– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec 14

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY .Mostly sunny. Highs around 10. Northwest winds around 10 mph shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. West winds 5 to

10 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. South winds 5 to

15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Southwest

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20.

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

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

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 10 to 15.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

A report issued Sunday by North Dakota health officials showed no new deaths due to the coronavirus in the last day, the first time that has happened in a 24-hour period since Sept. 20. It comes after a day when the state confirmed 22 deaths, increasing the statewide death toll from the virus to 1,152 since the pandemic began. Statistics compiled Saturday by Johns Hopkins University researchers listed the death count as the fourth highest per capita at more than 151 deaths per 100,000 people. Health officials confirmed 287 positive COVID-19 tests since Saturday, for a total of 87,871 cases. North Dakota ranks fifth in the country for new cases per capita in the last two weeks. One in every 149 people in North Dakota tested positive in the past week.

NDDoH

ND Covid Stats

Sun. Dec. 13, 2020

11:00-a.m.

No New Deaths reported Statewide, Sunday

Click Here for NDDoH Revised Active & Recovered Cases

Barnes County

New Positives: 2

Total Positives: 1177

Active: 56

Recovered: 1099

Stutsman County

New Positives: 8

Total Positives: 2874

Active: 142

Recovered: 2866

Regional New Positive cases Reported Sunday

LaMoure 2

Wells 2

Dickey 1

Foster 1

Griggs 1

Kidder 1

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

The first page of the dashboard will be update on the website shortly.

A couple of things to note:

The NDDoH is following the guidance from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) – the independent professional body that determines case definitions for the country. CSTE guidance and the CDC indicate that someone who has a positive antigen test for COVID-19 should be considered a probable case. Probable cases receive the same level of case investigation and follow-up as cases confirmed using a PCR test.
PCR tests and antigen tests are displayed separately on the first page of the dashboard and are broken out into daily and cumulative totals on the second page. For the rest of the graphs and maps, totals include both PCR tests and antigen tests combined.
Antigen tests are not taken into account in the percent positivity. Some testing facilities are not reporting all antigen testing. As a result, we do not know the total number of negatives and total tests completed to be able to calculate a positivity rate.
Positive antigen tests have been added to the totals. The past positive antigen tests and 12 deaths reported yesterday are reflected on the dashboard on the actual day they were resulted. So, the daily new positives reported today are the PCR tests and antigen tests reported from yesterday, as is usually done.

BY THE NUMBERS

6,167 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,230,219 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

287 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

271 – PCR Tests | 16 antigen tests
87,871 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

4.82% – Daily Positivity Rate**

3,784 – Total Active Cases

-294 Individuals from Yesterday

575 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (498 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

82,935 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

270 – Currently Hospitalized

-12 – Individuals from yesterday

0 – New Deaths*** (1,152 total deaths since the pandemic began)

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED SUNDAY

Adams County – 1
Barnes County – 2
Benson County – 14
Bottineau County – 1
Bowman County – 1
Burleigh County – 33
Cass County – 83
Cavalier County – 1
Dickey County – 1
Dunn County – 2
Foster County – 1
Grand Forks County – 37
Griggs County – 1
Hettinger County – 1
Kidder County – 1
LaMoure County – 2
McHenry County – 1
McKenzie County – 4
McLean County – 2
Mercer County – 1
Morton County – 7
Mountrail County – 5
Nelson County – 1
Pembina County – 1
Pierce County – 1
Ramsey County – 6
Ransom County – 3
Renville County – 1
Richland County – 11
Rolette County – 6
Sioux County – 1
Stark County – 9
Stutsman County – 8
Towner County – 2
Traill County – 8
Ward County – 17
Wells County – 2
Williams County – 8

* Note that this includes PCR tests and does not include individuals from out of state.

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). Antigen tests (positive or negative) are not included in the calculation.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive with a PCR or antigen test and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19. Please remember that deaths are reported as they’re reported to us by the facility or through the official death record (up to 10-day delay).

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

*****Daily positive numbers include people who tested with a PCR or antigen test. 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 (CVHD) Central Valley Health District reports that beginning Dec 14 – Dec 22, CVHD will hold COVID week day testing at the Jamestown Civic Center, from 10am to 12 noon, using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow. No testing is scheduled for Friday Dec 11.

Regular PCR testing will be conducted on those who are asymptomatic, while rapid testing will be available for those who are experiencing COVID symptoms.

If a rapid test results in a negative result, a follow-up confirmatory PCR test will be conducted.Negative tests will be followed up by the traditional testing.

During Christmas week the Civic Center testing will be Mon Dec 21 & Tues Dec 22 from 10am to noon.

See calendar posted at CSiNewsNow.com

CVHD will continue to work with the University of Jamestown on testing students.

Valley City (CCHD) Monday December 14, the Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Valley City is inside the VCSU W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, from 1-p.m., to 2-p.m.

Preregister on line: testreg.nd.gov site.

City/County County Health says, the testing will take place inside the “Bubble,” with priority in line given to Elderly and those with mobility issues. and wheelchairs will be available.

Face Masks are required for those entering the building.

Administrator Theresa Will also points out the COVID-19 vaccine is likely to arrive to give to healthcare workers and long-term care residents by late January or early February.

Valley City (VCPS 12-11-20) Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson has issued an updated news release issued by Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson.

It stated:

“Earlier this week, the North Dakota High School Activities Association revised the capacity limits to match North Dakota’s Smart Restart for Large Group Gatherings.

Johnson said, following consultation with our local health team and school board, Valley City Public Schools has made the decision to continue limiting attendance to 50 spectators between December 14, 2020 thru January 15, 2021. This decision will be re-evaluated with our local health team during the week of January 11-15, 2021.

Each Valley City Public School participating student will receive two wristbands that they will be able to share with parents and family members. The wristbands will allow entrance into the event, but will not cover the cost of admission. No visiting team spectators will be allowed to attend.

Due to capacity limitations within our facilities, no fans will be allowed to attend any activity events held in either the North or South Auxiliary Gymnasiums.”

Bismarck (CSi) – Gov. Doug Burgum Friday announced that $2.48 million in emergency grant relief has been awarded to North Dakota education entities serving K-12 students and families to support all learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, created by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), allows the governor to provide support to education entities and institutions of higher education. North Dakota received approximately $5.93 million in GEER funding from the U.S. Department of Education; $3.4 million was made available to K-12 facilities across the state. Of that amount, $2.48 million was made available to K-12 through a competitive grant process. Throughout the pandemic, more than $98 million of relief funding has been provided to support K-12 education across North Dakota.

Burgum says,“These grants will help ensure our students and families continue to have the educational supports they need to navigate the pandemic disruptions,” Burgum said. “These funds provide a financial lift for schools to transform learning, and we look forward to seeing how these proposals grow into future student-driven opportunities.”

Several awards were provided to schools that serve a high population of Native American students. Over 20 percent of North Dakota’s Native American K-12 population is enrolled in districts receiving GEER funds.

More than 35 proposals were reviewed through the competitive grant process. Grants awarded will provide resources to support behavioral health needs of students and families, technology assistance for individuals receiving distance learning, additional staff to support student learning and tutoring services provided outside of the typical school day. A list of the grant awards is available here.

For more information on North Dakota’s COVID-19 response, visit www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or www.ndresponse.gov.

Update

Valley City (NDHP) On Saturday Dec 12 about 7:25-a.m.,1999 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 52 year old man from Fargo was traveling west bound on Interstate 94 near mile marker 305. The driver Arthur Kraft of lost control and the UHaul trailer began to fishtail. He veered right and entered north ditch of Interstate 94 and overturned. The Chevrolet came to rest on it’s passenger side facing East. His 53 year old female passenger Tina Kraft from Fargo were transported to CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City by Valley City Ambulance.Both occupants were wearing seat belts.

The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, who was assisted at the scene by the Barnes County Sheriff’s Department, and Valley City Ambulance.

(JRMC) The Jamestown Regional Medical Center Foundation is hosting the 23rd annual Tree of Love Dedication on Monday, December 14, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

JRMC Foundation Director, Lisa Jackson says, “This year, like most events, will be different. We will host a Facebook Live event at 2 p.m. with prayer and dedication. Supporters can drive-thru during this time to purchase or pick up their ornaments. The Tree of Love is one of my favorite holiday traditions. Even though we can’t gather together, it will still be a special time to reflect on the ones we honor, miss and love. We have two trees, one inside with the named ornaments ‘in honor’ and ‘in memory’ and one outside for our patients and families to enjoy,” Jackson said.

Katie Ryan-Anderson, Marketing Manager for the JRMC, Katie Ryan-Anderson says it’s her favorite event and allows participants to honor loved ones.

Ornaments are available for a donation of $10 or more online or by mail. Supporters can dedicate ornament tags to a caregiver who made a difference, a beloved spouse or family member, co-worker or friend.

Lisa adds,“In addition to the gifted ornaments, JRMC Foundation also recognizes those who have passed away during the year who are either co-workers or provided a legacy gift through estate giving or their memorials.”

The proceeds raised from this event will go towards the fund of your choice or, if undesignated, a new educational app for expecting parents. JRMC Family BirthPlace welcomes about 350 babies each year. Emily Woodley, thee JRMC Family BirthPlace manager, says, “The new technology will connect their parents to valuable, interactive content that is available anytime – from any device. The accessibility helps provide the best care to welcome our littlest patients.”

The technology cost is $6,000. The platform offers medically-accurate content that can also be customized to create a unique patient experience. Text, videos and animations are available on pregnancy, labor and birth, postpartum care, breastfeeding and newborn care.

For more information on the Tree of Love or funding projects, contact JRMC Foundation at (701) 952-4880 or visit www.jrmcnd.com/giving.

Bismarck (NDDOT) – Law enforcement across the state will have extra patrols to remove impaired drivers from the road from Dec. 18 until Jan. 31 as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

Preliminary 2020 data shows fatalities from alcohol are at 32%. However, alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle crashes, fatalities and arrests are 100% preventable. Drivers should always take personal responsibility by driving sober, designating a sober driver or using a ride-hailing service.

“Make the choice to always drive sober and avoid the serious consequences that come with driving impaired,” says Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is preventable and should not be tolerated.”

This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — KFGO radio personality Bob Harris has died from coronavirus-related complications. The radio station said the 65-year-old Harris died at a Fargo hospital Friday night. He was hospitalized Thanksgiving Day after experiencing shortness of breath. Harris had been in the Intensive Care Unit. Harris was the longtime host of “Night Time Live” and “The Harris Happening” podcast. The station said he was well known and respected in the local arts and music community. He had interviewed hundreds of performers during his 40-year broadcast career.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An 85-year-old Bismarck woman accused of driving away from a June collision in which a pedestrian died has pleaded not guilty. Bertha Harper on Friday pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide and failure to report the incident that authorities say led to the death of 33-year-old Amber Rebel. Police say video from a nearby business showed Harper’s vehicle leaving the area about the time the 911 call came in. Harper’s attorney, Tom Dickson, said Harper she voluntarily made phone calls to police to verify her whereabouts on the day of the collision. A March trial is scheduled.

In sports…

Jamestown (UJ 12-11-20 ) University of Jamestown Athletic Director Sean Johnson reports that “As of Friday December 11, “We are lifting all restrictions on whom can attend home games at Harold Newman Arena while still enforcing our capacity restriction which is currently at 600.”

The first event under the revised policy will be Saturday, December 12, when the Jimmie women’s basketball team hosts Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University at 2 p.m.

Tickets will be sold to the general public, Jimmie Booster Club members will be allowed to attend, and UJ faculty and staff may bring their families to the games at Harold Newman Arena.

The revised policy does not apply to home hockey games at Wilson Arena, which are under tighter attendance restrictions, and do not currently allow for UJ faculty, staff, and student admittance, public ticket sales, or the use of Jimmie Booster Club passes.

Valley City (VCPS 12-11-20) Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson has issued an updated news release issued by Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson.

It stated:

“Earlier this week, the North Dakota High School Activities Association revised the capacity limits to match North Dakota’s Smart Restart for Large Group Gatherings.

Due to capacity limitations within our facilities, no fans will be allowed to attend any activity events held in either the North or South Auxiliary Gymnasiums.”

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum announced Wednesday that a four-week pause on high school winter sports competitions and other extracurricular K-12 school activities, as well as association, community and club sports, was allowed to expire at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 as stated in the original order.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association has updated its spectator guidance to align with the statewide limits on large events included in the ND Smart Restart tiers for events and gatherings, which can be found at www.ndresponse.gov.

VCSU Women’s Basketball..

Saturday

Valley City (VCSU) – The Valley City State women’s basketball team opened conference play in the win column, taking a 71-67 victory over Dickinson State Saturday.

Dani Schwanke‘s 13 second-half points paced the Valley City State comeback, including a pair of free throws and layup drive late in the fourth quarter to ice the Viking win.

Valley City State improves to 2-3 on the season and 1-0 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dickinson State falls to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA.

“To start conference play 1-0 is a huge step in the right direction for this team and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We had a lot of girls step up at different times in the game and we were able to string together stops when it counted down the stretch.” said head coach Vanessa Johnson. “We have to keep working to clean up the little parts of the game, but overall excited to see what this group can do!”

The Viking and Blue Hawk teams were evenly matched Saturday, going down to the wire as the two held four ties and exchanged 12 leads throughout the game. Dickinson State led by as much as seven points in the first half and held a 34-29 advantage at halftime. Valley City State used an efficient second half, shooting 57 percent throughout the final 20 minutes, to complete the comeback over the Blue Hawks.

The Vikings and Blue Hawks were still tied up at 66-66 with 1:57 to go in the fourth quarter. Over the next two possessions, Dani Schwanke scored on a pair of free throws and a layup to hold a 70-66 lead over Dickinson State. The Blue Hawks’ attempts to regain possessions fell short as the Vikings took the win, 71-67.

Valley City State shot 47 percent from the field (20-43), 38 percent on three-pointers (8-21), and 62 percent on free throws (23-37). Dickinson State shot 40 percent from the field (22-55), 41 percent on three-pointers (9-22), and 64 percent on free throws (14-22). Each team turned the ball over 25 times and totaled 31 rebounds in the game.

Dani Schwanke led the Vikings with 22 points, including four three-pointers Saturday. Three more Vikings scored in double figures, including Maara Nelson with 14, Emma Nielsen with 13, and Allie Critchley who scored 11.

Critchley also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds for the Vikings while Nielsen tallied six steals Saturday.

Dickinson State also had four players scoring in double figures, led by Shali Sheridan who scored 15 points off the Blue Hawk bench. Lilly Kelley and Dakota Dosch each scored 12, and Courtney Olson scored 11.

Olson also had a team-high nine rebounds and four assists for the Blue Hawks, while Dosch tallied five steals for the Blue Hawks.

UP NEXT: The Vikings now take a break and will resume play in January. Valley City State is scheduled to host University of Jamestown on Monday, Jan. 4, at 6 p.m.

UJ Women’s Basketball

Harold Newman Arena

Hannah DeMars (SO/Grand Rapids, MN)’ three-pointer with 55 seconds left capped a 14-6 run as the University of Jamestown women’s basketball team rallied for a 64-61 win over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University Saturday afternoon at Harold Newman Arena.

Jamestown trailed 55-50 with 9:34 remaining, but five straight points from Kia Tower (SO/Bigfork, MN) and a three-pointer by Macy Savela (SO/Mountain Iron, MN) gave the Jimmies a 58-55 advantage at the 6:55 mark.

Savela knocked down another three with 5:15 to play as Jamestown went ahead 61-57. The Tigers answered with baskets by Jada Campbell and Kaylee Kirk to tie the game at 61 with 3:29 left in the game.

UJ would hold DWU scoreless for the remainder of the game as the defense made DeMars’ go-ahead three hold up. The Tigers made just one of their final eight shots down the stretch.

The Jimmies shot 60 percent in the first quarter to take a 22-13 lead after the first ten minutes, and would eventually lead by 13 with 5:39 left in the half. The Tigers used an 11-for-14 performance at the free throw line while shooting 50 percent from the field to cut the lead to 38-37 at the break. DWU closed the half on a 19-7 run and held UJ without a basket for 3:19 to get back in the game.

A 16-10 scoring edge in the third quarter gave the Tigers a five-point lead heading into the the final quarter. UJ made just four shots in the period and turned the ball over seven times while DWU connected on four of its six three-point attempts.

Noelle Josephson (JR/Ramsey, MN) led Jamestown (5-3, 3-3 GPAC) with 14 points. Tower ended with 13 points and four steals, while Savela came off the bench to score 12. DeMars chipped in with nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Audrey Rodakowski (FR/Dickinson, ND) had nine points to go along with four assists.

Haidyn Pitsch scored a game-high 18 for DWU (3-3, 1-3 GPAC). Campbell added 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Jimmies are back in action Tuesday night when they host Briar Cliff (Iowa) University at 6 p.m.

Sunday..

VCSU Men’s Basketball

At VCSU

Vikings 94 Dickinson State 68

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State men’s basketball team opened the second half of Sunday’s game with a 24-3 run that powered the Vikings to a conference-opening victory over Dickinson State, 94-68.

Eddie Oyet‘s performance off the bench paced the Vikings on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball as he put up 23 points and tallied five steals. It is the sixth straight game that Oyet has scored at least 14 points for the Vikings.

Kevin Schramm posted his second double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. Jalen Addison poured in 18 points for the Vikings and Tate Hebrink added 12. Addison and Chris Thompson each dished out four assists Sunday.

Valley City State improves to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the North Star Athletic Association. Dickinson State falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA.

“Our guys are hungry. As a coaching staff we didn’t know what we would get today but we were just trying to keep motivated through this turbulent time.” said head coach Ryan Montgomery. “This is a resilient group – to do what we did today, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The Vikings had 11 players see playing time Sunday and nine of them scored in the game.

“Each of our guys know, you are just important as the guy who gets 30 minutes a game. With how we play, we need everybody to be locked in. We were like that today and we have been like that the last two months,” added Montgomery.

The Vikings opened up with a quick 9-0 lead over the first five minutes of play Sunday. Valley City State held a 17-point lead with 6:24 left in the half. Over the final five minutes of the first half, Dickinson State took an 18-6 run to get within two points as the Vikings held a 39-37 advantage at halftime.

From there, it was all Valley City State as they opened the second half shooting 80 percent from the field through the first 10 minutes. The Vikings led by as much as 27 points in the second half on a three-pointer from Schramm en route to the 94-68 victory over the Blue Hawks.

Valley City State shot 52 percent from the field (34-65), 50 percent on three-pointers (13-26), and 72 percent on free throws (13-18). Dickinson State shot 41 percent from the field (20-49), 28 percent on three-pointers (7-25), and 78 percent on free throws (21-27).

Valley City State out rebounded the Blue Hawks 37-27, including 10 offensive boards. The Vikings also tallied 12 steals as a team Sunday.

Bryce Knox led Dickinson State with 26 points while John Evans added 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds Sunday. Trey Hladky added seven points and six assists for the Blue Hawks.

UP NEXT: The Vikings will now take a break over the next few weeks and resume play in January. Valley City State is scheduled to host Yellowstone Christian College on Saturday, Jan. 2.

HOUSTON (AP) — Golfweek reports that Amy Olson learned her father-in-law died suddenly in North Dakota as she goes into the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open one shot out of the lead. The rain-delayed final round at Champions Golf Club resumes Monday. The LPGA Tour confirmed on behalf of Olson that Lee Olson died Saturday night. Olson is going for her first victory. Olson is married to Grant Olson, the linebackers coach at North Dakota State. He flew out to Houston this week to watch his wife try to win. He has returned to North Dakota.

NFL

— Tom Brady threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Buccaneers to the first win in their last three home games, 26-14 versus the Vikings. Ronald Jones had a 1-yard TD run and Ryan Succop (SUK’-up) kicked field goals of 18 and 48 yards for the 8-5 Bucs. Tampa Bay sacked Kirk Cousins six times, the last producing a fumble that ended any chance of a rally. Dalvin Cook rushed for 102 yards on 22 carries for the 6-7 Vikings.

— The Packers wrapped up the NFC North as Aaron Rodgers tossed three TD passes and ran for the go-ahead score in a 31-24 downing of the Lions. The two-time MVP completed his first eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns before finishing 26 of 33 for 290 yards. The 10-3 Packers knocked Matthew Stafford out of the game with a rib injury in the fourth quarter and went on to win their third straight game and second straight division championship.

— The Eagles stunned the Saints behind Jalen Hurts, who ran for 106 yards and threw for 167 in Philadelphia’s 24-21 victory. Hurts was 17 of 30 with a TD in his first career start after replacing Carson Wentz. Miles Sanders had 115 yards rushing and a pair of scores as the Eagles ended a four-game losing streak while dropping the Saints to 10-3.

Mitchell Trubisky threw three touchdown passes and the Bears snapped a six-game losing streak with a 36-7 victory over the Texans. David Montgomery ran for an 80-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first play from scrimmage, helping the 6-7 Bears stop their worst skid since the 2002 team dropped a team record-tying eight in a row. Allen Robinson caught nine passes for 123 yards, matching a season high and giving him 1,027 for the season.

— The Broncos pulled out a 32-27 win at Carolina as Drew Lock threw for 280 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Lock connected on touchdown throws of 49 and 37 yards to rookie KJ Hamler. Denver’s Diontae Spencer returned a punt 83 yards for his first career score.

— Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns, Taron Johnson returned an interception for a score and the Bills allowed just 47 yards rushing in dealing the Steelers their second straight loss since an 11-0 start, 26-15. Allen was 24 of 43 for 238 yards, including scoring tosses to Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Diggs had 10 receptions for 130 yards to help the 10-3 Bills inch closer to the AFC East title. Ben Roethlisberger had a tough night, completing just 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs turned the ball over four times, fell into an early 10-point hole and watched Patrick Mahomes (mah-HOHMZ’) taken down for a 30-yard sack. None of that stopped the Chiefs from clinching their fifth consecutive AFC West title.

Mahomes threw for 393 yards and two scores to help the 12-1 Chiefs earn their eighth consecutive victory, 33-27 at Miami. He shook off three interceptions and led Kansas City to its team-record 10th consecutive road win.

Travis Kelce had eight catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, and Mecole Hardman scored untouched on a 67-yard punt return.

Tua Tagovailoa (TOO-uh tuhng-ah-vy-LOH’-ah) passed for 316 yards and two scores to Mike Gesicki, but he also threw his first career interception as the 8-5 Dolphins lost for just the second time in nine games.

— Russell Wilson threw for 206 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 40-3 laugher over the Jets. Wilson hit Freddie Swain, DK Metcalf, Will Dissly and David Moore, giving him a career-high 36 TD tosses this season. Seattle stayed tied with the Rams for the NFC lead and handed the Jets their team-record 13th consecutive loss.

— Derrick Henry ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns as the Titans dealt the Jaguars their 12th consecutive loss, 31-10. Henry topped 100 yards rushing for the 10th consecutive road game and became the first player in league history with four games of at least 200 yards and two TDs. Tennessee took control by scoring 17 points in less than four minutes spanning the second and third quarters.

— Tennessee and Indianapolis continue to share the AFC South lead after T.Y. Hilton caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in the Colts’ 44-27 shootout win against the Raiders. Jonathan Taylor rushed for a career-best 150 yards and two scores, including a 62-yard TD scamper. The Colts racked up 456 total yards while scoring on seven of their first eight drives in their fourth victory in five games. Las Vegas responded to the loss by firing defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

— Rookies Chase Young and Kamren Curl scored defensive touchdowns as Washington beat the 49ers, 23-15 to take over first place in the NFC East at 6-7, one game ahead of New York. Young returned a fumble 47 yards and Curl provided a 76-yard interception return in Washington’s fourth win in a row. Washington’s offense was limited after Alex Smith’s right leg injury caused him to miss the second half.

— Haason (hah-SAHN’) Reddick had a franchise-record five sacks and three forced fumbles for the Cardinals in a 26-7 win against the Giants. Kyler Murray threw for 244 yards and a touchdown as Arizona ended a three-game skid and moved to 7-6. Mike Nugent came off the practice squad and added four field goals for the Cardinals, who recorded eight sacks against Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy. Jones lost two fumbles and was sacked six times in his first game since missing last weekend’s game with a hamstring injury.

— Mitchell Trubisky threw three touchdown passes and the Bears snapped a six-game losing streak with a 36-7 victory over the Texans. David Montgomery ran for an 80-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first play from scrimmage, helping the 6-7 Bears stop their worst skid since the 2002 team dropped a team record-tying eight in a row. Allen Robinson caught nine passes for 123 yards, matching a season high and giving him 1,027 for the season.

— Andy Dalton returned to Cincinnati and threw for two scores as the Cowboys ripped the Bengals, 30-7. Dalton was serviceable, going 16 for 23 for 185 yards as the 4-9 Cowboys stayed in contention in the weak NFC East. The Bengals fumbled the ball away on their first three drives, leading to 17 first-half points, including a fumble return for a touchdown.

— Michael Badgley hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Chargers past the Falcons, 20-17. Justin Herbert was 36 of 44 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception to help Los Angeles move to 4-9. Austin Ekeler had 79 yars rushing and another 67 receiving as the Chargers stopped a two-game skid.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-AUBURN-MALZAHN

Malzahn let go by Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn is cutting ties with the last head football coach to lead the Tigers to a national championship game.

Gus Malzahn went 68-35 in eight seasons at Auburn and was 39-27 against SEC opponents. He led the Tigers to the 2013 conference title in his first season before losing to Florida State in the national championship game.

The Tigers weren’t able to duplicate their first-year success under Malzahn. They are 6-4 this season, falling to struggling South Carolina and absorbing double-digit losses to Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-ILLINOIS-SMITH

Illini fire Smith

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois has fired coach Lovie Smith with a game left in its ninth consecutive losing season.

Smith became the school’s first Black head football coach when he was hired by athletic director Josh Whitman in March 2016. The longtime NFL coach went 17-39 in five seasons with the Illini.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-AP POLL

Bama still unanimous No. 1

UNDATED (AP) — Alabama remains the unanimous No. 1 team in The Associated Press college football poll as the Crimson Tide prepare for Florida in the SEC title game.

The rest of the top-5 remain the same, with Notre Dame followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Texas A&M. Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Coastal Carolina and Georgia round out the top-10.

Florida fell from sixth to 11th with Saturday’s loss to LSU.

MLB-INDIANS-NAME

Cleveland dropping “Indians” nickname

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians reportedly are changing their nickname after 105 years.

The New York Times cites three sources that say the team is moving away from a name considered racist for decades. The Indians have been internally discussing a potential name change for months.

A team spokesman told The Associated Press the franchise has no immediate comment on the report.

MLB-METS-PORTER

Mets, Porter finalize deal

NEW YORK (AP) — Jared Porter is the 14th general manager in New York Mets history after the two sides hammered out a four-year contract.

The 41-year-old Porter spent the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks as senior vice president and assistant general manager. He also worked under Theo Epstein with the Red Sox and Cubs, winning three World Series in Boston’s front office and another with Chicago before joining the Diamondbacks in 2017.

MLB-OBIT-LINZ

Backup infielder Linz dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Yankees infielder Phil Linz has died at 81 after being in poor health for several years.

Linz hit .235 with 11 homers as a backup for the Yankees, Phillies and Mets. He also homered off Bob Gibson in Game 7 of the 1964 World Series, but he’s best known in baseball lore for angering manager Yogi Berra by playing the harmonica on a team bus following a double-header loss in ’64. Linz was fined $50 and Berra was subsequently fired after the season.

T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-

UNDATED (AP) — Luka Garza made the most of his 20 minutes of work as third-ranked Iowa improved to 6-0.

Garza delivered 23 points and eight rebounds in the Hawkeyes, 106-53 thumping of Northern Illinois. The Associated Press preseason All-American was 8 of 10 from the field and is shooting 69.1% for the season.

Joe Wieskamp (WEES’-kamp) chipped in 20 points for Iowa, which scored 15 straight during a 25-2 first-half run.

In other top-25 men’s basketball play:

— Gabe Brown scored a career-high 20 points and fourth-ranked Michigan State used a 13-0 run early in the second half to pull away in a 109-91 victory against Oakland. Aaron Henry scored 15 points and Joshua Langford contributed 13 to help the Spartans overcome Rashad Williams’ 36-point performance for the Golden Grizzlies.

— Miles McBride scored 20 points and 11th-ranked West Virginia shot a blistering 66% in the first half of an 87-71 victory over No. 19 Richmond. Taz Sherman added 15 points and the Mountaineers jumped out to a 52-30 halftime lead.

— No. 22 Ohio State held off Cleveland State, 67-61 behind 17 points from Duane Washington Jr. C.J. Walker added 16 points and freshman Zed Key had his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

— Remy Martin capped his 31-point afternoon by draining a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left to give No. 23 Arizona State to a 71-70 victory over Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon rallied from an eight-point deficit to take a 70-68 lead in the final minute on consecutive 3-pointers by Jovan Blacksher Jr. and Alessandro Lever.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS

Gators star still critical but stable

UNDATED (AP) — Florida forward Keyontae Johnson remains in critical but stable condition at a Tallahassee hospital, a day after he collapsed on the court during a game at Florida State.

No details have been released about what might have caused the SEC preseason player of the year to crumple to the floor as teams came out of a timeout early in the game.

Florida sent one of its jets to Norfolk, Virginia, to get Johnson’s parents Saturday and take them to Tallahassee to be with their son. Gators coach Mike White also stayed there overnight along with head athletic trainer Dave Werner.

In other college basketball news:

— The ACC has postponed Wednesday night’s men’s basketball game between No. 25 Louisville and North Carolina State because of positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining within the Cardinals program. Louisville resumed activities on Thursday after a weeklong pause.

— Northern Iowa says it won’t play its scheduled men’s basketball matchups with No. 13 Wisconsin or Marshall this week. Coach Ben Jacobson says the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries have had a major impact on his team and the players it has available.

— Former Illinois-Chicago head coach Jimmy Collins has died at 74. Collins had four 20-win seasons with the Flames and led them to their only NCAA tournament appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2004.

NHL-OBIT-LACROIX

Former Avs GM dies

DENVER (AP) — Former NHL executive Pierre Lacroix has died at 72.

Lacroix was a driving force behind turning the Avalanche into a perennial power after the team relocated from Quebec to Denver for the 1995-96 season. The Avs hoisted the ’96 Stanley Cup Trophy in their first season in the Mile High City and again in 2001 after Lacroix acquired Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy (wah) from Montreal.

LPGA-US WOMEN’S OPEN

Final LPGA major of season to resume today

HOUSTON (AP) — A relentless rainstorm has pushed the U.S. Women’s Open into today.

Third-round leader Hinako Shibuno never teed off on Sunday. The round was just over an hour old when thunderstorms in the area caused play to be stopped. It never resumed, with about three-quarters of an inch of rain falling before there was no point in trying to restart.

Shibuno will carry a one-shot lead over American Amy Olson into Monday’s play.

PGA-QBE SHOOTOUT

Kuchar-English complete QBE rout

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Matt Kuchar and Harris English broke a bunch of their own QBE Shootout records in a runaway victory Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club.

They became the first team to win the event three times, finished at 37-under 179 to break the mark of 34 under they set in 2013. Their nine-stroke victory tops their 2013 record of seven.

Five strokes ahead after an 11-under 61 on Saturday in modified alternate-shot play, Kuchar and English shot a 60 in better-ball play. English closed birdie-eagle-birdie.

Defending champions Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Tway tied for second at 28 under with Lanto Griffin and Mackenzie Hughes and first-round leaders Kevin Na and Sean O’Hair.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential electors are meeting across the United States to formally choose Joe Biden as the nation’s next president. Monday is the day set by law for the meeting of the Electoral College. In reality, electors meet in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to cast their ballots. The results will be sent to Washington, and tallied in a Jan. 6 joint session of Congress over which Vice President Mike Pence will preside. The electors’ votes have drawn more attention than usual this year because President Donald Trump has refused to concede the election and continued to make baseless allegations of fraud.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden’s aides have a message for President Donald Trump and his supporters: It’s long past time to move on. With the Electoral College set to formally elect Biden as president on Monday, his aides say they hope Republicans will consider their own long-term interests and the country’s, accept Trump’s defeat and focus their attention on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and staving off economic tumult. Republicans, by and large, have stood by Trump as he’s made unsubstantiated claims of a rigged election and show no signs they’ll give Biden the semblance of a honeymoon period.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hackers broke into the networks of the Treasury and Commerce departments as part of a global cyberespionage campaign revealed just days after a leading cybersecurity firm said it had been breached in an attack that industry experts said bore the hallmarks of Russian tradecraft. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity arm were investigating what experts and former officials said appeared to be a large-scale penetration of U.S. government agencies — apparently the same monthslong cyberespionage campaign that also afflicted the prominent cybersecurity firm FireEye.

(AP) Shares have advanced in world markets as investors watch for developments on Britain’s trade talks with the European Union and on a new round of aid for American businesses and workers. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Monday he believes a Brexit trade agreement is possible now that remaining disputes have been whittled down to just two. The quarterly “tankan” survey by the Bank of Japan showed business sentiment has improved sharply as the economy recovers from a year-long recession. The main measure of business conditions of large manufacturers rose to minus 10 from minus 27. U.S. stock indexes pulled further away from their recent highs on Friday as prospects for another aid package from Washington faded.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s reversing an administration directive to vaccinate top government officials against COVID-19 while public distribution of the shot is limited to front-line health workers and people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Trump made the announcement in a tweet Sunday night, hours after his administration confirmed that senior U.S. officials, including some White House aides who work in close proximity to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, would be offered coronavirus vaccines as soon as this week under federal continuity of government plans. It was not immediately clear what effect Trump’s tweet would have on the government’s efforts to protect top leadership.