– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Nov 6

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 60 to 65. East winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. East winds

around 10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of drizzle in the morning,

then chance of rain and slight chance of thunderstorms in the

afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 25 mph with

gusts to around 40 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

evening. Lows in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 20.

.VETERANS DAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

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

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

Jamestown (CSi) The Road closures on 2nd St SW, including the intersections of 1st Ave S and 2nd Ave SW will remain closed through today for utility work.

Motorists should use extreme caution in this area and use alternate routes as necessary.

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Thursday at the State Capital in Bismarck. was joined by , Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones.

Burgum said the Thursday report from the NDDoH was the worst for North Dakota in categories listed for COVID-19, including growing hospitalizations.

He said the uptick in the spread of the virus is not only statewide, or nationally but worldwide. He noted with indoor gatherings growing with cold weather inside conditions add to the virus thriving, concerning humidity, and air flow conditions.

Burgum pointed out regular phone visits with city and county leaders, who are sharing ideas. He noted localities adding face mask recommendations for citizens.

He added that with vaccine development, the state is planning for the distribution to state residents, when it becomes available.

He said getting a flu shot is extremely important, in the COVID-19 fight, and reminded residents about mitigating the spread, by social distancing, and wearing face masks, while interacting within core groups.

North Dakota health officials are reporting that hospitalizations due to complications from the coronavirus reached another new high after increasing by five in the last day. The Wednesday report released on Thursday, showed that 220 people were being treated in medical facilities across the state. There were 14 staffed intensive care beds and 188 staffed inpatient beds available in North Dakota, according to state data. The increase in patients came on day when the state reported 12 additional deaths, lifting the total number of fatalities to 596. The COVID Tracking Project reports that the death count is the 15th highest per capita in the country at about 75 deaths per 100,000 people.

NDDoH COVID-19 Stats for Thurs. Nov 5, 2020

11- am.

Barnes

New Positives 30

Total Positives 467

Active Cases 90

Recovered 375

Stutsman

New Positives 64

Total Positives 1285

Active Cases 344

Recovered 931

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

BY THE NUMBERS

9,723 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

910,816 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

1,540 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

49,837 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

17.15% – Daily Positivity Rate**

9,224 Total Active Cases

+653 Individuals from yesterday

854 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (680 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

40,017 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

231 – Currently Hospitalized

+11 – Individuals from yesterday

29 – New Deaths*** (596 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Man in his 50s from Benson County.
Woman in her 70s from Burleigh County.
Woman in her 60s from Burleigh County.
Woman in her 90s from Burleigh County.
Woman in her 40s from Cass County.
Man in his 80s from Dickey County.
Man in his 80s from Dickey County.
Man in his 70s from Grand Forks County.
Man in his 50s from Grand Forks County.
Man in his 80s from Grand Forks County.
Woman in her 90s from Hettinger County.
Man in his 70s from Kidder County.
Man in his 70s from Morton County.
Man in his 80s from Morton County.
Woman in her 90s from Nelson County.
Man in his 80s from Pierce County.
Woman in her 80s from Towner County.
Man in his 80s from Traill County.
Woman in her 50s from Traill County.
Man in his 80s from Traill County.
Woman in her 100s from Ward County.
Man in his 90s from Ward County.
Man in his 80s from Ward County.
Woman in her 90s from Ward County.
Man in his 60s from Ward County.
Man in his 80s from Ward County.
Woman in her 30s from Ward County.
Woman in her 60s from Ward County.
Man in his 80s from Williams County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

Adams County – 4
Barnes County – 30
Benson County – 14
Billings County – 1
Bottineau County – 9
Burke County – 5
Burleigh County – 214
Cass County – 266
Cavalier County – 19
Dickey County – 12
Divide County – 3
Dunn County – 5
Eddy County – 14
Emmons County – 2
Foster County – 12
Golden Valley County – 2
Grand Forks County – 101
Grant County – 2
Griggs County – 6
Hettinger County – 3
Kidder County – 1
LaMoure County – 4
McHenry County – 12
McIntosh County – 2
McKenzie County – 14
McLean County – 19
Mercer County – 13
Morton County – 84
Mountrail County – 25
Nelson County – 6
Oliver County – 3
Pembina County – 37
Pierce County – 18
Ramsey County – 38
Ransom County – 9
Richland County – 20
Rolette County – 21
Sargent County – 7
Sioux County – 7
Stark County – 64
Steele County – 2
Stutsman County – 64
Towner County – 8
Traill County – 24
Walsh County – 48
Ward County – 221
Williams County – 45

* 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.

Burgum announced changes in county risk levels, noting that none have gone down in risk, and many rose, and several remained the same.

Effective 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, the updated ND Smart Restart guidelines are as follows for counties under these risk designations:

In the area Stutsman and Barnes Counties went from yellow moderate risk to Orange High Risk levels. Kidder County moves from yellow moderate to Orange High Risk.

Foster County stays at yellow moderate risk.

Logan County move from green low risk to yellow moderate risk.

Griggs County was moved from green low risk to yellow moderate risk level.

Critical (red): Non-essential businesses closed
High (orange): 25% occupancy with a cap of 50 people (changed from non-essential businesses closed); encourage businesses to require face coverings
Moderate (yellow): 50% occupancy with a cap of 100 people (down from 250); encourage businesses to require face coverings
Low (green): 75% occupancy with a cap of 200 people (down from 500)
New Normal (blue): operate as usual.

Chris Jones stressed the increase in COVID-19 cases is putting a significant strain on healthcare and healthcare workers, and hospital bed capacities. Jones also urged resident to get flu shots.

Burgum added that, the North Dakota Department of Commerce Wednesday announced the second round of the Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) also known as the Hospitality ERG.

Applications are expected to open the week of Nov. 16 and will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding will be approved if the application meets all criteria and funding is available. Additional information will soon be available at belegendary.link/ERG.

Due to the continuing need of assistance, the second round of the ERG will focus on reimbursing hospitality businesses that were directly impacted by Executive Order 2020-06. This includes all restaurants, bars, breweries, cafes and similar on-site dining establishments.

Additionally, the Hospitality ERG will also focus on businesses affected by the closures such as theaters, music and entertainment venues, and professional production companies that support major venue meetings and events.

Commerce was approved by the Emergency Commission to use the remaining ERG funds estimated to be approximately $25 million and an additional $29 million for the Hospitality ERG to support more than 3,000 food service, drinking establishment, entertainment venues and professional production companies operating in North Dakota.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission wiil meet in Special Session Friday at noon, to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the public are not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16. Members of the public may view the meeting online https://zoom.us/j/98487551097 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 984 8755 10

The meeting will be shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

Jamestown (CVHD) Central Valley Health District will be offering it’s free COVID-19 testing this week indoors at the Jamestown Civic Center:

Friday Nov 6, 10am to noon
Indoors – use North ground-level door
Face coverings are required.
PRE-REGISTER if not done in past

Those seeking to be tested should enter the building through the north entrance. Testing will occur every Friday until further notice.

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/. If you have completely pre-registration in the past, you do not have to do it again.

Follow Central Valley Health District on Facebook for current and up-to-date information on local response information.

The 300 block of 3rd St NE will be closed for Covid-19 Testing. Testing will take place inside the Civic Center. Parking available in the east Business Center lot.

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

Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Commission has approved a non-congregate sheltering plan for the county.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry said the plan would address non-congregate sheltering like temporary repurposed facilities including hotel/motels, dormitories, camps, or converting buildings to provide single room occupancy or private sleeping spaces.

The facilities provide housing for the homeless or transient population requiring isolation or quarantine to help protect the public by preventing exposure to others.

Bergquist says the non-congregate would be different from a mass congregate plan and allow sheltering individuals as opposed to large groups.

Jamestown (CSi) The Alfred Dickey Library branch of the James River Valley Library System is closed November 5-6 for precautionary deep cleaning. The Stutsman County Library branch will remain open to the public for all of your full-service library needs. The hours for the Stutsman County branch are 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on Monday, and 9 am – 5pm Tuesday-Friday.

Jamestown (CSi) The annual Veterans’ Day celebration at the All Vets Club in Jamestown will be held on Wednesday, November 11th starting with a free will offering breakfast at 7:30 served by the Jamestown Sertoma club and volunteers.

We strongly suggest that you call in by Tuesday 11-10 for a breakfast time slot (7:30-8:30 or 9:30) to avoid crowding and close contact. Following the breakfast, there will be a free soup luncheon at 11:00 and family bingo with social distancing at 11:30. The evening events begin at 5:30 with a no host social at a distance and at 6:00 will be the POW/MIA remembrance ceremony by the American Legion. the celebration banquet begins at 6:15 with door prizes, great food and musical entertainment. The celebration banquet meal is free for all area veterans. Active duty military and our North Dakota National Guard are being recognized this year.

For more information please contact the All Vets Club at 252-8994. All in the community are invited to join us in this day of recognition. Please observe social distancing guidelines and safety protocols. Masks suggested.

All activities are contingent upon timely health restrictions. Grateful thanks to all in the community who help make this annual celebration event possible.

(NDHP) The North Dakota Highway patrol reports a crash about 6:44 -p.m. Thursday claimed the life of a 90 year old Gwinner man.

The report says a 2004 Peterbilt hauling cattle was traveling east on ND Hwy 13 traveling from Napoleon ND to Morris MN. The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling north on ND Hwy 32. At the intersection of Hwy 13 and 32 (one mile east of Gwinner) the Chevrolet stopped for a stop sign. The Silverado then began to make a left-hand turn, failing to yield, in front of the Peterbilt. The driver Peterbilt braked and swerved left to avoid striking the Silverado but was not successful. The front bumper of the Peterbilt struck the front driver side door of the Silverado. Both vehicles left the roadway and came to rest in the north ditch of Hwy 13. The driver of the Silverado suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Peterbilt was not injured. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The names of the involved parties will be released after families are notified.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — An elderly man has been struck and killed while crossing a street in Minot. Police say the 91-year-old man stopped in the middle of the road Tuesday and was struck by a pickup truck. Officials say the driver was cresting a hill and didn’t see the man in time to stop. The victim is identified as Carl Melby of Minot. The driver was issued a citation, but no criminal charges are expected.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Longtime Minnesota congressman Jim Ramstad has died at age 74. He was a moderate Republican whose battle with alcoholism led him to become a champion of mental health and recovery issues. His former chief of staff, Dean Peterson, says Ramstad died at his home in Wayzata late Thursday of Parkinson’s disease. Ramstad represented Minneapolis suburbs for nine terms in the U.S. House before retiring in 2009. He also served for 10 years in the Minnesota Senate. Ramstad was chief sponsor of legislation that opened the door to treatment for millions of Americans suffering from mental illness or chemical addiction.

A Jamestown Native, Ramstad is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and a daughter, Christen DeLaney.

In sports…

Valley City – The VCSU women’s basketball team will cancel or postpone its next four contests scheduled through Nov. 16.

The Viking women were scheduled to play at the NAIA Basketball Classic at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls this Saturday and Sunday. Those games against Dakota Wesleyan and Mount Marty will not be made up.

The VCSU men will still travel to play at the tournament in Sioux Falls as scheduled.

The VCSU women were also scheduled to host University of Jamestown on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Oak Hills Christian College on Sunday, Nov. 15. Both games will be rescheduled for a later date.

Thursday

College Volleyball

ORANGE CITY, Iowa– (UJ) The University of Jamestown women’s volleyball team lost its first match of the season Thursday night, falling 3-1 against Northwestern College. Set scores were 20-25, 17-25, 25-23, and 13-25.

The Jimmies, now 15-1 overall and 12-1 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, play at Briar Cliff (Iowa) University Friday.

NWC jumped out to a 4-0 lead in set one and eventually took a 15-11 advantage. UJ responded with four straight points to tie the set at 15. UJ would get as close as 20-19 on an Anna Holen (JR/LaMoure, N.D.) kill, but the Red Raiders scored three straight and five of the next six for an opening set win.

Trailing 13-10 in set two, Jamestown rallied with Ellie Holen (FR/LaMoure, N.D.) at the service line. The Jimmies scored six in a row to pull ahead 16-13. Northwestern staged a six-point rally of their own to lead 19-16. Following an attack error to end the streak, NWC scored the last six for a 2-0 match lead.

Down 20-18 in the third set, the Jimmies won four points in a row and took a 22-20 lead. Northwestern responded with back-to-back points to tie the set, but UJ won three of the last four points to cut NWC’s lead to 2-1.

Jamestown got as close as 12-9 in the third set only to have the Red Raiders go on a 12-2 run and stretch the lead to 24-11. UJ won back-to-back points for just the second time in the set, then NWC finished the match off with a kill and the win.

Kalli Hegerle (JR/West Fargo, N.D.) had 15 kills for the Jimmies. Anna Holen was also in double figures with 10 and had a double-double with 16 digs. Corina Huff (SR/Breezy Point, Minn.) hit a team-best .286 on six kills.

Jackie Meiklejohn (JR/Dickey, N.D.) recorded a double-double of 24 assists and 10 digs. Megan Gaffaney (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) passed out 19 assists.

Sydney Ellingson (SR/Langdon, N.D.) posted 17 digs while Hannah Schiele (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) added 10. Jayla Ritter (JR/Forest Lake, Minn.) had four total blocks.

The two teams will meet again a week from Saturday in Jamestown.

NFL

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers overwhelmed the undermanned San Francisco 49ers 34-17.

Rodgers connected on deep shots to Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and a short toss to Marcedes Lewis in the first half to get the Packers out to a 21-3 lead.

It was quite a reversal from the team meetings last season when San Francisco outscored Green Bay by a combined 50-0 in the first halves on the way to lopsided wins in the regular season and NFC title game.

The Niners were missing almost all their key pieces from that game.

NBA-NEWS

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA’s player representatives have voted to support the notion of starting this coming season on Dec. 22, the date that the league has been targeting in its talks about how and when to get teams back on the floor for a planned 72-game season. The player vote is just one part of the process.

Among the primary matters to be determined: how much more escrow will be taken from players because of the shorter-than-usual season, and how the league and the players will navigate testing and other health and safety issues amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

All that has to be worked out before the plans for next season truly become official.

Talks between the NBA and NBPA on those and other topics are continuing, though there is obvious urgency to finalize things. The NBA draft is scheduled for Nov. 18 and the plan presented to players — and now approved by NBPA team reps — calls for training camps to begin on Dec. 1.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFL

UNDATED (AP) —The Las Vegas Raiders and coach Jon Gruden have been fined a total $650,000 and docked a sixth-round draft pick for repeated violations of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

A person familiar with the punishment said Thursday the team has been fined $500,000, Gruden has been docked $150,000 and the draft pick has been stripped because of how the team handled Trent Brown’s positive coronavirus test last month. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Yahoo first reported the punishments.

The Raiders have been penalized several times already this season for violating coronavirus protocols with the punishments leading to a total of $1,215,000 for the team, Gruden and players.

— The NFL and the union are investigating the San Francisco 49ers and receiver Kendrick Bourne for possible violations of the league’s coronavirus protocols. A person familiar with the investigation says the probe is looking into whether Bourne was wearing a face covering as required by the COVID-19 rules.

— The Houston Texans will be without three linebackers on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after linebacker Jacob Martin tested positive for COVID-19. The team learned that Martin tested positive for the virus last night and shut down their facility today. Starting linebacker Whitney Mercilus and reserve linebacker Dylan Cole will also miss Sunday’s game. Both players had been in close contact with Martin and will have to isolate for five days.

— The Chicago Bears have canceled practice and closed their facility after another player tested positive for COVID-19. The Bears say the player and all close contacts are self-isolating. Backup offensive tackle Jason Spriggs and starting right guard Germain Ifedi already were on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Chicago is scheduled to play at Tennessee on Sunday.

— The Kansas City Chiefs closed their facility after practice Thursday when an unidentified staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The team continued its preparations for Sunday’s game against Carolina remotely.

— The Indianapolis Colts say a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under the care of team doctors. The Colts say they have entered the league’s intensive protocol and are working with NFL officials and medical staff. The team staffer is in quarantine.

— The Detroit Lions have put safety Jalen Elliott on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Detroit also put linebacker Jarrad Davis and quarterback Matthew Stafford on the list earlier in the week. Coach Matt Patricia wouldn’t discuss Stafford’s status for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.

NFL-

UNDATED (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule says that barring a setback, he expects running back Christian McCaffrey to play Sunday against the Chiefs.

McCaffrey, who has missed the past six games with a high ankle sprain, practiced for the second straight day Thursday. Rhule said McCaffrey looked “fresh and fast at practice” and responded well after participating in his first padded practice since Week 2 on Wednesday.

In other NFL injury news:

— Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least three games with a knee injury. Backup Matt Breida is nursing a hamstring injury, which could mean more playing time Sunday at Arizona for Jordan Howard. Gaskin has been the Dolphins’ best backfield threat with 387 yards rushing and 198 receiving.

— Sam Darnold’s sore shoulder is kept him out of practice Thursday although the Jets remain optimistic the quarterback will play Monday night. The 0-8 Jets are giving Darnold an extra day of rest as the team prepares to host the AFC East-rival New England Patriots.

— Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley missed practice Thursday for the second straight day because of a foot injury. He leads the Falcons with 43 catches for 657 yards and six touchdowns.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE SPORTS

UNDATED (AP) — The season opener between PAC-12 California and Washington has been canceled following a request from the Golden Bears due to a positive coronavirus test for one of their players.

Pac-12 guidelines require at least 53 scholarship players to be available for a game to be played. The conference says the game will be declared a no-contest.

The Pac-12 is kicking off its shortened season this weekend.

In other virus-related developments in college sports:

— The American Athletic Conference has postponed Saturday’s football game between Tulsa and host Navy following a rash of positive COVID-19 tests at the Naval Academy. Many Navy athletes are under quarantine, and the Midshipmen have temporarily halted all football activities. It’s the fourth FBS game this week and the 41st this season to be postponed or canceled. A makeup date has not been announced.

— UConn has suspended all men’s basketball activities after a player tested positive for the coronavirus. The Huskies are scheduled to open the season on Dec. 2 in the Legends Classic at the Mohegan Sun arena, which is about 30 miles south of campus in Uncasville.

— The Ohio Valley Conference is expanding its basketball schedule from 18 games to 20. It’s a move to try to make up for the delayed start to the season, and the conference is trying to give programs more games closer to home.

— Missouri’s soccer match at Georgia scheduled to be played Friday has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests and subsequent quarantines within the Georgia program. The regular season ends this weekend, so the match will not be rescheduled.

— Clemson is ending its men’s track and field and cross-country programs after this academic year. The move comes several months after board members were told the school could lose $30 million to $50 million in athletic revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

— The service academy game between Air Force and Army scheduled for Saturday at West Point, New York, was postponed due to an increase in COVID-19 cases at the Air Force Academy and the surrounding community. The schools are working to reschedule the game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-SYRACUSE-WILLIAMS

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Syracuse junior defensive back Trill Williams is following former star safety Andre Cisco out the door.

Williams announced Wednesday night on social media that he’s opting opt out of the remainder of the 2020 season and will enter the 2021 NFL draft.

Williams played in 28 games for Syracuse and had 93 tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 3 1/2 tackles for loss in his three seasons. He scored a remarkable touchdown in the season finale against Wake Forest last year, forcing a fumble and returning it 94 yards for the winning touchdown in overtime.

Cisco, a preseason All-American, opted out after playing the first two games of the season. He was injured in warmups prior to the third game and never returned. He also plans to enter next year’s NFL draft.

NHL-NEWS

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers have avoided arbitration with center Ryan Strome. They agreed to terms on a $9 million, two-year contract with a $4.5 million annual salary cap hit. The 27-year-old set a career high last season with 59 points on 18 goals and 41 assists. Strome has 254 points in 491 career regular-season games with the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Rangers. Getting a deal done with Strome keeps intact the Rangers core that exceeded expectations last season by qualifying for the expanded NHL playoffs.

In other ice news:

— The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a three-year, $8.4 million contract. The deal locks up Gavrikov, a restricted free agent who was one among the NHL’s top rookie defensemen in goals, assists and points last season. The 24-year-old Russian is seen as important element in the team’s blue-line rotation for the future. Gavrikov had five goals and 13 assists with 18 penalty minutes in 69 games with Columbus in 2019-20. He added a goal and a pair of assists in 10 playoff games.

TENNIS-PARIS MASTERS

Nadal reaches Paris Masters quarters, chasing elusive title

PARIS (AP) — Top-seeded Rafael Nadal has stayed on course for an elusive first title at the Paris Masters after beating Jordan Thompson 6-1, 7-6 to reach the quarterfinals. Thompson forced his first break point in the 12th game of the second set to have set point with Nadal down 30-40. After a decent second serve Nadal saved it after a long rally.

Third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, No. 4 Alexander Zverev, No. 6 Diego Schwartzman and No. 10 Milos Raonic also reached the last eight.

GOLF-HOUSTON OPEN

Snedeker takes Houston Open lead; Johnson and fans return

HOUSTON (AP) — Brandt Snedeker found a lot of fairways and greens at difficult Memorial Park, top-ranked Dustin Johnson returned from the coronavirus, and fans were back, too, Thursday at the Houston Open. Snedeker shot a 5-under 65 in the afternoon to take a two-stroke lead in the last event before the Masters. It’s the first domestic PGA Tour event to have fans since The Players Championship on March 12. Jason Day was tied for second with Scottie Scheffler, Harold Varner III, Carlos Ortiz, Michael Thompson and Cameron Davis.

TOKYO-GYM MEET

Tokyo hosts 4-country gymnastics meet to test COVID safety

TOKYO (AP) — Gymnasts from the United States, China and Russia will join counterparts from Japan in a 30-person meet this weekend in Tokyo.

The meet itself is largely meaningless. What’s important is for Japanese officials to show that foreign athletes can enter Japan safely and not spread COVID-19. This is another step in attempting to prove that Tokyo will be able to hold next year’s Olympics.

Last weekend a Japanese professional baseball team filled a 30,000-seat stadium to show that fans could attend events safely. The Olympics will involve 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and thousands of staff, judges, officials, media and broadcasters.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden is now leading President Donald Trump in the battleground state of Georgia. By Friday morning, Biden overtook Trump in the number of ballots counted in the battleground, a must-win state for Trump that has long been a Republican stronghold. Biden now has a 917-vote advantage. The contest is still too early for The Associated Press to call. Thousands of ballots are still left to be counted — many in counties where the former vice president was in the lead. An AP analysis showed that Biden’s vote margins grew as counties processed mail ballots cast in his favor.

Election officials in several states say they are worried about the safety of their staffs amid a cascade of threats and protesters responding to President Donald Trump’s baseless insistence of widespread voter fraud in the race for the White House. Groups of Trump supporters have gathered at vote tabulation sites in Phoenix, Detroit and Philadelphia, decrying counts that showed Democrat Joe Biden leading or gaining ground. While the protests have not been violent or very large, local officials were exasperated and concerned by the relentless accusations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers may have slowed their hiring in October for a fourth straight month with confirmed viral cases reaching record levels and the loss of government aid deepening the hardships for many. Economists have forecast that employers added 580,000 jobs last month, down from 661,000 in September and 1.5 million in August. If that estimate proves accurate, last month’s gain will have been the weakest since employers began calling some employees back to work in May. And it would mean that the economy has regained only about 12 million of the 22 million jobs that vanished when the pandemic paralyzed the economy in early spring.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are deciding whether to approve the first drug that’s claimed to slow mental decline from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. A panel of outside experts meets Friday to advise the Food and Drug Administration on the drug. The evidence is murky. One study suggested the drug helped, but a second study did not. Some people want the FDA to require a third study while others want approval now. The drug likely would be very expensive and could have a profound impact on Medicare. It’s given through an IV once a month.

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets have followed Wall Street higher amid protracted vote-counting following this week’s U.S. elections. London and Frankfurt rose Friday in early trading. Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney closed higher, while Shanghai declined. Markets are betting on control of the U.S. Congress being split between Republicans and Democrats, which could mean low taxes and light regulation will stay in place. Tech stocks helped lead the way amid rising expectations that a split Congress would not be as aggressive about targeting Big Tech for anti-monopoly enforcement. In the U.S. presidential election, challenger Joe Biden leads in the vote counting, but President Donald Trump is questioning the legitimacy of the totals with key states still counting ballots.