– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Feb 11

CSi Weather…

…WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST /11 AM MST/ SUNDAY…FEB 14

* WHAT…Dangerous wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.

* WHERE…Much of western and central North Dakota. This includes the Tribal Lands of the MHA Nation and the Standing Rock Sioux Nation…Portions of central, north central, northwest and west central Minnesota and southeast North Dakota.

* WHEN…Until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Sunday.

* IMPACTS…The dangerously cold wind chills could cause
frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The coldest wind chills will come at
night and during the morning hours.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure to
cover all exposed skin and dress in layers. If you must travel,
carry a winter survival kit and alert others of you travel plans.

Forecast…

REST OF TODAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs around 10 below. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chills around 35 below.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 25 below. West winds around

10 mph. Wind chills around 40 below.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 10 below. West winds 10 to

15 mph. Lowest wind chills around 45 below in the morning.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 20 below. Northwest

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 10 below. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 25 below.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs around 5 below.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 20 below.

.WASHINGTONS BIRTHDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs zero to 5 above.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 10 below.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 5 to 10 above.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 5 below.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 10 to 15.

Bismarck (CSi) Gov. Doug Burgum held a press briefing with the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Wednesday afternoon, providing an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota. Guest speakers included Molly Howell, NDDoH Immunization Program Manager, and Dr. Christie Massen, NDDoH Chief Laboratory Officer.

Burgum said the COVID-19 fight is a “marathon,” rather than a sprint, and the “finish line,” is still unknown. He pointed out that last month the statewide risk level had been lowered from moderate to low risk. With hospital capacity, Burgum said, hospitalizations in North Dakota due to COVID is dropping, since the peak in November, 2020. He said North Dakota is in the top five in the U.S. for testing, and second for vaccine doses administered.

North Dakota is listed as the second safest state in the U.S. regarding COVID-19, number one in the contiguous states.

The Vaccine Locator is on the NDDoH website. The vaccine locator shows where COVID-19 vaccine is available in your area, who they are currently vaccinating, how to contact them, and more. The vaccine locator can be found at www.health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelocator. In addition, individuals 65 and older who don’t have access to the internet can reach out to the Public Health Hotline at 866-207-2880 to get resources and request assistance in finding a COVID-19 vaccine. As vaccinations continue to be administered across North Dakota, many areas are beginning to vaccinate 65 and older. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is encouraging North Dakotans to help family, friends and neighbors who are 65 and older connect with a COVID-19 vaccine. Whether it’s getting on a waiting list or scheduling an appointment, you can help someone in need of COVID-19 vaccine receive it as quickly as possible.

Burgum said, long-term care visitations are increasing, as schools are increasingly offering in class learning. Long-term care visitation rules are coming for the most part from federal officials, based on the type of facility.

COVID-19 Stats

Posted Wed. Feb. 10, 2021

Barnes:

New Positives 0

Total Positives 1281

Active 3

Recovered 1243

Stutsman

New Positives 6

Total Positives 3263

Active 18

Recovered 3159

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

Please note that from now on the daily news release will be sent Monday – Friday. The NDDoH dashboard will continue to be updated daily.

BY THE NUMBERS

89,313 – Residents who received at least one dose of vaccine

141,267 – Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered

7,121 – Total Tests from yesterday*

1,570,450 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

145 – Positive Individuals from yesterday*****

71 PCR Tests | 74 Antigen Tests
98,214 Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

2.59% – Daily Positivity Rate**

759 – Total Active Cases

+25 Individuals from yesterday

112 – with a recovery date of yesterday****

96,026 Total recovered since the pandemic began

34 – Currently Hospitalized  

-3 Individuals from yesterday

2 – New Deaths*** (1,429 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Man in his 70s from Kidder County. 
Woman in her 60s from Morton County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

Benson County – 1
Bottineau County – 1
Burke County – 1
Burleigh County – 36
Cass County – 17
Dickey County – 2
Foster County – 2
Golden Valley County – 1
Grand Forks County – 10
Hettinger County – 1
McHenry County – 2
Mercer County – 2
Morton County – 3
Mountrail County – 1
Nelson County – 3
Pembina County – 1
Ramsey County – 2
Richland County – 2
Rolette County – 6
Sargent County – 1
Sheridan County – 1
Stark County – 10
Steele County – 2
Stutsman County – 6
Towner County – 1
TraillCounty – 2
Walsh County – 2
Ward County – 16
Wells County – 1
Williams County – 9

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

**Individuals (PCR or antigen) 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 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.

Molly Howell, NDDoH Immunization Program Manager, gave an update on vaccine distribution, 79.2 percent of the vaccine received has been administered, with more Modera, and Pfizer vaccine doses are coming to North Dakota, with allocations from the U.S. government.

Pfizer doses with be a six dose vile, from a five dose vile.

Earlier this week, the NDDoH Vaccine Dashboard listed more COVID-19 vaccines administered than the state received. This wasn’t a mistake: vaccination sites were using the “angel doses” in vaccine vials to make sure as many people as possible received the vaccine!

She repeated that, theVaccine Locator is on the NDDoH website. The vaccine locator shows where COVID-19 vaccine is available in your area, who they are currently vaccinating, how to contact them, and more. The vaccine locator can be found at www.health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelocator. In addition, individuals 65 and older who don’t have access to the internet can reach out to the Public Health Hotline at 866-207-2880 to get resources and request assistance in finding a COVID-19 vaccine. As vaccinations continue to be administered across North Dakota, many areas are beginning to vaccinate 65 and older. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is encouraging North Dakotans to help family, friends and neighbors who are 65 and older connect with a COVID-19 vaccine. Whether it’s getting on a waiting list or scheduling an appointment, you can help someone in need of COVID-19 vaccine receive it as quickly as possible.

Thrifty White Pharmacy is receiving federal doses of COVID-19 vaccine beginning this week. Visit the Thrifty White Pharmacy website to see if there’s a Thrifty White Pharmacy near you with vaccine available and clinic slots open.

She said, “It’s possible that you may not be able to receive your vaccine from your usual provider. North Dakotans should check the vaccine locator for doses available in their area and follow the instructions provided by the provider.”

North Dakotans should also continue to watch their local media and social media channels for health care facilities, pharmacies and local public health departments for more information on the status of vaccine administration in their area.

For more information, visit the NDDoH COVID-19 vaccine webpage at health.nd.gov/covidvaccine.

She added that the Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine is still under consideration for distribution, by the Food & Drug Administration, possibly for distribution in March this year, that only requires one dose to be effective.

She said the CDC has announced that those who have been exposed to COVID-19 no longer have to be quarantined, if they have had two doses of the vaccine, and the last dose has been within two weeks prior to exposure.

Dr. Christie Massen, NDDoH Chief Laboratory Officer, said, coronavirus variances may be in the state but not yet identified. Those include variances from South Africa, and Brazil. She said, a random sample of North Dakota positives is being sent to the CDC for review.

She said to continue to stay safe under protocols, including continuing to wear masks, social distance along with frequent hand washing with soap and water, and sanitizing.

Burgum pointed out the Antibody testing remains available, along with other therapeutics.

Burgum added that the North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced that the Hospitality Economic Resiliency Grant (HERG) application window is now open and restaurants that have not previously applied for the grant are highly encouraged to apply through Feb. 25.

North Dakota has 3,400 restaurant and bar licenses throughout the state.

Commerce has $30 million HERG dollars available to assist remaining eligible businesses that lost revenue due to COVID-19.

Due to the continuing need of assistance, Commerce created the HERG to 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.

Eligible entities also include theaters, drama, music and entertainment venues and professional production companies that support major venues, meetings and events.

NDResponse.gov as more information.

In other state updates, In an effort to improve rural health care in North Dakota, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) a $4.3 million grant designed to equip law enforcement officers statewide with the next generation “connected” Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The Helmsley North Dakota Law Enforcement AED Project will supply approximately 1,700 devices to local, state, tribal, and federal North Dakota Law Enforcement agencies.

One of Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program initiatives is to fund projects that connect rural populations to the latest medical therapies in remote areas. The AEDs selected for distribution throughout the state utilize the latest breakthroughs in defibrillation technology.

The NDDoH Division of Emergency Medical Systems is overseeing the project. The new devices will be placed, and training conducted, during the first quarter of 2021. AEDs previously used by some agencies may be relocated throughout communities increasing the number of AEDs accessible to the public.

For more information, contact the Division of Emergency Medical Systems, NDDoH, at 701-328-2388.

Jamestown, ND (Central Valley Health Facebook) This week’s Rapid (antigen) COVID testing schedule in Jamestown:

11am – noon Thurs Feb 11 at Civic Center

Rapid (antigen) testing will be conducted on all participants upon entry. For those who test negative on the rapid test, a confirmatory PCR test will be available if you choose to do so. Pre-registration is required prior to entry at https://testreg.nd.gov if you have not registered in the past.

Bismarck (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol has released the identity of a 45 year-old Moorhead, MN woman who died from injuries in crash on Highway 46 west of Kindred on January 12.

Kandyce Blumhagen died February 5.

The operator of the other vehicle in the crash, 69 year-old Alan Peterson of Foreman received non-life threatening injuries.

Jamestown (CSi) Giving Hearts Day is all day Thursday February 11, 2021.

16 organizations will participate in Jamestown.

Click to see the list of participants.

Jamestown (CSi) The VA is offering a Virtual New Veteran Orientation Feb 11 from 2-3:30pm.

Stutsman County Veteran’s Service Office, David Bratton said the Fargo VA Medical Center is COVID-19 vaccine by appointment, (now Through February-15) to all Veterans 65+ call: (701)239-3700 for an appointment.

-The VA is providing testing and COVID-19 vaccines to those utilizing Caregiver Support Program.

David said the VA is extending the moratorium on debts owed until March 31, 2021.

The VA is now sending out 1095b’s for taxes.

A reminder that the Burleigh County van still not running to the Fargo VA, with-no timeline on when it will restart the Fargo trips.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A bipartisan bill in the North Dakota Legislature aims to recognize Juneteenth as a ceremonial holiday in the state. Juneteenth is a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. North Dakota is only one of three states in the nation that does not legally recognize the June 19 holiday. The legislation is sponsored by two longtime senators, Fargo Democrat Tim Mathern and Grand Forks Republican Ramon Holmberg. The pair backed successful legislation 30 years ago to recognize the third Monday in January as a state holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lawmakers in North Dakota are considering a proposal to make mental health and wellness studies mandatory for middle and high school students. Health officials say North Dakota’s rate of teen suicide is well above the national average. While some schools have elements of mental wellness in the classroom, a proposed bill would have mandated resources to help them and schools would be given standards on how to handle students who need help. The bill also allows for school districts to collaborate in the classroom and with distance learning so that rural schools can get help to their students.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of a Red River diversion project say a decision by a Minnesota agency to reject an appeal of a permit it issued in 2018 should remove one of the last hurdles to building the channel. The Metro Flood Diversion Authority says the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announcement opens the door to discussions with affected landowners in Minnesota. The DNR permit requires the diversion authority to obtain property rights for all land impacted by the project up to the probable maximum flood event. Construction has already begun on two inlet structures southwest of Fargo. Backers are hopeful that the channel will be operational by 2028.

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — A North Dakota man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting to strangle a woman he was dating while aboard a Texas-based cruise ship. Prosecutors say 45-year-old Hector Blanco, of Watford City, was sentenced Tuesday. The attack happened in 2018 on Miami-based Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. Blanco admitted in his plea that he attempted to strangle the woman in their cruise ship cabin, but she was able to escape. Prosecutors say the attack happened about 45 miles from Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge agreed to push back a hearing about whether the Dakota Access oil pipeline should be allowed to continue operating without a key permit while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts an environmental review on the project. The Corps filed a motion Monday to postpone the Wednesday hearing in order to allow Biden administration officials more time to familiarize themselves with the case. The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation filed a lawsuit in 2016 in an attempt to stop construction of the pipeline, which began operating in 2017. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reset the hearing for April 9. Neither the tribes nor Texas-based Energy Transfer, which owns the pipeline, objected to the delay.

In sports…

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NAIA) – Indiana Wesleyan remained at No. 1 as undefeated LSU Shreveport (La.) continued its win streak in the fourth edition of the Top 25. William Penn (Iowa), Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) and Arizona Christian again rounded-out the top five. Shawnee State (Ohio) and Faulkner (Ala.) also remained at No. 6 and No. 7 respectively while Stillman (Ala.) made the biggest jump of the week from No. 23 to No. 15. Jamestown (N.D.), Oklahoma Wesleyan, Warner (Fla.), William Jessup (Calif.) and Benedictine (Kan.) are the five new faces to the poll this week.

2020-21 NAIA Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll No. 4 (February 10, 2021)

RANK	LAST WEEK	SCHOOL [1st Place Votes]	RECORD	FINAL POINTS
1	1	Indiana Wesleyan 15	26-1	586
2	2	LSU Shreveport (La.) 5	12-0	575
3	3	William Penn (Iowa) 1	17-1	555
4	4	Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)	12-1	520
5	5	Arizona Christian	18-2	511
6	6	Shawnee State (Ohio)	21-2	510
7	7	Faulkner (Ala.)	17-2	456
8	9	Morningside (Iowa)	20-3	436
9	15	SAGU (Texas)	7-1	423
10	10	Providence (Mont.)	10-1	419
11	14	Talladega (Ala.)	20-2	408
12	8	Science & Arts (Okla.)	11-2	383
13	18	Marian (Ind.)	14-4	341
14	17	Georgetown (Ky.)	14-4	336
15	23	Stillman (Ala.)	10-1	317
16	12	Loyola (La.)	11-3	262
17	11	Bethel (Ind.)	19-6	244
18	22	Bethel (Kan.)	15-4	243
19	21	LSU Alexandria (La.)	15-2	242
20	19	Texas A&M Texarkana	9-1	221
21	RV	Jamestown (N.D.)	18-5	167
22	RV	Oklahoma Wesleyan	16-5	142
23	RV	Warner (Fla.)	15-3	141
24	NR	William Jessup (Calif.)	7-2	132
25	RV	Benedictine (Kan.)	15-5	129

NDAPSSA CLASS A BASKETBALL POLLS

Feb. 10

BOYS

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

Team Rec. Pts. LW

1. W.F. Sheyenne (17) 16-1 97 1

2. Minot (3) 15-1 82 3

3. West Fargo 13-2 53 2

4. Fargo Davies 11-4 31 NR

5. Jamestown 12-3 15 4

Others receiving votes: Bismarck Legacy (13-4), Bismarck (12-4).

GIRLS

Team Rec. Pts LW

1. Bis. Century (18) 14-0 97 1

2. Devils Lake (2) 12-0 82 2

3. Fargo Davies 14-1 60 3

4. G.F. Red River 13-3 37 4

5. Bis. Legacy 14-3 21 NR

Others receiving votes: Watford City 12-4.

UJ Wenesday Sports

Wednesday…

Softball…

Game One…

Jamestown 9 Bemidji State 1

Game Two

Jamestown 3 University of Minnesota Crookston 0

Recaps

ST. PAUL, Minn. (UJ) — Kat Miska (JR/Pequot Lakes, Minn.) set a new single-game mark for strikeouts as the University of Jamestown softball team opened its season Wendesday with a pair of wins.

The Jimmies defeated Bemidji State University 9-6 then blanked Minnesota-Crookston 3-0 behind Miska’s one-hitter.

UJ will be in Aberdeen, S.D., on Friday and Saturday for a pair of games each day at the Fairfield Inn and Suites PC Dome Classic.

Jamestown 9, Bemidji State 6
A four-run sixth inning ended up being the difference for the Jimmies in a 9-6 win Wednesday.

UJ took a 5-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first and three more on Morgan Geiszler (JR/Horace, N.D.)’s first home run of the year. The Beavers chipped away with three of their own in the third and two more in the fourth to tie the game at five.

Steph Cota (SO/Tucson, Ariz.)’s bases-clearing double and a run-scoring double by Jenna Remenar (FR/Vancouver, Wash.) accounted for the offense in the fourth. Jamestown also took advantage of two Bemidji State errors in the inning to take a four-run lead.

Bemidji State scored once in the sixth to cut the deficit to three, but would get no closer.

Katie Merchant (SO/South Haven, Minn.) (1-0) worked the first four innings for the Jimmies, striking out five and walking five. Lucy Sinkkonen (FR/Cloquet, Minn.) pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.

Remenar was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate while Cota and Mariah Wick (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) each had a pair of hits. Sydney Prussia (JR/Detroit Lakes, Minn.) doubled and Merchant also had an RBI single. Santina Zito (SO/Boise, Idaho) drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.

Jamestown 3, Minnesota-Crookston 0
A first-inning single was the only blemish on Kat Miska‘s pitching line in Wednesday’s second game. Miska retired the final 19 batters in order, finishing with a new Jimmie record of 15 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over Minnesota-Crookston.

Santina Zito hit a two-run home run and Jenna Remenar singled home another run as part of a three-run fourth inning, providing all the offense Miska (1-0) would need.

Mariah Wick doubled and Katie Reisdorfer (JR/Fresno, Calif.), Katie Merchant, and Sydney Prussia also had hits for Jamestown.

UJ Basketball…

Women…

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (UJ) –– Northwestern College used a 10-2 run to close out the third quarter on the way to an 83-67 win over the University of Jamestown women’s basketball team Wednesday night.

Jamestown falls to 14-10 overall and 11-10 in the conference, while Northwestern wins its 10th straight game to improve to 15-8 overall and 15-5 in the GPAC.

After trailing by nine at the end of the first quarter, the Jimmies outscored the Raiders 18-11 in the second to trail by only two, 36-34, at the half.

Northwestern went ahead by six following Devyn Kemble’s three-pointer at 7:15 of the third. Jamestown countered with a three by Macy Savela (SO/Mountain Iron, MN) to cut the lead in half. Kia Tower (SO/Bigfork, MN) made one of two free throws, and Correy Hickman (SR/Morris, MN)’s bucket at the 4:40 mark tied the game at 47.

Emilee Danner converted a three-point play, starting a 10-0 run that gave the home team a double-digit lead. Noelle Josephson (JR/Ramsey, MN)’s layup just before the buzzer ended the run and made it an eight-point lead heading to the final period.

Jamestown trailed by 11 early in the third but were only able to get within seven after a Josephson three-point play. A 9-0 Raider run made it a 16-point game with 4:18 remaining.

Josephson scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. She also recorded four steals and four assists. Savela was also in double figures with 17 points, including five three-pointers.

Molly Schany led Northwestern with 21 points, followed by Kemble with 18 and Sammy Blum with 15.

The Jimmies close out the regular season on February 20 at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)

Men…

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (UJ) — A 26-5 second-half run by the Northwestern College Red Raiders proved to be the difference as the 21st-ranked University of Jamestown men’s basketball team lost 88-79 Wednesday night.

The loss snapped UJ’s six-game winning streak as their record fell to 18-6 overall and 14-5 in the GPAC. Northwestern won its ninth straight and improves to 19-5 overall and 14-5 in the conference.

Jamestown led 43-40 at the half and went ahead 58-50 after Brock Schrom (SR/Grand Rapids, MN) scored at the 14:17 mark of the second. On the Raiders’ next possession, Trent Hilbrands converted a four-point play, cutting the lead in half and igniting the home team’s comeback.

After Isaac Heyer sank a free throw to finish off a three-point play, NWC had scored 11 straight and went ahead by three with 10:15 to play.

Mason Walters (SO/Jamestown, ND) scored to end the run, but Heyer drained a three on the next trip down the floor to make it a four-point game again.

Schrom’s three-point play brought the Jimmies within a point with 9:54 remaining. Hilbrands made a jump shot to kick off a 12-0 run, and UJ was behind an unlucky 13 points with just under five minutes in the game.

The Raiders shot 60 percent in the second half compared to the Jimmies’ 45 percent. NWC was 10-for-11 at the foul line while UJ was just 1-of-3.

Marc Kjos (SO/Lake City, MN) led the way for Jamestown with 20 points, making six three-pointers. He also dished out seven assists. Will Cordes (FR/Shakopee, MN) added 17 while Walters (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Schrom (13 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles.

Alex Van Kalsbeek led all players with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Hilbrands and Heyer both finished with 23.

The Jimmies finish the regular season at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on February 20.

NBA

UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers’ first two-game losing streak of the season is over.

Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard had a season-high 36 points and Lou Williams added 27 off the bench in a 115-107 decision over the Timberwolves.

Leonard and Williams both hit shots down the stretch, including a late 3-pointer by Leonard.

Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points and 10 rebounds in his return to action after missing 13 games due to COVID-19 protocols.

Checking out Wednesday’s other NBA action:

— Luka Doncic (DAHN’-chihch) recorded a triple-double of 28 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks in a 118-117 win over the Hawks. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 13 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter for Dallas, which trailed by 13 in the second half before winning for the fourth time in five games since a six-game slide.

— Devin Booker scored 30 points and Chris Paul added 28 in the Suns’ fourth win in a row, 125-124 over Milwaukee. The Bucks had a 12-point halftime advantage, but the Suns quickly cut it to 79-75 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Mikal (mih-KAYL’) Bridges and Paul. The Bucks ended a five-game winning streak snapped despite getting a season-high 47 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-tah-KOON’-poh).

— LeBron James hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and broke up the Thunder’s final possession in overtime to lead the Lakers to their sixth consecutive victory, 114-113. James had 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who survived their third consecutive overtime game.

— Denver’s three-game losing streak is over after Paul Millsap scored a season-high 22 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 19 in a 133-95 thrashing of the Cavaliers. The Nuggets opened a 23-point lead in the first half and saw it balloon to 34 in the third before establishing a season high for scoring.

— The Nets ended a three-game skid as Kyrie Irving had 35 points and eight assists in a 104-94 victory against the Pacers. Brooklyn led by as many as 36 points and held Indiana under 40 points until midway through the third quarter.

— Norman Powell scored 28 points and Pascal Siakam (see-A’-kam) added 26 while the Raptors were firing long-range shots in a 137-115 thumping of the Wizards. Seven Raptors hit at least one of the team’s 19 3-pointers, with Kyle Lowry shooting 5-for-9 while scoring 21 points.

— Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN’) scored a season-high 46 points and supplied nine of the Bulls’ franchise-record 25 3-pointers in a 129-116 downing of the Pelicans. Coby White made eight 3s and scored 30 points in helping Chicago shoot 25-for-47 from beyond the arc.

— Kyle Anderson nailed a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 27 points in the Grizzlies’ 130-114 trouncing of the Hornets. Dillon Brooks finished with 20 points while Desmond Bane and Grayson Allen scored 18 each to help Memphis end a four-game losing streak.

NBA-NATIONAL ANTHEM

Mavs owner relents on anthem after NBA reiterates policy

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has relented and the national anthem will be played before home games this season after the NBA reiterated its “longstanding league policy” to include the song.

The league’s initial reaction to Cuban’s decision was to say teams were free to conduct pregame activities as they wished with the unusual circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic. Most teams don’t have fans at home games.

But the NBA abruptly reversed course with Cuban’s decision reverberating around the country, including a question put to White House press secretary Jen Psaki during her daily briefing.

The Mavericks said they would play the anthem starting Wednesday against Atlanta.

TOP 25 MEN’S BASKETBALL

— Jonathan Davis scored 10 points and made a couple big baskets to help No. 21 Wisconsin pull away in the second half of a 61-48 stifling of Nebraska. D’Mitrik (dah-MEE’-trihk) Trice, Aleem (ah-LEEM’) Ford and Brad Davison each scored nine points for the Badgers, who won despite shooting 32%.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa needed a strong performance on Wednesday after dropping four of five to fall out of the top 10. The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes got one against No. 25 Rutgers as Joe Wieskamp (WEES’-kamp) scored 26 points for the Hawkeyes in a 79-66 victory.

Wieskamp had 16 points in the first half and finished with 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

National scoring leader Luka Garza missed his first five shots before finishing with 22 points and 10 boards for his ninth double-double of the season.

In other top-25 men’s basketball action:

— Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was the star in fifth-ranked Villanova’s 96-64 pounding of Marquette. Robinson-Earl poured in a season-high 27 points on 10 of 11 shooting. He also shot 5-for-5 from 3-point range and grabbed eight rebounds for the 13-2 Wildcats.

— Quentin Grimes provided 29 points as eighth-ranked Houston beat South Florida 82-65, spoiling the Bulls’ first game in 32 days because of coronavirus interruptions. The Cougars outscored USF 29-8 in the first 9:18 of the half to take a 72-44 lead.

— Trey Murphy III scored 18 points and ninth-ranked Virginia closed on a 16-5 run to beat Georgia Tech, 57-49. Kihei (KEE’-hay) Clark added 14 points and helped the Cavaliers overcome a 44-41 deficit in the final 6 1/2 minutes.

— Mississippi pulled off the stunner of the night as Jarkel Joiner scored 21 points in an 80-59 romp over No. 10 Missouri. Ole Miss used a 17-2 run spanning the two halves to build an insurmountable 51-37 lead.

— Jaden Springer poured in a career-high 30 points to lead No. 16 Tennessee to a 89-81 victory over Georgia. Santiago Vescovi (vehs-KOH’-vee) added 19 points and Josiah-Jordan James had 18 for the 14-4 Volunteers.

NASCAR-DAYTONA QUALIFYING

Hendrick sweeps front row for Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports has swept the front row for the Daytona 500 with Alex Bowman and William Byron.

Bowman posted a lap at 191.261 mph to earn Hendrick its sixth Daytona 500 pole in seven years. It’s the fourth consecutive year Bowman will start from the front row.

William Byron made it a Hendrick sweep with a lap at 190.219 mph.

Only the front row was set Wednesday night.

NHL..

UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Bruins are looking more and more like frontrunners for a berth in the Stanley Cup Final.

The B’s opened a two-game set at Madison Square Garden by defeating the Rangers, 3-2. Brad Marchand scored 36 seconds into overtime to leave the Bruins 8-0-1 in their last nine games.

Chris Wagner and Ander Bjork (byohrk) also scored and Tuukka (TOO’-kah) Rask made 33 saves to help Boston extend its winning streak to four.

The Bruins lead the East Division and are one of four teams with just one regulation loss.

Wednesday’s other NHL game had the Maple Leafs scoring three times in the third period to beat the Canadiens, 4-2. The game was deadlocked until Justin Holl and Ilya Mikheyev (mih-KY’-ehv) scored 42 seconds apart early in the final period.

Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist, Jake Muzzin (MUH’-zihn) set up three scores and Frederik Andersen stopped 33 shots to help Toronto move to 11-2-1.

TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Barty advances, Kenin loses

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The top-ranked women’s tennis player has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, but the defending champ is out after just two matches.

Top-ranked Ash Barty blew a big lead in the second set and survived a shaky tiebreaker to beat fellow Aussie Daria Gavrilova, 6-1, 7-6.

Barty is trying to become the first Australian to win the women’s title at Melbourne since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

Sofia Kenin’s Australian Open defense has ended with a 6-3, 6-2 loss to Kaia Kanepi. The loss further opens the door for Barty to claim an elusive grand slam title on home soil.

Other second-round winners on the women’s side include former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova (PLIHSH’-koh-vah) and American Shelby Rogers.

MLB-NEWS

— The Twins have finalized their $13 million, one-year contract with designated hitter Nelson Cruz. The 40-year-old led the Twins in home runs in both 2019 and 2020.

Phillies finalize $28M, 2-year deal with Gregorius

UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and shortstop Didi Gregorius (DEE’-dee greh-GOHR’-ee-uhs) have finalized a two-year, $28 million contract.

Gregorius batted .284 with 10 homers, 40 RBIs and an .827 OPS in 60 games in his first season with the Phillies. He hit .274 and averaged 20 homers and 75 RBIs over four seasons with the Yankees between 2015-18.

The Phillies also agreed to minor league contracts with right-hander Brandon Kintzler and outfielder Matt Joyce, inviting both to spring training as non-roster players.

In other MLB news:

— The Yankees have signed side-arming reliever Darren O’Day to a one-year deal that includes a mutual club option for 2022. O’Day was 4-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 innings over 19 games last year with Atlanta, striking out 22 and walking five while allowing eight hits.

— Infielder Jed Lowrie has accepted a minor league contract that could lead to his third stint with the Athletics. Lowrie has played five seasons total for Oakland between 2013-18, spending the 2015 campaign with the Astros. A switch-hitter with a career .261 batting average, Lowrie hasn’t played the field since 2018 and didn’t see any game action last year.

— Free agent right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (fohl-tih-NAY’-vihch) has signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Rangers. Foltynewicz made only one start for Atlanta last season, allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings in a loss at Tampa Bay.

— Former Red Sox outfielder Billy Conigliero has died at 73. Conigliero was Boston’s first-ever draft pick and played the outfield with his brother, Tony, before winning a World Series ring with the 1973 Athletics. His best season was in 1970, when he played 114 games and batted .271 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs.

NFL-NEWS

Texans president resigns after 20 years

UNDATED (AP) — Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes has resigned after more than 20 years, the team’s latest move in an offseason of upheaval. An announcement said Rootes was leaving to pursue interests as a writer, public speaker, consultant and professor at the University of Houston.

Rootes was hired in 2000 as the Texans began preparations for their expansion season in 2002.

Houston finished 4-12 last season.

In other NFL news:

— Washington has re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke (HY’-nih-kee) to a two-year, $8.75 million contract. Heinicke was out of football when Washington signed him to the practice squad in December. The 27-year-old impressed in his NFL playoff debut despite losing to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Buccaneers. Heinicke was 26 of 44 for 306 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception against Tampa Bay.

— A person familiar with the situation says the Denver Broncos are releasing cornerback A.J. Bouye after one tumultuous season. Bouye’s injury-riddled season in Denver was cut short when he received a six-game suspension in December for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

— The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers celebrated their victory with a boat parade amid continued concern over the coronavirus pandemic. At one point, quarterback Tom Brady was captured on video tossing the championship Lombardi Trophy from his boat to his shirtless teammate Rob Gronkowski in another boat. That brought wild cheers from fans and players.

SPORTS-VIRUS OUTBREAK

NY opening arenas to fans at

UNDATED (AP) — Large arenas and stadiums in New York can soon reopen for sports and entertainment at 10% of their normal capacity under a plan announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.

The Nets already have received state approval to play their home games in front of some fans beginning Feb. 23 against the Kings. The Knicks and Rangers said they plan to host about 2,000 fans at every game, starting with Feb. 23 and Feb. 26 games.

In other pandemic news:

— Louisville’s men’s basketball game at Virginia Tech has been postponed from Saturday to March 3 following continued quarantining and contact tracing within the Cardinals’ program.

— The University of Hartford has become the third women’s basketball program in the America East Conference to end its season early, joining Vermont and UMBC.

GOLF-BRITISH OPEN

R&A has ‘cautious optimism’ that British Open will go ahead

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — British Open organizers said Wednesday they have “cautious optimism” that golf’s oldest major will go ahead at Royal St. George’s in July.

The event had been run every year since 1946 before being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the R&A effectively pushing its schedule back one year. That meant the 149th Open would still be held on the links in Sandwich in southeast England this year.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators in both parties were stoic, rapt and unmoving Wednesday, the second day of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, as they watched almost 90 minutes of terror unfold on large screens placed near their desks. If any senators had tried not to look at images of the Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol, or to bury their memories after they fled a violent mob of Trump supporters that day, they were not able to do so any longer. Senators braced themselves on the arms of their chairs, leaned forward over their desks and stayed absolutely silent — impartial jurors but also witnesses to the violence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Raw and visceral video footage of last month’s deadly insurrection at the Capitol is now a key exhibit in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. Lawmakers prosecuting the case aim to prove that Trump bears singular responsibility for the siege. Much of the footage had not been seen before. It included detailed security video of the break-in, distraught members of Congress receiving comfort, and rioters in hand-to-hand combat with police. Thursday brings the second and final full day of House arguments, with the Trump legal team taking the lectern Friday and Saturday for up to 16 hours to lay out their defense.

(AP) Major world stock indexes are mostly higher after President Joe Biden held his first talk with Chinese leader Xi Jinping since taking office. Many Asian markets were closed Thursday for the Lunar New Year and other holidays. Benchmarks rose in Paris and Hong Kong while London’s FTSE 100 was flat. U.S. futures also edged higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit another record high on Wednesday after a U.S. government report reassured investors by showing that inflation remained tame last month. That suggests the U.S. economy can absorb more stimulus without overheating. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.13% after being as high as 1.20% earlier this week. Oil prices were lower.

LONDON (AP) — AstraZeneca is working with the University of Oxford to adapt its COVID-19 vaccine to protect against new strains of the virus as public health officials raise concerns about mutations that may make the virus more resistant to existing vaccines. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker worked with Oxford to develop one of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for widespread use. AstraZeneca said it hopes to cut the time needed to produce large amounts of any new vaccine that may be needed to between six and nine months. The comments came as Astra-Zeneca said fourth-quarter net income rose to $1.01 billion from $313 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Drug sales increased 11% to $7.41 billion, driven by a 24% increase in cancer treatments.

(AP) Joe Biden has held his first call as president with Xi Jinping, pressing the Chinese leader about trade and Beijing’s crackdown on democracy activists in Hong Kong. A White House statement says Biden raised concerns about Beijing’s “coercive and unfair economic practices.” Biden also pressed Xi on China’s actions toward Taiwan and human rights abuses against Uighur and ethnic minorities in the western Xinjiang province. China’s state broadcaster says Xi pushed back against those concerns and warned, “The U.S. should respect China’s core interests.” The two leaders spoke just hours after Biden announced plans for a Pentagon task force to review U.S. national security strategy in China.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry Flynt, who turned his raunchy Hustler magazine into an empire while fighting numerous First Amendment court battles, has died. He was 78. His attorney says Flynt died Wednesday in Los Angeles. Flynt’s career began with Ohio strip clubs but in 1974 he founded Hustler, an unashamedly crude and hard-core skin magazine that offended conservatives and feminists, who said it demeaned women. Flynt fought numerous court battles over obscenity and other charges and depicted himself as a fighter for free speech. He also staged political stunts, such as offering $10 million in 2017 for information to impeach President Donald Trump.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An appellate court has stayed the execution of an Alabama inmate. The 11th U.S. Court of Appeals issued the stay Wednesday night. Willie B. Smith was scheduled to be put to death Thursday by lethal injection. Judges stayed the execution to consider defense claims Alabama failed to give the man, who has an IQ of below 75, required assistance with forms impacting the timing of his execution. Smith was scheduled to be put to death Thursday for the shotgun slaying of Sharma Ruth Johnson three decades ago. The state is appealing the decision.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The smaller, lighter vehicles that women more often drive and the types of crashes they get into may explain why they are much more likely to suffer a serious injury in a collision than men. That’s according to a new study published Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group supported by auto insurers. They analyzed injuries of men and women in police-reported tow-away front and side crashes from 1998 to 2015. Among the findings were that in front crashes, women were three times as likely to experience a broken bone, concussion or other moderate injury. They were twice as likely to suffer a serious one like a collapsed lung or traumatic brain injury.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lucasfilm says Gina Carano is no longer a part of “The Mandalorian” cast after many online called for her firing over a social media post that likened the experience of Jews during the Holocaust to the U.S. political climate. A spokesperson with the production company said in a statement on Wednesday that Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm with “no plans for her to be in the future.” Carano played the recurring character Cara Dune on the “Star Wars” series. She deleted the post but it was widely shared online and spurred the #FireGinaCarano hashtag to trend.