a rising concern as active cases continue to increase. Hospitalizations statewide rose to 106 on Thursday, up 17 more than a day earlier. Health officials say 373 new COVID-19 cases were reported Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in North Dakota to 22,218 since the pandemic began.

NDDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Thurs.Oct. 1, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

Barnes

New Positives 2

Total Positives 244

Active Cases 38

Recovered 206

Stutsman

Death 1 Man in his 50s from Stutsman County with underlying health conditions.

Total Deaths 4

New Positives 2

Total Positives 529

Active Cases 44

Recovered 481

On Thursday the State Health Department reported 226 COVID-19 tests have been given for Stutsman County for a positivity rate of less than 1% in the county.

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

BY THE NUMBERS

6,080 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

642,453 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

373– Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

22,218 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

6.37% – Daily Positivity Rate**

3,690 Total Active Cases

+29 Individuals from yesterday

334 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (238 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

18,272 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

106 – Currently Hospitalized

+17 – Individuals from yesterday

9 – New Deaths*** (256 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Woman in her 80s from Burleigh County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 60s from Divide County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 80s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 80s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 80s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 60s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 90s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 80s from Richland County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 50s from Stutsman County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

Adams County – 5
Barnes County – 2
Benson County – 2
Bottineau County – 2
Bowman County – 1
Burleigh County – 44
Cass County – 81
Dickey County – 38
Dunn County – 2
Eddy County – 1
Golden Valley County – 2
Grand Forks County – 7
Grant County – 1
Hettinger County – 2
LaMoure County – 6
McHenry County -1
McKenzie County – 6
McLean County – 6
Mercer County – 3
Morton County – 14
Mountrail County – 5
Pembina County – 5
Pierce County – 1
Ramsey County – 6
Renville County – 1
Richland County – 6
Rolette County – 6
Sargent County – 4
Sioux County – 3
Slope County – 4
Stark County – 18
Stutsman County – 2
Traill County – 1
Walsh County – 4
Ward County – 29
Wells County – 1
Williams County – 51

* 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.

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters).

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.
**** The actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

******Totals may be adjusted as individuals are found to live out of state, in another county, or as other information is found during investigation.

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 added that the NDDoH website’s dashboard will be update to clarify the numbers and comparisons.

With hospitalizations, he said the state’s hospital capacity is continually be monitored.

He said 14,000 “quick” testing kits are on there way to North Dakota, 220,00 expected by December this year. Those tests do not require lab testing, and shows results within 15 minutes.

He said from joining in a White House conference call, he learned that the COVID-19 vaccine trail are moving forward. He did not indicate when a safe and effective vaccine will be approved and distributed.

Burgum said, the September announcement of the county risk level changes will stay the same with the more changes being announced within the next two weeks.

He reminded residents about the NDSmart guidelines to stay safe. More information on the NDDoH website.

He added that bringing the state’s positivity rate back to five percent and maintaining that number will keep businesses and schools open.

NDDoH Director of Disease Control Kirby Kruger, pointed out studies by the CDC concerning the benefits of wearing face masks, to control the spread of the virus, citing a hair salon where employees and clients were kept safe from the virus spread, from known positive individuals.

#MASKUPND has more information.

Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) Thursday announced updated guidance for the quarantining of individuals who are identified as close contacts to COVID-19 positive individuals.

The guidance has been updated to reflect that in non-health care, non-residential settings, when the positive case and close contact have both been wearing a face covering consistently and correctly for the entire time, the close contact will not need to self-quarantine at home.

Burgum says, “This is a common-sense approach that creates an incentive for people to wear face coverings and provides for a more positive school experience for students, faculty, administrators and parents. ” Burgum said, noting the quarantine exception applies retroactively if both parties were wearing masks.

The quarantine exception includes, but may not be limited to:

Child care centers where staff and older children (age 2 or above) are able to wear a mask.
Group homes
K-12 schools and preschools
Colleges and universities
Work settings
Social interactions
Other settings where both the infected person and contact were masked during the exposure.

Kirby Kruger, an epidemiologist and director of the NDDOH Division of Disease Control, says, close contacts who meet the quarantine exception should still self-monitor, which means wearing a face covering and keeping a close eye out for any symptoms, said Kirby Kruger, an epidemiologist and director of the NDDOH Division of Disease Control.

Kruger said the updated guidelines are based on mounting evidence, evaluated by public health experts including NDDoH epidemiologists and infectious disease experts, supporting the effectiveness of masks in reducing transmission.

Kruger says, “The evidence is clear: The steps we take by wearing a mask have a direct impact on the spread of COVID-19. In addition, individuals should continue to stay home when sick, keep 6 feet of distance, wash hands frequently and sanitize frequently touched surfaces. Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep our state safe.”

With flu shots Burgum said they protect especially youth and the elderly from contracting the flu.

NDDoH Immunization Program Manager Molly Howell, everyone six months of age and older should get a vaccination, with the possible COVID-19 vaccine coming possibly this coming winter. She said having to test individuals for both COVID-1 and the flu and treating those people, will put additional stress on healthcare .

With behavior health, Burgum pointed out advances in tele-health, and its effectiveness, with the delivery improving.

The Recovery Reinvented conference will be held virtually, with nationally known addiction counselors to speak. More information on line, at recoveryreinvented.com

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Thursday announced that the Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) has reached two milestones since the program’s opening for applications in August.

As of Thursday, Commerce reported it has successfully adjudicated more than half of the applications received, totaling more than $20 million awarded to 1,000 North Dakota businesses.

Small businesses with less than 25 employees represented 80% of businesses that received ERG funds.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Thursday announced that the Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) has reached two milestones since the program’s opening for applications in August.

As of Thursday, Commerce reported it has successfully adjudicated more than half of the applications received, totaling more than $20 million awarded to 1,000 North Dakota businesses.

Small businesses with less than 25 employees represented 80% of businesses that received ERG funds.

The ERG is a grant opportunity designed by Commerce to enhance revenue in both the immediate and long-term future by growing consumer confidence for businesses that drive consumers to the marketplace.

Additional information can be found at belegendary.link/ERG.

Jamestown (CVHD) Covid-19 testing Friday October 2 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Civic Center.

2nd St NE (road over viaduct) from 2nd Ave to 5th Ave NE; also 3rd Ave NE (in front of Civic Center) will continue to be closed during these days from 8AM – 1PM.

There will be signs put in place for entrance to the Depot as well as where to enter for testing.

This will continue EVERY FRIDAY from 8AM – 1PM through December 18, 2020.

Motorists should use extreme caution in this area.

Questions regarding testing; please contact Central Valley Health at 252-8130.

Appointment are not required but those who wish to receive a test are required to complete the online screening questionnaire in advance, which can be found here: https://testreg.nd.gov/. Completing the online screening questionnaire does not guarantee you a test.

Jamestown (CSi) On Thursday afternoon, a $10,000 donation was made by Don Wilhelm, Inc. to the Anne Carlsen Center for their Pathway to the Future campaign.

ACC Associate Campaign Director Mary Lou Urquhart stated, “It is with great pleasure that we accept this gracious gift from Don Wilhelm, Inc. This campaign, lending fruition to the dream of a future home for the Anne Carlsen Center, has seen phenomenal support from the Jamestown community.”

The statement from the Anne Carlsen Center said, “For 60 years, Don Wilhelm, Inc. has been doing business in Jamestown. Their collaboration with the Anne Carlsen Center, is yet another example of the ongoing philanthropy of the Wilhelm family giving back to the communities they serve and beyond.

The Wilhelm’s stated that, “Growing up in Jamestown, the family has had the opportunity to know Dr. Anne Carlsen personally. Therefore, providing support to keep her legacy moving forward was an easy decision for the family.”

Having been a community partner with the Anne Carlsen Center for nearly 35 years, the Wilhelm’s have built a legacy of generosity to enhance the lives of the individuals we serve. With the continued support of businesses that have nearly the same longevity as the Anne Carlsen Center, we will strive forward together; building community, nurturing abilities, and changing lives.

Today we are most thankful that Don Wilhelm Inc., is one of the longest, loyal contributors to the mission of the Anne Carlsen Center, making the world a more inclusive place where independence is a gift to all.”

Jamestown (JRMC) — Drinking a “Razbooby Squeeze” could help change and save lives.

Brockopp Brewing, in Valley City, is hosting a Helpful Virtual Happy Hour live at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 in support of Jamestown Regional Medical Center. The event includes education about cancer and urology care at JRMC. All proceeds benefit the JRMC Cancer Center.

Breast and prostate cancer remain the highest occurring cancers in North Dakota, according to North Dakota’s cancer registry.

In partnership with Brockopp Brewing, the JRMC Foundation will have an educational Zoom to share information about early detection and cancer treatment options. Speakers include:

Christopher Cost, JRMC Urologist
Jeff Wiisanen, Oncologist, Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center & JRMC Cancer Center
Jason Schaffer, JRMC Radiology (3D Mammography & No Excuses)

Nichole Brockop says, “One of our goals as small business owners is to support other small businesses and organizations that help others,” Brockopp and her husband, Scott, own Brockopp Brewing. she adds, “That is a vision we have had since the talking stages of opening the brewery. We are excited to host this event to raise cancer awareness and share local options for care and treatments our community and surrounding areas.”

Additional Valley City event sponsors include:

Alley Beans & Roasterie is featuring a unique “pink drink” for October.
Wild Prairie Bakery has a “pink donut” for October.

JRMC Foundation Director Lisa Jackson, “Eliminating travel for care is important,” said . “Since it opened, the JRMC Cancer Center saved patients more than 244,000 miles. We are here from you. This happy hour allows you to ‘virtually’ meet our providers and ask questions about care.”

All registered attendees will receive a chance to win a fun October-themed door prize.

To help care for patients, Brockopp Brewing is also featuring a “Razbooby Squeeze” sour beer. A portion of sales benefits the JRMC Cancer Center.

Jackson adds, “We are grateful to Brockopp Brewing and other local businesses helping JRMC care for its patients. We hope people can attend to learn more about services close to home and to support a worthy cause.”

Because we know how important it is to have care close to home, JRMC also has a specialty clinic in Valley City. JRMC Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Timothy Volk and Audiologist, Marissa M. Leese, AuD are now seeing patients.

Jamestown (UJ) University of Jamestown is once again hosting its annual Character in Leadership Conference. The event is scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 8 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Harold Newman Arena, as well as various locations throughout campus. It is free and open to the public.

Director of Character in Leadership, Liz Hunt says, “The 2020 Character in Leadership speaker line-up is slated to address many of the issues facing leaders during this time of uncertainty. No matter our leadership role, the current times call for leadership fueled by empathy, authenticity, and hope. Each speaker brings experience, understanding, and practical advice as a front-line leader.”

Greg Hawks, a Corporate Cultural Specialist and keynote speaker at the conference, will explore how to shape an environment where everyone gets to contribute their best, daily.

Expanding on the keynote speech, Liz Hunt adds, “Mr. Hawks is a power-house of dynamic energy and creative vision for leadership. Attendees will leave with solid leadership practice ideas and a sense of empowerment to meet the daily demands of leading in a complex world.”

Breakout sessions will each cover leadership ideas and experiences related to various professional fields. Breakout speakers include Blaze Culliton, ACE Continuous Improvement Leader at Collins Aerospace; Tonya Perkins, Administrator of the North Dakota State Hospital; and Dr. Laura Lynch Professor and Director of Instrumental Music at University of Jamestown.

In-depth details on breakout session topics, as well as more information on the conference, are available at uj.edu/CILC.

Established in 1883, the University of Jamestown is a private, liberal arts university granting Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Science in Nursing degrees, as well as Master’s Degrees in Education, Leadership, Clinical Counseling, and a Fargo-based Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. With the Jamestown Journey to Success, emphasis is placed not only on preparing students academically in their chosen areas of study, but also on preparing them through a student-centered experience. For more information, visit uj.edu.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Police and Fire Departments are hosting the 4th Annual Valley City Battle of the Badges blood drive, scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th and Wednesday, October 14th from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm at Stoudt-Ross Ford Showroom. They are committed to finding at least 188 volunteers to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Come out and show support for your community’s first responders and vote for Team Fire or Team Law to win.

Volunteers will be reaching out asking healthy donors to make an appointment, walk-ins are welcome too or call Vitalant @ 877-258-4825 to make your appointment today.

Everyone that donates blood will receive a free key chain flashlight sponsored by Stoudt-Ross Ford. All donors are asked to wear a mask or cloth-based face covering while at the blood drive and appointments are highly recommended to expedite the donation process. Every successful donor will also get to see COVID-19 antibody test results in the Wellness tab of their donor profile within two weeks.

Jamestown (NDFU) The North Dakota Safety Council’s (NDSC) efforts to reduce the amount of ag related injuries and deaths in the state just got a boost from Farmers Union Insurance (FUI) in the form of an ag safety trailer. The trailer will house safety education modules and hands-on activities covering grain dust explosions, chemical and respiratory irritation of the eyes and lungs, equipment handling, ATVs, fall protection, and more.

Lynae Hanson, assistant executive director of NDSC, says, “We’ve wanted to expand our course lineup to include ag safety for many years, considering North Dakota’s population and the hazardous work performed by the ag industry. The trailer will allow us to do just that with hands-on learning that is both memorable and potentially life saving. Even better, we can take the trailer directly into the field to expand learning, rather than farmers and ranchers having to travel to us. Nearly one quarter of North Dakota’s population is employed in the agriculture sector. Of the 35 occupational deaths that occurred in 2018 in the state, 12 were in the agriculture industry, said Hanson. In that same year, 246 injury claims were filed, totaling more than $1.3 million. “Agriculture is an industry we need to reach to fulfill our organization’s mission..

Mark Anderson, chief executive officer of FUI, agrees: “We want to do everything we can to prevent farmers and ranchers from being injured on the job. Awareness of what can happen in the blink of an eye begins with education, which we fully support to prevent the unthinkable.”

Anderson noted that Farmers Union Industries, based in Redwood Falls, Minn., is building the trailer that will be donated to NDSC by FUI.

ABOUT FARMERS UNION INSURANCE
Farmers Union Insurance provides insurance products and services to individuals, families and businesses with over 325 captive and independent agents in North Dakota, Utah and Arkansas.

ABOUT THE NORTH DAKOTA SAFETY COUNCIL
The North Dakota Safety Council is a private non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives

UPDATE

Bismarck (NDDOT) All hay bales on North Dakota highway rights of way, must be removed by Sunday, November 1, 2020. Hay bales remaining on rights of way after November 1, will be removed as directed by the NDDOT District Engineer.

The bales need to be removed for snow management and safety reasons. North Dakota Century Code prohibits hay from being placed in the right of way except on the outer edge. Large round bales must not be placed on in-slopes or within 60 feet from the outside edge of the driving lane.

In sports…

Bismarck (NDGF) Legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 years and younger will be able to hunt pheasants statewide this weekend.

The Stutsman County Wildlife Federation (SCWF) will be sponsoring a youth pheasant hunt on Sunday, October 4 starting at 1-p.m.

The daily limit is three with a possession limit of six. Shooting hours for the youth pheasant season will be 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The Stutsman County hunt will be just south of Jamestown.

Those wishing to participate in the youth pheasant hunt with the SCWF, call Ken Anderson at 701-320-3318

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Rhode Island say a grand jury has indicted a North Dakota man accused of participating in a scheme to sell counterfeit clothing to the U.S. military and other buyers. The U.S. attorney’s office says 50-year-old Terry Roe conspired with others to have items produced in China and Pakistan that had fake labels with genuine U.S. trademarks. The scheme involved more than $20 million worth of goods sold to military and government buyers in Rhode Island and elsewhere. Two New York City men have already pleaded guilty in connection to the scheme. A message left with Roe’s attorney was not immediately returned.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy continues to improve in nine Midwest and Plains states, but business remains slower than before the coronavirus pandemic began. The overall index for the region improved to 65.1 in September from August’s already strong 60. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said even with the positive growth in the economy, manufacturing output remains well below the level it was at before states began imposing restrictions because of the coronavirus. The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck marketing agency is rolling out a campaign meant to help stem the tide of rising COVID-19 cases in central North Dakota as the state leads the nation in cases per capita. Agency MABU was hired by a governor’s task force in Burleigh and Morton counties that is nearly six weeks into its effort and frustrated by the lack of progress in the state’s virus hotspot. MABU has created messages designed to leverage North Dakotans’ strong sense of freedom. That’s the same thing that Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has said would make it difficult to impose a mask mandate.

In world and national news…

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Firefighters are warily watching for “violent” winds expected in California’s wine country Thursday that could fan the flames of a massive wildfire. The Glass Fire north of San Francisco has destroyed more than 140 homes and is threatening thousands more in a small town known for hot springs, mud baths and wineries. More fire crews and equipment were deployed overnight in and around Calistoga, a town of 5,000 people in the hills of Napa County, after a forecast called for strong winds amid extreme and low humidity. At least 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze in Napa and Sonoma counties.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Two big mountain wildfires in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming are growing after burning dozens of cabins and other structures. A forecast calling for mostly dry, breezy weather offers little help in the fight against the Cameron Peak Fire 20 miles west of Fort Collins, Colorado, or the Mullen Fire 100 miles west of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They are two of the Rocky Mountain region’s biggest fires in recent years. Each is burning through rugged and thick pine forest dotted with communities of cabins. The two fires as of Thursday had burned at least 155 cabins and other structures.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American Medical Association is asking the Supreme Court to strike down a Trump administration rule that’s had a far-reaching impact on the nation’s family planning program. It prohibits clinics from referring women for abortions. The move Thursday by the nation’s largest doctors’ group came after two federal appeals courts split on the legality of the rule. The recent death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has prompted speculation that a more conservative court could overturn the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. But the changes to Title X, as the federal family planning program is known, are already in place — and getting less attention.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Trump administration can move forward with its lawsuit against former national security adviser John Bolton over that his tell-all book, which officials say contains classified information. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth denied Bolton’s request to dismiss the suit. The ruling came one week after Lamberth heard arguments in the case. Lamberth in June denied the government’s request for an injunction to block the book from being published, given that thousands of copies had already been distributed. But he also scolded Bolton for moving ahead with the book’s publication without waiting for formal, written authorization that the book had been cleared

NEW YORK (AP) — After months of avoiding direct contact with voters because of the pandemic, Joe Biden’s campaign has decided to resume in-person canvassing efforts across several battleground states in the coming days. The decision comes amid growing concern from Democratic officials on the ground in key states who feared that Biden was ceding a significant strategic advantage to President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, who have been aggressively courting voters at their doorsteps for months. Biden campaign officials detailed the new effort for The Associated Press. The Democrat’s campaign this weekend will dispatch several hundred newly trained volunteers to engage voters across Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Calls to defund police departments have not had widespread success across the U.S. While a handful of left-leaning cities have proposed structural reforms, most cuts to law enforcement agencies have been modest so far. Those cuts are being driven as much by shrinking government revenue related to the coronavirus pandemic as from the calls to rethink public safety. Defunding police became a rallying cry for activists after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and has become a topic in the presidential race. But the boldest proposals have mostly been pushed aside for now in favor of more incremental changes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is backing a $400 per week pandemic jobless benefit and is dangling the possibility of a COVID-19 relief bill with a price tag above $1.5 trillion in last-ditch, pre-election negotiations. An offer by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on unemployment benefits is higher than many Republicans would like in any potential COVID deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Significant, possibly unbridgeable hurdles remain. But the talks have generated momentum as the Trump administration presses for an agreement. On Air Force One Wednesday night, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Trump made an offer that was “extremely generous and certainly above the $1.5 trillion that has been articulated to date.”