CSi Weather…

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 12-A.M. THROUGH 6-P.M. WEDNESDAY STUTSMAN AND 3-AM TO 12 a.m.BARNES COUNTY

Stutsman, LaMoure and Dickey counties. Eastern North Dakota including Barnes County, into portions of the northwest quarter of Minnesota.

* WHAT…Snow and strong winds are expected. .Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations of around one to two inches inch possible in the Jamestown area, 2-4 inches and a light glaze of ice possible.in the Valley City area . Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.. Where the wind and snow overlap,
significant reductions in visibility could develop.

* WHERE…Stutsman, La Moure and Dickey counties. Eastern North Dakota including Barnes County, into portions of the northwest quarter of Minnesota.

* IMPACTS…Areas of falling and blowing snow could significantly
reduce the visibility. The cold wind chills as low as 15 below
to 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as
little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…This event will occur during the Wednesday
morning rush, and later Wednesday, and it also falls during a busy holiday travel period.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

 

Forecast

REST OF TODAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 40s. Southeast.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow in the evening, then

snow after midnight. Windy, colder. Snow accumulation around

1 inch. Lows 5 to 10 above. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to

around 40 mph increasing to northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts to

around 60 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

.WEDNESDAY…Cloudy with snow in the morning, then mostly sunny

in the afternoon. Patchy blowing and drifting snow through the

day. Very windy. Much colder. Snow accumulation around 1 -2 inches.

Storm total around 2 inches. Highs 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds

30 to 40 mph with gusts to around 60 mph. Wind chills around

20 below.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Patchy blowing and drifting snow

in the evening. Windy. Lows around 5 below. Northwest winds 20 to

30 mph with gusts to around 45 mph decreasing to around 15 mph

with gusts to around 30 mph after midnight.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs around 10. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

.CHRISTMAS DAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

 

Jamestown  (NDHP)  The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the Jamestown Man who died in a pickup trailer crash Sunday afternoon about 1:23-p.m., on I-94 west of Medina as 61 year old Harlan Vining.

The Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west bound on Interstate 94 near mile marker 231. The Chevrolet partially entered the median of Interstate 94 as the trailer began to fishtail. Vining overcorrected to the right and entered the North ditch of Interstate 94. The Chevrolet entered the North ditch traveling sideways causing it to trip and overturn. Vining was ejected from the Chevrolet. Vining was transported by Medina Ambulance to Jamestown Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased due to his injuries sustained in the crash. The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

 

ND Covid Stats

Mon Dec. 21, 2020

Barnes County

New Positives:  1

Total Positives: 1210

Active:  38

Recovered:  1149

 

Stutsman County

Antigen tests (BinaxNOW, etc.) were added to the website beginning Dec. 9.

New Positives:  9

Total Positives:  2969

Active:  112

Recovered: 2787

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

 

BY THE NUMBERS

1,619 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,269,206 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

78 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

70 – PCR Tests | 8 antigen tests
90,121 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

4.84% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

2,795 – Total Active Cases

-140 Individuals from Yesterday

220 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (216 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

86,233 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

158 – Currently Hospitalized

+2 – Individuals from yesterday

 

2 – New Deaths*** (1,233 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 70s from Burleigh County.
  • Man in his 70s from Ward County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED MONDAY

  • Barnes County – 1
  • Benson County – 1
  • Burleigh County – 19
  • Cass County – 16
  • Dickey County – 2
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Foster County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 4
  • LaMoure County – 1
  • McHenry County – 1
  • McIntosh County – 2
  • McKenzie County – 1
  • McLean County – 2
  • Morton County – 5
  • Oliver County – 1
  • Rolette County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Stutsman County – 9
  • Traill County – 1
  • Walsh County – 2
  • Ward County – 5

 

* 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.

Case investigators will again be reaching out to close contacts of positive cases to ask them to quarantine and seek testing for the virus.

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 they will hold COVID 19 testing Tuesday Dec 22, from 10 am to 12 noon at the Jamestown Civic Center, using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow.

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.

Valley City (CCHD)  City County Health District in Valley City has announced that the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Valley City.

<Doctors and front-line health care workers in Valley City celebrate the arrival of the new COVID-19 vaccine.

Statement from Theresa Will, City County Health District (CCHD) director and the lead for the pandemic command center in Valley City:

“It’s an historic moment…the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Valley City. The first shipment of vaccine will be given to front-line health care workers over the next 2 weeks. This is a very special day—a day we’ve been waiting for.”

The first vaccine will be available for tier one staff, those who are prioritized because of elevated risk of viral exposure and nursing home residents who suffer higher rates of severe COVID-19. This is why the Sheyenne Care Center will be providing vaccinations for both its employees and staff.

Other healthcare sites receiving the vaccine this week include CHI Mercy Health, CCHD, and Sanford Health. CCHD will provide the vaccinations for Open Door, Legacy, and Emergency Responders (e.g. the ambulance team, the sheriff, police and dispatch). Thrifty White Drug Store is involved via a government contract and will provide vaccinations for Maryvale and Bridgeview.

All the providers at Essentia Clinic in Valley City received the vaccine last week. Dr. Tanya Diegel of Essentia says,  “I am definitely encouraging my patients to take the vaccine. The availability of this safe and effective vaccine is crucial in our fight against this virus. “

Dr. Misty Anderson of Sanford Health, says, “It’s important that we reach herd immunity. She continues, “herd immunity means that 70-75% of the population receive the vaccine, that’s the only way we’ll be able to bring this virus under control. I, too, will be encouraging my patients to take the vaccine.”

The COVID-19 vaccine from two companies has been approved by the FDA. Both vaccines require two shots with the Pfizer vaccine to be given 21 days apart and the Moderna vaccine given 28 days apart.

The statement adds,  “Our community and state has certainly been touched by COVID-19, with many people falling ill,
some dying. And nationwide over 310,000 people have unnecessarily died from this disease. Medical people across the world are rejoicing in the hope that this vaccine will bring.”

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A major pharmacy and health care chain says it will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines next week at long-term care facilities in North Dakota, where the death rate due to complications from the virus is among the worst in the country. CVS Health spokeswoman Abby Major says 41 centers in North Dakota selected the company as their provider for inoculations. She declined to name the facilities, citing a concern for privacy and security. Major says the rollout will likely occur over several days while the facilities determine when the vaccine will be administered and when they schedule on-site clinics. State statistics compiled Monday show that 750 residents of long-term care facilities in North Dakota have died because of the virus.

Bismarck  (CSi) – Gov. Doug Burgum Monday signed an amended executive order paving the way for restaurants and bars to resume normal hours of operation as active cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have decreased in North Dakota.

Bars, restaurants and other food service establishments have been closed to in-person service between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. since Nov. 16, one of several mitigation measures announced Nov. 13 to slow the spread of COVID-19 as active cases and hospitalizations were peaking. Take-out, curbside and delivery services were allowed to continue during those hours.

Under Monday’s amended executive order, bars, restaurants and other food service may resume normal operating hours at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, consistent with local and state requirements. These establishments remain limited to 50 percent of their licensed seated capacity, not to exceed 150 patrons, until 8 a.m. Jan. 8 to limit opportunities for virus transmission. Seating arrangements and tables must allow for at least 6 feet of physical distance between individual parties; dance areas must be closed; service must be provided to seated patrons only; and masks must be worn by owners, managers and employees at all times, and by patrons except when eating or drinking.

Burgum says, “These businesses are an important part of our economy, and we’re deeply grateful for their efforts and sacrifices to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce actives cases and hospitalizations.  With the great efforts and personal responsibility of North Dakotans, the combination of the other mitigation measures we still have in place, and the promise and expanding deployment of vaccines, rapid tests and therapeutics, we can allow restaurants and bars to resume normal operating hours and still continue to protect the vulnerable, preserve hospital capacity and keep students in the classroom.”

A State Health Officer order requiring face coverings to be worn in indoor businesses and indoor public settings as well as outdoor public settings where physical distancing isn’t possible, remains in effect until 12:01 a.m. Jan. 18. Banquet, ballroom and event venues also remain limited to 25 percent of their maximum occupancy, not to exceed the ND Smart Restart capacity limits, until 8 a.m. Jan. 8.

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in North Dakota have decreased to 158 from a peak of 341 on Nov. 11, while active cases have decreased to 2,655 since peaking at 10,293 on Nov. 13, according to the Department of Health. The state’s 14-day rolling average positivity rate also has decreased from 15.7 percent to 6.2 percent since Nov. 17.

While hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have decreased by more than half from their peak, some hospitals continue to report increased usage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds due to higher non-COVID cases. To avoid another surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the governor urges residents to physically distance, wear masks, wash hands, limit holiday gatherings and take advantage of testing opportunities. Visit www.health.nd.gov/testnd for more information on testing times and locations.

Burgum says, “The next 10 days over the holidays are a period of high risk for transmission, and it’s up to all North Dakotans to ensure we continue trending in the right direction.”

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

Jamestown  (NDFU)  The North Dakota Farmers Union, in a statement says,Yesterday evening’s congressional passage of $900 billion in COVID-19 relief aid includes $13 billion for American farmers and ranchers.

 

North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne, says, “We pushed hard for additional support for farmers and ranchers impacted by market disruptions and we’re glad that funding was included in the bill. This support will put farmers on better footing heading into the 2021 crop year.”

 

The assistance will be distributed as a supplement to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments. Approximately $11.2 billion will be in the form of direct payments and other support to producers and processors. Row crop farmers can expect to receive $20 an acre, and cattle producers will receive a top-up payment to cover gaps in CFAP 1 and CFAP 2.

 

Additionally, Watne said the package contains $28 million for farm stress programs administered by state departments of agriculture; a 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and additional funding for food banks and hunger programs; and authorization for the secretary of agriculture to provide direct support to biofuel plants.

 

Watne adds, “We are glad to see Congress finally granting authority to support biofuel producers, many of whom are struggling to stay in operation.  Their livelihood directly impacts the bottom line of farmers everywhere.”

Jamestown (CSi) A Jamestown woman partnered with Operation Gratitude when she surprised employees at frontline businesses and organizations with a delivery of a total of 800 gift baskets.

An employee at the James River Correctional Center, and frontline worker, Tia Nordberg who is relatively new to Jamestown decided not being from North Dakota it gave her the opportunity and time to give back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She partnered with Operation Gratitude, a nationwide nonprofit, to assemble and then deliver the gift bags. The 800 baskets went to employees with the fire department, law enforcement, and the prison.

350 baskets going to Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City (Chamber)  12-21-20 Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud has issued a new statement to the community.

Greetings Folks,

For a number of religious Faiths this is a special time of the year. Whatever your celebration is, remember to include Faith, Hope, Love and Gratitude.

North Dakota and Barnes County continue making small improvements on the COVID numbers. Thank you for your efforts.

Family gatherings have been spreaders. Holidays bring stronger urges to gather with family because they are traditional. Please pause and use your best judgment. With the vaccine just around the corner and continued masking etc. progress will continue. The light at the end of the tunnel is a little brighter so “keep on keeping on”.

That we are a Municipal Power Community, our Electrical Department is always watching for opportunities to reduce peak load growth as a cost saving measure for us. Recently our Electrical Department partnered with the Airport Authority on a lighting project producing the aforementioned savings.  Through MRES and Bright Energy Solutions there may be something for you. https://www.mrenergy.com/services/energy-efficiency

Nice: Thank you to our Fire Fighters who helped assemble Christmas Food Boxes last week.

* PLEASE, recycle cardboard boxes etc. Thank you.

“May the simple joys of this time of year bring peace to your heart and fill your home with cheer.”   (Leanin’ Tree)                                                  

Blessings, Pray, Be Safe and Be Kind,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

HILL CITY, Minn. (AP) — A contractor working on the Enbridge Energy Line 3 pipeline project has died in a fatal accident. Enbridge Energy spokeswoman Juli Kellner says the accident happened Friday at a construction yard in Hill City. Kellner said work in the area was stopped on Friday, but resumed Saturday. Few other details were released and Kellner said no more information would be shared while the investigation continues.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A plan that designates where oil wells can be built within the Little Missouri National Grassland is frustrating conservationists, who say it allows wells near roads in certain pristine areas. The plan by the U.S. Forest Service was released earlier this month. It offers protections for sage grouse, rare plants and bighorn sheep. Grasslands supervisor Bennie South says the plan recognizes the changes in oil and gas development in North Dakota. But conservationists say they were surprised by a provision in the plan that allows for oil well pads within a quarter-mile of existing roads in areas where new roads generally cannot be built.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Four Midwestern universities have formed a space-oriented academic and research alliance aimed at luring the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The Omaha World-Herald reports that University of Nebraska President Ted Carter says the partnership with the University of North Dakota, Kansas State University and Purdue would develop new degree programs and research initiatives. Offutt is among the six finalists to become the headquarters. Other finalists are Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Redstone Army Airfield in Alabama and the former Kelly Air Force Base in Texas.

In sports…

Monday

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Including results from the Jimmie Classic at UJ

Glen Ullin-Hebron 67, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 55

Northern Cass 61, (8) Linton/HMB 51

New Salem-Almont 58, Sargent Co. 54

(RV) Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier 57, (RV) Hatton/Northwood 37

(5) Beulah 73, (RV) Oak Grrove

Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier,  Hatton/Northwood 57-37

Beulah 73, Oak Grove Lutheran 61

Dickinson Trinity 64, Shiloh Christian 41

Drake-Anamoose 73, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 67

Four Winds/Minnewaukan 85, Enderlin 70

Glen Ullin-Hebron 67, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 55

Grafton 86, Midway-Minto 40

Kenmare 68, Glenburn 61

New Salem-Almont 58, Sargent County 54

Northern Cass 61, Linton-HMB 51

St. John 69, Cavalier 50

 

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Bismarck Legacy 83, Dickinson 51

Bottineau 62, South Prairie 32

Fargo Davies 75, West Fargo 56

Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 60, Ellendale 29

New Rockford-Sheyenne 35, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 28

North Star 53, Rolla 27

Park River Area 36, Drayton/Valley-Edinburg 34

Shiloh Christian 49, Dickinson Trinity 39

Washburn 56, Killdeer 50

YANKTON, S.D.  (UJ)  — The University of Jamestown women’s basketball team got back in the win column with a 65-44 victory over Mount Marty (S.D.) University Monday afternoon in Great Plains Athletic Conference action.

Hannah DeMars (SO/Grand Rapids, MN) posted a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way for the Jimmies.

UJ improves to 7-4 overall and 5-4 in the GPAC. Mount Marty falls to 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the GPAC.

Jamestown opened the game with an 11-4 lead and never trailed, leading 15-8 after one.

Mount Marty closed the gap to six points with 6:12 left in the half only to have the Jimmies go on a 10-0 run over the next 3:01 to push the lead to 16 points.

The Jimmies took a 33-15 lead into the break and would go ahead by 20 early in the third. While Mount Marty shot 50 percent from the field in the quarter, they would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way.

UJ shot 39.4 percent from the field (26-66), 27.8 percent on threes (5-18), and 80 percent on free throws (8-10). Mount Marty shot 30 percent from the field (18-60), 11.5 percent from three (3-26), and 100 percent at the foul line (5-5). UJ outrebounded the Lancers 47-29 and had two fewer turnovers (16-14).

Joining DeMars in double figures were Noelle Josephson (JR/Ramsey, MN) with 14 points and Macy Savela (SO/Mountain Iron, MN) with 11 points. Josephson added nine rebounds while Kia Tower (SO/Bigfork, MN) had four assists.

Mount Marty was led in scoring by Kayla Jacobson and Sarah Castaneda with eight points each.

The Jimmies return to action on January 2, hosting Hastings (Neb.) College at 1 p.m.

 

NFL-MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL..

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers look nothing like the team that opened the NFL season with 11 straight wins.

The Steelers wasted a chance to clinch the AFC North title by falling to the struggling Bengals, 27-17. Giovani Bernard scored two touchdowns while Cincinnati was building a 17-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Ryan Finley completed seven passes for 89 yards, but his 23-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter all but sealed it as the Bengals handed the Steelers their third straight loss. The Steelers got within 17-10 before Finley ran untouched around the left side with 11:21 left.

Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH’-lihs-burger) completed 20 of his 38 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

NFL-NEWS

Pro Bowl picks announced

UNDATED (AP) — Led by their star quarterbacks, the Seahawks, Chiefs and Packers join the Ravens as having seven players selected to the Pro Bowl.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (mah-HOHMZ’) joins Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Houston’s Deshaun Watson as the AFC quarterbacks. For the NFC, it’s Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Arizona’s Kyler Murray.

Mahomes and Rodgers are the starters, though there will be no actual game this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic

Elsewhere in the NFL:

— Browns offensive lineman Chris Hubbard will miss significant time with a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s win over the Giants. Coach Kevin Stefanski would not comment on a report that Hubbard needs season-ending surgery to repair torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap.

— Jalen Hurts has earned a third consecutive start following an impressive performance in Philadelphia’s 33-26 loss at Arizona. Hurts threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 63 and a score against the Cardinals. He helped the Eagles rally from a 16-0 deficit to tie it 26-26 late in the third quarter. Philly visits Dallas on Sunday.

— The Panthers have fired general manager Marty Hurney after the team lost eight of its last nine games and failed to make the playoffs for a third straight season. Hurney’s contract was set to expire after the season.

— Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene has died at 58. The Hall of Fame and his family confirmed the news without providing cause of death. Greene is considered one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history. The two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection finished his career with 160 sacks, which ranks third in league history behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UNDATED (AP) — Top-ranked Gonzaga successfully began a stretch in which they are facing Northwestern State on back-to-back nights.

The Bulldogs rolled to a 95-57 victory as Corey Kispert poured in 27 points on 10 of 13 shooting. Anton Watson provided 15 points and seven rebounds in the rout, while Jalen Suggs had 12 points, seven boards and seven assists.

The Bulldogs had a comfortable 13-point lead at halftime before Mark Few’s team outscored the Demons, 52-27 the rest of the way.

Drew Timme was among five Zags to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

In other college basketball action:

— LJ Cryer furnished a team-high 15 points off the bench as second-ranked Baylor blew out Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 99-42. Jared Butler contributed 14 points and seven assists, while MaCio Teague (MAY-see-oh teeg) added 13 points. The Bears’ bench outscored Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s subs, 55-0.

— Eighth-ranked Tennessee is 5-0 after blowing out Saint Joseph’s, 102-66. The Volunteers had six players score in double-figures, led by Victor Bailey Jr.’s 18 points. Santiago Vescovi delivered 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Vols, who built a 56-33 halftime lead and dropped the Hawks to 0-5.

— Anthony Polite had a career-high 15 points and Balsa Koprivica (koh-prah-VEETS’-uh) added a season-best 14 as No. 21 Florida State topped Gardner-Webb, 72-59. The 5-1 Seminoles outrebounded the Runnin’ Bulldogs, 53-30 and hit 75% of their 32 free throws to put the game away.

— Jalen Cone came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points and Keve Aluma added 14 in Virginia Tech’s 84-58 trouncing of Longwood. The 24th-ranked Hokies outscored the Lancers, 50-28 in the second half, hours after cracking the AP poll.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL POLL

Gonzaga strengthens hold on top spot

UNDATED (AP) — Gonzaga has strengthened its hold on the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll after beating Iowa.

The Zags received 61 of 64 first-place votes from a media panel and No. 2 Baylor got the remaining three. No. 3 Kansas moved up 2 spots this week, with Iowa and Villanova rounding out the top 5.

No. 10 Texas cracked the top 10 for the first time since reaching No. 6 in 2014-15. No. 12 Michigan State dropped 8 spots after losing to Northwestern.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Syracuse and Buffalo programs on hold

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — The Syracuse and Buffalo men’s basketball programs are on pause after a member of the Bulls tested positive for COVID-19. The decision by both teams comes after they played Saturday in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Buffalo did not reveal who tested positive, except to say it involved either an athlete or member of the team’s coaching or support staff. The school was notified of the positive test on Sunday.

It’s unclear how long the Buffalo pause will last, with the school saying it will follow NCAA, conference and local health protocols. Contact tracing is underway at Syracuse.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-MEMPHIS-HARDAWAY

Hardaway gets five-year extension at Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Penny Hardaway has agreed to a five-year extension worth $12.2 million with Memphis to keep the third-year men’s basketball coach under contract through April 2026.

Hardaway is 48-27 and had the No. 1 recruiting class in 2019. And game attendance rebounded during his first two seasons.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-BOWL SCHEDULE

Appalachian State runs past North Texas

UNDATED (AP) — Camerun Peoples ran for a bowl-record 319 yards and tied a record with five rushing touchdowns as Appalachian State beat North Texas 56-28 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Peoples surpassed the 307 yards rushing of Georgia Tech’s PJ Daniels in the 2004 Humanitarian Bowl.

The Mountaineers finished with 508 yards rushing and remain perfect in bowls since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2014.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE FOOTBALL-MILITARY BOWL

Military Bowl canceled

UNDATED (AP) — The Military Bowl has been canceled after a host of teams opted not to play in bowl games this season. The bowl game has been held annually at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, since debuting in 2008.

The bowl matches teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference.

In other college football news related to the pandemic:

— No. 15 Iowa says it’s pausing football activities for at least five days because of a COVID-19 outbreak but still hopes to play in next week’s Music City Bowl. Iowa is scheduled to play Missouri in the bowl game in Nashville on Dec. 30. Coach Kirk Ferentz says he met with team leaders “and they overwhelmingly want to play in the bowl game.”

— Army has replaced Tennessee as West Virginia’s opponent at the Liberty Bowl. The Volunteers had to withdraw because of COVID-19 test results, becoming the first team to back out since bowl berths were announced. The 9-2 Black Knights had been left without a postseason game when the Dec. 26 Independence Bowl was canceled Sunday night.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-LSU-PELLINI

LSU to have a new defensive coordinator

UNDATED (AP) — LSU will be searching for a new defensive coordinator.

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Bo Pelini is leaving the program after one difficult season in which the Tigers allowed six opponents to gain more than 500 yards. Pelini was in his second stint as defensive coordinator at LSU, having served in the same capacity under Les Miles when the Tigers won a national title in the 2007 season.

MLB-KENDRICK RETIRES

Kendrick ends career

WASHINGTON (AP) — Howie Kendrick has announced his retirement after 15 major league seasons that included earning NLCS MVP honors during the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series run.

The Nationals decided in October not to pick up their side of Kendrick’s $6.5 million mutual option for next season, but general manager Mike Rizzo recently said the 37-year-old utility player would be welcomed back.

Kendrick was a lifetime .294 hitter with a .430 slugging average, 127 home runs and 724 RBIs.

MLB-WHITE SOX-LA RUSSA

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa says he doesn’t have a drinking problem. He also says he has to prove that with his behavior.

The 76-year-old La Russa has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge to resolve misdemeanor drunken driving charges stemming from his arrest nearly 10 months ago on a freeway in metro Phoenix.

He pleaded guilty to reckless driving in Maricopa County Justice Court and was sentenced to one day of home detention, a fine of nearly $1,400 and 20 hours of community service.

La Russa said he feels “deep remorse and regret” about what happened. He underwent 20 hours of alcohol counseling after his arrest, which he described as “very helpful.”

NBA-NEWS

Bucks lose 2022 2nd-round pick over early Bogdanovic talks

UNDATED (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have lost a 2022 second-round draft pick as punishment for their negotiations with Bogdan Bogdanovic.

The NBA has determined the team held discussions with Bogdanovic or his agent before it was allowed under free agency rules. The league says the violation constituted “conduct detrimental to the NBA.”

The sign-and-trade fizzled as the NBA announced its investigation. Bogdanovic ended up signing with with Atlanta when Sacramento chose to not match the Hawks’ four-year, $72 million offer sheet.

Also around the NBA:

— The Clippers have signed guard Luke Kennard to a multiyear contract extension. Kennard was acquired as part of a three-team trade on Nov. 19 after averaging a career-high 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 28 games for Detroit last season. The 6-foot-5 guard was selected by the Pistons as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft out of Duke.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has easily passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package. It promises to deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Lawmakers tacked on a $1.4 trillion catchall spending bill and thousands of pages of other end-of-session business to create a massive bundle of bipartisan legislation. The bill passed both the House and Senate in rapid succession Monday night and has been sent to President Donald Trump for his signature, expected in the coming days.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California is desperately searching for nurses, doctors and other medical staff, perhaps from as far away as Australia, as the coronavirus surge pushes hospitals to the breaking point. With many of the state’s hospitals running out of capacity to treat the severest cases, the state has brought in and deployed more than 500 temporary medical staff members, but it needs a total of 3,000. The staffing shortage in California comes as a surge of COVID-19 cases across the U.S. has led to a nationwide demand for contracted medical workers, particularly nurses with critical care expertise.

(AP) European shares and U.S. futures have bounced back after Congress approved a $900 billion package of measures to help the economy get through the pandemic. Stocks rose in Paris, London and Frankfurt but fell Tuesday in Tokyo and other Asian markets. The Shanghai Composite index dropped nearly 2%. The long awaited economic package approved late Monday in Washington helped counter worries over the spread of the coronavirus. The discovery in Britain of a new, potentially more infectious strain of the virus that has countries around the world restricting travel from the United Kingdom, adding to worries over the possible economic consequences if it spreads to other countries or proves resistant to vaccines now being distributed.

LONDON (AP) — More than 1,500 trucks are stranded in England amid fears that Britain could face food shortages if trade restrictions put in place to slow the spread of a new strain of the coronavirus aren’t lifted soon. Dozens of countries around the world have slapped tough travel curbs on the U.K. in recent days: From Canada to India, nations banned flights from Britain, while France barred the entry of trucks from the country for 48 hours from late Sunday while the strain is assessed. Home Secretary Priti Patel told BBC radio Tuesday that the British government is “speaking constantly” with France to achieve a swift resolution in order to get freight moving again. In the meantime, trucks were piling up in southeast England.

 

BEIJING (AP) — China has hit back with reciprocal actions against unnamed American officials in the latest back-and-forth between the rivals. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday also called on President Donald Trump not to sign into law legislation approved by Congress on Tibet. The visa move came in response to a State Department announcement Monday that said the U.S. would deny visas to Chinese Communist Party officials whose policies or actions are aimed at repressing religious groups, ethnic minorities, dissidents or others. The U.S.-China relationship has become increasingly fraught as the two countries battle over issues from human rights to the coronavirus and trade.

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s Justice Ministry says the U.S. Congress has moved forward on Washington’s promise to end the African country’s pariah status. The ministry said Tuesday Congress passed legislation that restored to Sudan what is known as sovereign immunity, a measure that would effectively stop future compensation claims from being filed against it in U.S. courts. It did not grant Sudan immunity from being sued by the 9/11 victims’ families. The legislation caps efforts by President Donald Trump to remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of its normalization deal with Israel.

 

BEN-GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel (AP) — Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner is leading a delegation from Israel to Morocco. Joined by Israel’s national security adviser, he departed Tuesday on the first known direct flight since the two countries established full diplomatic ties earlier this month as part of a series of U.S.-brokered normalization accords with Arab countries. Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, has overseen the diplomatic push that has seen the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalize relations with Israel in historic agreements. Those countries in turn secured major favors from Washington, including recognition of Morocco’s annexation of disputed Western Sahara.

 

BERLIN (AP) — The chief executive of BioNTech says the German pharmaceutical company is confident that its coronavirus vaccine works against the UK variant, but further studies are needed to be completely sure. Ugur Sahin said Tuesday that “we don’t know at the moment if our vaccine is also able to provide protection against this new variant,” but because the proteins on the variant are 99% the same as the prevailing strains, BioNTech has “scientific confidence” in the vaccine. Sahin said BioNTech is currently conducting further studies and hopes to have certainty within the coming weeks. BioNTech’s vaccine, developed together with U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer, is authorized for use in more than 45 countries.

 

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of email accounts at the Treasury Department were compromised in the massive breach of U.S. government agencies being blamed on Russia. That’s according to an Oregon Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden, who says hackers broke into systems used by the department’s highest-ranking officials. Wyden issued a statement Monday after he and other members of the Senate Finance Committee were briefed by the IRS and the Treasury Department. Wyden says that though there is no indication that taxpayer data was compromised, the hack “appears to be significant.”