– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Oct 14

CSi Weather…

Forecast…

TODAY…Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain showers in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Windy.

Highs in the lower 50s. South winds around 10 mph increasing to

southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 50 mph in the

morning, then shifting to the northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts

to around 50 mph in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Colder. Lows in the upper 20s.

Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 10 to

20 mph with gusts to around 40 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. West

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. Northwest winds

15 to 20 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow in

the evening, then chance of snow after midnight. Lows in the

upper 20s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of snow

possibly mixed with rain. Highs in the upper 30s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of snow in the

afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows around 20.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain and snow in

the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s.

State health officials say a sixth straight day of record active COVID-19 cases put North Dakota’s number of current infections at 4,600. The update confirmed 517 positive tests in the last day and 12 deaths, increasing the number of fatalities due to the coronavirus to 357. The state’s rate of positive tests has risen steadily in the last week and came in over 10% Tuesday. The deaths included four people in Bottineau County, located in the northeastern part of the state. Of active cases, Cass County is tops at 978, followed by Burleigh with 745, Ward with 317, Grand Forks with 310, Stark with 266, Morton with 264 and Williams with 259.

NDDoH COVID-19 Stats

Tues Oct 13, 2020

Posted 10 a.m.

Barnes

New Positives +5

Total Positives 274

Active Cases 29

Recovered 242

Stutsman

New Positives 15

Total Positives 608

Active Cases 81

Recovered 526

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

BY THE NUMBERS

5,452 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

723,102 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

517 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

28,245 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

10.13% – Daily Positivity Rate**

4,600 Total Active Cases

+54 Individuals from yesterday

442 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (277 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

23,288 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

158 – Currently Hospitalized

+0 – Individuals from yesterday

12 – New Deaths*** (357 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Woman in her 90s from Bottineau County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 80s from Bottineau County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 80s from Bottineau County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 90s from Bottineau County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 80s from Bowman County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 90s from McHenry County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 90s from Morton County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 80s from Mountrail County with underlying health conditions.
Man in his 70s from Walsh County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 80s from Ward County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 100s from Ward County with underlying health conditions.
Woman in her 80s from Williams County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDAY

Adams County – 2
Barnes County – 5
Benson County – 2
Bottineau County – 4
Burleigh County – 109
Cass County – 160
Dickey County – 5
Divide County – 4
Dunn County – 2
Eddy County – 1
Emmons County – 3
Foster County – 10
Grand Forks County – 37
Grant County – 1
Griggs County – 2
Hettinger County – 2
McIntosh County – 2
McKenzie County – 5
McLean County – 6
Mercer County – 4
Morton County – 32
Mountrail County – 10
Nelson County – 6
Oliver County – 3
Pembina County – 2
Pierce County – 1
Ramsey County – 5
Ransom County – 3
Richland County – 2
Rolette County – 4
Sargent County – 2
Sioux County – 10
Stark County – 5
Stutsman County – 15
Towner County – 1
Traill County – 7
Walsh County – 6
Ward County – 20
Wells County – 2
Williams County – 15

* 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. There is a lag in the time deaths are reported to the NDDoH.
**** 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.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) has approved a Flex Pace loan for T & K Early Intervention.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 JSDC, Business Development Director, Corry Shevlin said, T & K Early Interventions is located in the former Schmidt Chiropractic Clinic building in Downtown Jamestown.

T&K provides speech, language and swallowing issue evaluation and treatment services in Jamestown.

The Flex Pace program provides a loan from JSDC with a grant from the Bank of North Dakota to provide an interest reduction for a new or expanding business. Corry said the Flex Pace loan will be used to buy down loan interest, on the JSDC portion of the original loan.

In other business, the JSDC approved an emergency disaster plan for it and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, developed by the Chamber, in conjunction with the JSDC and Stutsman County Emergency Manager’s Office.

Also approved at this month’s meeting was revisions in the JSDC Personnel Policy.

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.

Vitalant is the sole blood provider for 68 area hospitals in the Dakotas and Western Minnesota. There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community.

Jamestown (Chamber) Jamestown area voters will have the opportunity to view a candidate forum.

The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, Local & Regional Issues Committee sponsors a Meeting The Candidates Forum with District 12 candidates in conjunction with CSi Cable’s Meet Your Candidates programs.

The forum will be held with the candidates in a virtual presentation on Weds Oct 14 live at 7pm, to stream live at Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel and also air live on CSi TV 10 The Replay Channel.

Replays will be shown on CSi Cable with the dates times, and channels to be announced, and the Chamber will offer the forum live and replays on their web site.

Jamestown (JRMC) — Jamestown Regional Medical Center has ranked No. 56 in the Provider/Insurer category of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work for 2020.

This is the fourth year JRMC has made the list of Best Places to Work in healthcare nationwide.

The Best Places to Work distinction is given to 150 organizations based on how well they “empower employees to provide patients and customers with the best possible care, products and services.” This year, Modern Healthcare also scored organizations on pandemic response in addition to more traditional measures, such as benefits and internal communication.

Ricki Ramlo, Chief Operating Officer, says The Best Places to Work designation honors organizations who create a value-based culture of high-performing and resilient teams. At JRMC, it reinforces the medical center’s vision to be the best rural hospital in the country for patients to receive care, providers to practice and employees to work.

JRMC President & CEO, Mike Delfs says, “While the work we do is not for awards or praise, we are grateful for the recognition. It’s simply one more example of why JRMC remains a destination for care in the state of North Dakota.”

This award benefits the community because satisfied and engaged employees offer superior patient-centered care.

Ms Ramlo adds, “Each JRMC employee is a critical stakeholder and prides themselves in the patient experience. The BPW designation highlights that commitment to our patients and community. The legendary teams at JRMC are caring on for this community.”

Aurora Aguilar, Modern Healthcare’s editor., says, making the Best Places to Work list is rewarding in a normal year, said Being one of the Best Places to Work in 2020 is extraordinary.

“It has been an especially trying year for the world, and healthcare in particular as COVID-19 ravages our communities and workplaces. “The organizations recognized on this year’s list rose to the top and continued to be a source of strength for their teammates. They have seen their colleagues fall ill to the virus and struggled with the economic impact of the pandemic. The loyalty and trust between employers and their workers is being put to the test now more than ever. We congratulate the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for continuing to serve their workforce and communities during such an unprecedented time.”

Jamestown (CSi) The annual Roughrider Rodeo finals in Jamestown, is set outdoors, at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds, from the Civic Center, to allow for social distancing.

Events include, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, breakaway, team roping, steer wrestling along with some junior events. The state champion will be crowned.

The rodeo will be October 16th through the 18th at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds. For more information, contact Mary Carlson at 701-624-5226 or email mdcarlson@srt.com.

Bismarck (NDDOT) NDDOT informs motorists that construction work at the Medina Rest Area on Interstate 94 West, seven miles west of Medina, is scheduled to begin Thursday, October 15. During the project, the rest area will be temporarily closed.

The repaving project is expected to be complete Friday afternoon and the rest area will reopen at that time.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation would like to remind motorists to slow down and use caution throughout the work zone.

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/.

Bismarck (NDDOT) – In an effort to save lives, law enforcement agencies across the state worked overtime in September for the statewide distracted driving enforcement campaign, U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

A total of 557 citations were attributed to the added patrols. Of the total citations, 296 were issued for distracted driving, 50 for other traffic citations (i.e. disobeying traffic signals, equipment violations), 80 citations for speeding, 24 citations for suspended/revoked license, 15 citations for being an uninsured motorist, three drug-related arrests and 20 citations for not wearing a seat belt.

Although distracted driving takes on many forms, texting is one of the most common. Texting while driving is a behavior so dangerous that drivers are 23 times more at risk of a crash or near-crash event. Text messaging is prohibited for all drivers in North Dakota.

Every driver and vehicle occupant in North Dakota can help meet the state’s Vision Zero goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads by taking personal responsibility when driving. This means wearing a seat belt at all times, transporting children in child passenger safety seats appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight, driving distraction-free, driving sober (i.e. not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs) and obeying all posted speed limits. High visibility enforcement for traffic safety is one element of a collaborative effort to reach the zero goal.

Learn more about traffic safety initiatives at VisionZero.ND.gov or join the conversation on the Vision Zero ND Facebook or Twitter page.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s attorney general says that if a Republican state House candidate who died earlier this month wins one of two seats up for election, the GOP would choose his replacement unless enough district voters call for a special election. Fifty-five-year-old David Andahl died on Oct. 5 after he had been sick with COVID-19 for several days. Andahl and fellow District 8 House candidate Dave Nehring won the Republicans endorsements and voters’ nominations in the June primary. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s opinion says that if Andahl is elected to the post, the office would be deemed vacant. Under state law, a committee representing the party of the previous office-holder would fill the opening by appointment.

In sports…

High School Volleyball Polls

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

CLASS A

Team Rec. Pts.

Century (12) 9-0 642. West Fargo (1) 19-2 533. Jamestown 7-2 364. Fargo Davies 18-4 285. Mandan 6-3 10
Others Receiving Votes (RV): GF Red River (10-4) 2, Shanley (7-4) 1, Fargo North (10-10) 1.

CLASS B

Team Rec. Pts.

Linton-HMB (6) 13-0 1182. Oakes (2) 12-0 1123. Thompson (3) 12-1 1034. Langdon/Edmore/Munich (2) 9-2 965. Dickinson Trinity 11-1 85
6. Northern Cass 8-1 59

7. Rugby 11-2 47

8. Flasher 12-0 43

9. Grafton 10-2 33

10. Beulah 9-2 4

10. Kindred 5-2 4

Others Receiving Votes (RV): Heart River (10-2) 3, Central Cass (9-3) 3, Carrington (6-3) 2, Velva (10-2) (10-2) 1.

High School Volleyball…

Tuesday…

West Fargo Sheyenne DEF Valley City in straight sets 25-21, 25-9, 25-21.

Oakes DEF Carrington 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-27).

MLB-NLCS-BRAVES/DODGERS

Braves get past Dodgers for 2-0 lead

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have taken a two-games-to-none lead in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freddie Freeman homered and had three RBIs as the Braves built a seven-run lead before holding off the Dodgers, 8-7. The Braves went ahead on Freeman’s two-run homer in the fourth, one inning before a four-run rally put them in control.

Dodgers emergency starter and loser Tony Gonsolin (GAHN’-sah-lihn) was sailing until Ronald Acuna Jr. led off the fourth with a walk and scored on Freeman’s second homer of the postseason. Gonsolin was charged with five runs on three hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings.

Clayton Kershaw was supposed to start for L.A., but he was scratched due to back spasms. Manager Dave Roberts hopes to use his ace in Game 4.

Things got worse for the Dodgers in the fifth as Cristian Pache (pah-SHAY’) laced an RBI double and scored on Freeman’s single. Travis d’Arnaud (dahr-NOH’) followed with a bases-loaded walk against Pedro Baez, who also surrendered a sacrifice fly by Ozzie Albies. Cody Bellinger made a great catch to prevent Albies’ ball from clearing the bases.

Albies later belted a ninth-inning home run to make it 8-3. The round-tripper proved to be the winning margin after the Braves’ bullpen surrendered four runs in the ninth.

The Dodgers trailed 7-0 until Corey Seager blasted a three-run homer in the seventh. Seager also doubled home a ninth-inning run before Max Muncy’s two-run blast off Josh Tomlin got Los Angeles within 8-6.

Braves closer Mark Melancon (meh-LAN’-suhn) entered to pick up the last out, but he surrendered an RBI triple by Cody Bellinger before retiring A.J. Pollock to end the game.

Braves starter Ian Anderson was lifted after throwing 85 pitches and allowing just one hit over four innings.

Tyler Matzek followed Anderson and worked two innings of shutout relief to pick up the win.

Game 3 is Wednesday, but the Braves will play the rest of the postseason without left fielder Adam Duvall. He was put on the injured list with an injury to his left side, the result of a swing during the second inning of Game 1.

Johan Camargo has replaced Duvall on the roster.

MLB-ALCS

Rays take 3-0 lead in ALCS

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are one victory away from their first World Series appearance in 12 years after grabbing a three-games-to-none lead in the AL Championship Series.

The Rays posted a 5-2 victory over the Astros by erupting for five runs in the sixth inning with help from another error by second baseman Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vay). Joey Wendle put Tampa Bay on top with a two-run single and pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe came through with a two-run double to close out the rally.

Ryan Yarbrough picked up the victory, leaving the game after Michael Brantley led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run. Altuve also homered in the first for the Astros, but his third miscue in two games helped Tampa Bay take command of the series.

Diego Castillo issued one-out walks to Abraham Toro and George Springer before fanning Altuve. Brantley’s fly ball to center allowed Castillo to pick up the save.

Losing pitcher Jose Urquidy (ur-KEE’-dee) left the game during the Rays’ rally, charged with one earned run and four hits over five-plus innings.

NFL-TITANS/BILLS

Titans hammer Bills to move to 4-0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have won a battle of unbeatens.

The Titans showed no rust after a two-week layoff caused by two dozen positive COVID-19 tests within the organization, cruising to a 42-16 win over the Bills.

Derrick Henry ran for a pair of touchdowns and had a scoring grab for the 4-0 Titans. Ryan Tannehill rushed 10 yards for a touchdown and completed 21 of his 28 passes for 195 yards and three TDs. Tannehill wasn’t intercepted or sacked.

Henry finished with 57 yards on the ground in addition to his three touchdowns.

Josh Allen threw for 263 yards and two scores but was picked off twice as the Bills fell to 4-1.

NFL-VIRUS TESTING

NFL will start testing for COVID-19 on game days

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL will begin PCR testing for COVID-19 on game days starting Sunday. The league’s latest COVID-19 protocols also call for mandatory use of masks in walkthroughs and only play-callers will be permitted to wear face shields in lieu of masks or gaiters on the sideline.

The updates released Tuesday came several hours before Tennessee was scheduled to host Buffalo in its first game since an outbreak shut down team facilities and forced the schedule to be rearranged. The Titans had eight people test positive Sept. 29 and the total reached 24 players and personnel.

NFL-NEWS

Saints ponder LSU offer to play in front of fans

UNDATED (AP) — The New Orleans Saints are mulling over an offer to play their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, where they would be able to have fans in attendance.

Saints’ senior vice president for communications Greg Bensel confirmed the school’s offer to host the team’s home games, saying the NFL is aware of the exploration of such an option.

The Saints had place a request with New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell to allow ticketed fans to occupy about 25% percent of the Superdome’s 73,000 seats while wearing masks and following other social distancing guidelines. That request was made before Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but Cantrell denied that request.

Also around the NFL:

— The Jets have released disgruntled running back Le’Veon (LEH’-vee-ahn) Bell, who has clashed with head coach Adam Gase during their two years together. Bell’s latest frustrations were evident when he liked a few Twitter posts in which some suggested he should be used more in the passing game.

— The Jets have placed wide receiver Chris Hogan on the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain. Hogan will be sidelined at least the next three games after being injured in New York’s 30-10 loss to Arizona on Sunday.

— The Rams have placed promising rookie safety Jordan Fuller on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Fuller unexpectedly won a starting job out of training camp with the Rams, who picked him in the sixth round out of Ohio State.

— A person familiar with the situation says Dolphins defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is expected to miss the rest of the season with a biceps injury. The injury will end Godchaux’s streak of 41 consecutive starts Sunday when Miami plays the Jets.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-FLORIDA

Florida-LSU game in jeopardy following Gator outbreak

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida football coach Dan Mullen wanted a full house in The Swamp for Saturday’s game against LSU. Now there’s the possibility that the Gators won’t be able to show up.

The Gators have paused all team activities following “an increase in positive COVID tests among players.” That puts Saturday’s home game against defending national champion LSU in jeopardy.

A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press the Gators had 19 positives following Tuesday morning testing.

Athletic director Scott Stricklin said the situation will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department’s sports medicine staff Wednesday.

The shutdown came three days after Mullen’s eyebrow-raising comments about wanting 90,000 fans at Florida Field to create a better home-field advantage against the Tigers.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOLF-JOHNSON

Dustin Johnson out of CJ Cup after positive coronavirus test

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek because of a positive test for the coronavirus.

The world’s top-ranked golfer is the 11th player and the biggest name to receive a positive test since the PGA Tour resumed its schedule in June.

Johnson is the reigning PGA Tour player of the year after winning the FedEx Cup in early September. He has not played since a tie for sixth in the U.S. Open a month ago.

SOCCER-RONALDO-VIRUS

Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has become the latest international soccer soccer star to test positive for the coronavirus.

The Portuguese soccer federation says Ronaldo tested positive while with his country’s national team. Portugal’s coach says Ronaldo is “doing great” and has no symptoms. He has been dropped from the country’s Nations League match against Sweden on Wednesday.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE FOOTBALL-BOWDEN

Bowden says he’s improving after contracting COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden says he’s recovering from COVID-19. The 90-year-old Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat he’s “doing good.”

Bowden has been hospitalized for a week in Tallahassee. He told the paper he’s walking around his room. He said the virus hit him hard, giving him a fever, but that is now behind him.

Bowden coached Florida State for 34 years, retiring after the 2009 season. He’s second on the career victories list in major college football with 357, behind only the late Joe Paterno of Penn State. He won national championships in 1993 and 1999.

NHL-BRUINS

Pastrnak, Marchand undergo surgery

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins could be without two-thirds of their top line when the next NHL season starts.

The team says David Pastrnak (PAHS’-tur-nak) isn’t expected to play until mid-March following an operation to repair a torn labrum in his right hip Sept. 16. Brad Marchand won’t be good to go until roughly mid-February after having a sports hernia repaired Sept. 14.

Pastrnak led the Bruins with 48 goals and 95 points last season. Marchand paced the club with 59 assists and was second with 87 points.

NHL-SHARKS-MARLEAU

Marleau returns to Sharks in pursuit of games played record

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Patrick Marleau is back with the San Jose Sharks as he tries to break Gordie Howe’s NHL record for games played.

The 41-year-old Marleau has accepted a one-year, $700,000 package that returns him to the Sharks for a third time. The 22-year veteran has scored 562 goals and 1,188 points in 1,723 games since being taken second overall by San Jose in the 1997 NHL draft.

Marleau needs to take the ice for 45 more games to break Howe’s NHL mark. Howe also played 419 games in the WHA.

San Jose also brought back forward Matt Nieto on a one-year, $700,000.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett returns to Capitol Hill for a third day of confirmation hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senators are digging deeper into the conservative judge’s outlook on abortion, health care and a potentially disputed presidential election. The conservative judge has been giving hours of testimony, but few specifics. Democrats are running out of time to stop Republicans from ensuring President Donald Trump’s nominee is quickly confirmed. Wednesday’s session is set to be Barrett’s last. Underscoring the Republicans’ confidence, Sen. Lindsey Graham set an initial committee vote on the nomination for Thursday, the last day of hearings.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A ballot drive has turned in more than 483,000 signatures for an initiative to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ people in Michigan by amending the state’s civil rights law. If election officials determine roughly 340,000 are valid, the bill would be placed before the Republican-led Legislature, where similar legislation has long stalled. If lawmakers didn’t adopt the measure within 40 days, it would go to a statewide vote in November 2022. Organizers say the development is a milestone. The proposal would revise the 1976 law to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.

(AP) The World Bank says it has approved $12 billion in financing to help developing countries buy and distribute coronavirus vaccines, tests, and treatments. The bank said in a statement late Tuesday that the aim is to support the vaccination of up to 1 billion people and to signal to researchers and the pharmaceutical industry that people living in poor countries need access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. It is part of a wider World Bank Group package of up to $160 billion to help developing countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank said its pandemic response programs are reaching 111 countries.

(AP)Major world markets have turned higher after worries over the pandemic snapped a four-day winning streak on Wall Street. Shares rose in London, Paris and Tokyo on Wednesday. Coronavirus counts are rising at a worrying pace in many countries, while a possible safety issue has led officials to pause a COVID-19 antibody therapy being developed by Eli Lilly. Johnson & Johnson had to temporarily pause its own study of a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Hopes for more help for the U.S. economy remain tenuous, with Congress and the White House divided over the scale and structure of a stimulus package.

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry and local officials say two of the country’s army helicopters have collided, killing nine Afghan service members. Wednesday’s statement blamed the crash on technical problems. The crash comes amid renewed fighting against Taliban insurgents in the southern Helmand province. Over the past week, Taliban fighters have launched coordinated attacks in different parts of Helmand that have intensified in recent days. Afghanistan’s acting defense minister visited Helmand’s provincial capital Wednesday to discuss the security situation. Earlier this week, American forces carried out several airstrikes in the province in support of Afghan security forces under attack by the Taliban. Thousands of Afghan civilians have fled because of the fighting.