– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec. 23

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Highs 30 to 35. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Temperatures falling into the lower 20s in the afternoon. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy

with a 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Colder. Lows

zero to 5 above. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.CHRISTMAS DAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.

Much colder. Highs around 10. North winds around 10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow

after midnight. Lows around 5 below.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs

15 to 20.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the evening, then

chance of snow after midnight. Lows around 5 below. Chance of

snow 60 percent.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of snow in the morning.

Highs 5 to 10 above.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 10 below.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Highs

zero to 5 above.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 15 below.

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

morning. Highs near zero.

Another round of precipitation is expected late Thursday night into
Friday morning. A dusting of snow and light mixed precipitation is
possible with this system. A third round is anticipated Saturday
into Saturday evening, this round being light snow.

A widespread 1-3 inches is possible by the end of Christmas Day with the higher totals to the southeast and lower (likely below and inch) far north.

Finally, a fourth round is expected Sunday into Monday. This system may last a little longer, and has the potential to bring slightly more snow. Stay tuned for later statements on these events.

Colder each day Monday through Wednesday along with additional chances for snow.

Valley City (CSi) Authorities arr investigating a two vehicle crash about 10-a.m., Thursday, on I-94 near Mile Marker, 295 east of Valley City eastbound .

A witness, account said that a westbound pickup truck lost control, went into the median and onto the eastbound lane before it struck a semi.

No serious injuries reported.

The North Dakota Department of Health dashboard is updated daily by 11 am and includes cases reported through the previous day. The investigations are ongoing and information on the website is likely to change as cases are investigated. The information contained in this dashboard is the most up to date and will be different than previous news releases. This dashboard supersedes information from previous news releases or social media postings.

Check out our other dashboards: The COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, NDUS Dashboard.COVID- 19 stats:

COVID-19 Stats

Wed. Dec. 22, 2021

10:20 -a.m.

Barnes

New Positives: 6

Total Positives: 2184

Active: 39

Recovered: 2098

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 398

Stutsman

New Positives: 7

Total Positives: 5094

Active: 48

Recovered: 4952

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 445

North Dakota Cases, reported on Dec. 22, 2021

ACTIVE CASES: 2,256

DAILY POSITIVITY RATE: 5.1%

TOTAL KNOWN CASES THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC: 170,371

TOTAL RECOVERED THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC: 166,122

ACTIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS 119

DEATHS: 3

TOTAL DEATHS: 1,993

Update …No CCHD Covid 19 testing on Friday December 24 or Friday December 31, with CCHD closed for a holiday break.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans can take at home to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. The Food and Drug Administration announcement comes as the U.S. braces for a wave of new infections from the omicron variant that is threatening already-strained hospitals. Pfizer’s prescription pill is the first U.S. medication that doesn’t require an injection or an IV, a long-awaited milestone in the battle against the virus. But initial supplies will be extremely limited with just enough to treat tens of thousands of people. The drug was authorized for high-risk patients who are most likely to get severe illness.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Wednesday afternoon at City Hall, called by Mayor, Dwaine Heinrich. All members were present. Council Member Schloegel was not present.

The agenda item was , to consider approving the North Dakota State and Political Subdivisions Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Settlement Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign them. The deadline to submit the documentation in January 2, 2022.

At the December 16, 2021 City Council, Finance & Legal Committee meeting, members considered the North Dakota State and Political Subdivisions Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding with a settlement reached with a nationwide agreement with Johnson & Johnson. Assistant City Attorney Abby Gerioux said the total of the settlement nationwide is $3-Billion. Each state established an entity to receive the funds to establish a program to remediate the opiod crisis concerns, and distribute the funds.

The committee recommended approval of entering into the MOU with the ND State and Political Subdivisions, and have the mayor sign the agreement.

The vote was 4-1 with Council Member Buchanan voting opposed. He is unclear what the burden would be on the city, and not rush to have the mayor sign the MOU.

Mayor Heinrich then called for a Special City Council meeting before he would sign the agreement, because the vote was not unanimous.

At Thursday’s, Special Council meeting, Mayor Heinrich said he visited with the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, he said the city is no longer asked to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement document is with drug manufacturer Jansen (J&J). Mayor Heinrich said if the settlement agreement is signed by the city, the settlement dollar amount for the city is unknown at this time, and would be distributed over an 18 month period.

Council Member Buchanan said he also visited with the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, and from that information clarified, has decided to vote in favor of the mayor signing the agreement.

The City Council the voted 3-1 to approve the mayor signing the agreement, with Council Member Schloegel not present.

Mayor Heinrich said he will sign the agreement.

The meeting was show live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Commission has approved the appointment of Jessica Alonge to Auditor/COO

The commission approved effective January 1st, 2022. Commissioner Ramone Gumke was not present.

Previously Commissioners discussed approving Alonge from an interim position to permanent.

The commission looked at an updated job description and salary grade. Alonge would be bumped to Grade 26, step 3.

CASSELTON, N.D. (AP) — Project developers say a deal has been finalized for construction of a soybean processing plant in eastern North Dakota that has been in the works for two years. Louisiana-based CGB Enterprises, Inc. and Minnesota Soybean Processors announced Wednesday they have formed a joint venture, North Dakota Soybean Processors LLC, that will own and operate the plant. It’s slated to be built in Casselton, about 25 miles west of Fargo. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational by 2024 and create up to 60 new jobs. It is expected to crush 42.5 million bushes of soybeans in the first year.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Authorities in Bismarck are investigating a fire that sent two people to the hospital. According to a Bismarck Fire Department news release, firefighters responded to the fire at a twin home on the city’s northwest side around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. They found heavy smoke coming from the front door. All occupants from both sides of the home were already outside. Two occupants were taken to a hospital and treated for injuries. One half of the home sustained significant damage. The release offers no further details. Deputy Fire Chief Brooks Martin didn’t immediately return a message.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo pawnshop worker accused of shooting at a fleeing robber accused in a string of thefts has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Kyle Ramsey was working at the Mister Money pawnshop in June when the store was robbed by Hunter Havisto. Owner Daryn Kapaun has said Ramsey fired at the robber’s car to mark it for police. Cass County prosecutor Birch Burdick says the agreement calls Ramsey to serve 360 days on probation and pay $325 in court fees. If Ramsey completes probation the case will be dismissed and sealed. Investigators say the 21-year-old Havisto, got away with about $2,700 at Mister Money and a total of $4,600 from five Fargo establishments he’s accused of robbing.

Update

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say seven members of an immigrant family from Honduras whose bodies were found inside a Minnesota home last weekend died of apparently accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Relatives of the family discovered the victims Saturday night in a home in south Moorhead when they went to check on them after not hearing from them. Neighbors said the children were last seen Friday. Police Chief Shannon Monroe said Wednesday that the carbon monoxide came from either the home’s furnace or a van in the garage.

Valley News Live has reported that Moorehead Police is listing two possible culprits of where the carbon monoxide came from.

MPD says that the carbon monoxide could have come from the furnace located inside the garage, as well as a vehicle in the garage. Experts are still working to determine which of the two are responsible for the family’s death, which MPD says could take up to eight weeks. Officials say they worked with the state fire marshal and an HVAC professional, but couldn’t get the furnace to recreate a malfunction where carbon monoxide would enter the home. The vehicle was found with a dead battery and half a tank of gas, police said. Officials say there wasn’t any indication that the van was being worked on.

Officials say detectives found a carbon monoxide detector inside the home that was detached from the wall with the battery removed.

Family members have described their loved ones as happy people who were relieved to get away from turmoil in Honduras.

A GoFundMe page has been Set up to return their bodies to Honduras. Other donations have been coming in from th Fargo-Moorehead area.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury at suburban Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter’s manslaughter trial for the killing of Black motorist Daunte Wright completed its third day, Wednesday, of deliberations without reaching a verdict. The jury weighing the white former Brooklyn Center officer’s fate broke at around 6 p.m. Wednesday. Unlike the first two days, jurors had no questions for Judge Regina Chu. On Tuesday, they asked Chu what they should do if they couldn’t agree on verdicts. She told them they should continue deliberating. Potter is charged with two counts of manslaughter in the killing of Wright during an April 11 traffic stop. She has said she meant to use her Taser on Wright but used her gun instead.

In sports..

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Grant Nelson had a career-high 24 points as North Dakota State defeated North Dakota 86-76 in the Summit League opener for both teams. Paul Bruns led the Fighting Hawks on Wednesday night with a season-high 27 points.

NBA..

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers’ six-game winning streak is over.

Jaylen Brown poured in 34 points and Robert Williams III had a double-double as the Celtics beat the Cavaliers, 111-101. Williams delivered a career-high 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Celtics cool off Cleveland.

Jayson Tatum added 18 points for Boston, which led by as many as 23.

The Cavaliers were missing starters Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, each of whom is in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 28 points, Kevin Love had 18 and Cedi Osman 13.

Checking out Wednesday’s NBA schedule:

— Jrue Holiday scored 24 points, Khris Middleton added 23 in his return from injury and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Houston Rockets 126-106 on Wednesday night to snap a two-game skid. Middleton missed three games because of a hyperextended left knee. The two-time All-Star played 28 minutes and had six assists. The Bucks were missing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for a fourth straight game as he remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols along with teammates Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo.

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his second career triple-double as the Thunder dumped the Nuggets, 108-94. Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 27 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in the first triple-double by a Thunder player at home since Russell Westbrook more than 2 ½ years ago. Darius Bazley had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Lu Dort had 15 points in the Thunder’s largest margin of victory.

— Eric Bledsoe scored 19 points, Paul George had 17 in his return to the Clippers lineup, and Los Angeles held off the Sacramento Kings 105-89. Serge Ibaka added a season-high 17 points – 12 in the fourth quarter including three dunks to help the Clippers end a three-game losing streak. Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points and a career-high 13 assists for his fourth consecutive double-doubles for Sacramento.

— The Magic dealt the Hawks their seventh consecutive home loss, 104-98. Franz Wagner furnished 25 points for Orlando, and Robin Lopez chipped in 10 points and a career-high 11 assists. Cam Reddish finished with a season-high 36 points and John Collins had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Collins was the only Atlanta regular to play after Kevin Huerter was pulled after a positive COVID test.

NBA-NEWS

More COVID woes: NBA postpones two games Toronto-Chicago and Nets-Blazers

UNDATED (AP) — Dallas star Luka Doncic has entered the league’s health and safety protocols. That news came on the same day the NBA postponed Toronto’s game scheduled for Wednesday at Chicago and Brooklyn’s game scheduled for Thursday at Portland.

It is the third consecutive Nets game to be pushed back. And it means that Brooklyn’s next possible game would be Saturday. That’s part of the NBA’s five-game Christmas slate, with the Nets scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Lakers. But with Kevin Durant, James Harden and others in the health and safety protocols, that game may also be in jeopardy.

The league is allowing teams to sign replacements to hardship contracts when a player tests positive for the virus, with hopes such moves can minimize the need for postponements.

Toronto’s Fred VanVleet is one of seven players in protocols for the Raptors, but the team — anticipating some roster reinforcements — flew to Chicago on Tuesday in anticipation of a the game there against the Bulls tonight.

Also in the NBA:

— Knicks guard Derrick Rose had surgery Wednesday on his right ankle and could miss two months. Already short-handed with six players in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the Knicks have now lost the former league MVP whose arrival jump-started their run to the playoffs last season. Rose had missed the last two games with what the team said was ankle soreness.

— The Boston Celtics signed 40-year-old Joe Johnson to a 10-day contract Wednesday. Johnson started his NBA career with Boston when he was drafted 10th overall in 2001. The seven-time All-Star played 1,276 regular-season games through the 2017-18 season, averaging 16.0 points with the Celtics, Phoenix, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Miami, Utah and Houston.

NFL-NEWS-PLAYOFFS

Record 27 teams remain in playoff hunt with 3 weeks to go

UNDATED (AP) — While no team has clinched a postseason spot in the jam-packed AFC, there never have been more teams alive in the playoff hunt this late in a season.

Only Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston and the New York Jets have been eliminated so far, with 27 teams still with at least a sliver of a postseason chance, tied for the most ever with three weeks left in the season.

The only team that has clinched a spot is the Green Bay Packers, who have won the NFC North after beating Baltimore on Sunday.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

— Browns second-year coach Kevin Stefanski cleared COVID-19 protocols Wednesday and returned to the team after missing Monday’s home loss to Las Vegas, a 16-14 setback that damaged Cleveland’s playoff hopes. Jets coach Robert Saleh tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling symptoms in the morning in the latest in what has been a surge of coronavirus cases on the team. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni also tested positive.

— Drew Lock is preparing for his first — and maybe final — start of 2021 for the Denver Broncos. Coach Vic Fangio ruled out starter Teddy Bridgewater, who has a concussion, for their game Sunday against the Raiders but said it’s possible he’ll return next week against the Chargers if he’s medically cleared: “Whatever’s best for his health moving forward is what we’ll do.”

— Pittsburgh has placed linebackers Devin Bush and Marcus Allen and offensive tackle Zach Banner on the COVID-19 list.

— With a surge of COVID-19 cases threatening to disrupt the NFL season, the league discussed canceling three games last week for the first time since the pandemic began. Two player reps said canceling was never a No. 1 plan. Instead, the games were moved from the weekend to Monday and Tuesday.

— Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Cam Newton will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have a big role in the game. And Sam Darnold also is set to get playing time at quarterback. Darnold is 4-5 as the team’s starter this season, while Newton is 0-4. Darnold hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder and going on injured reserve Nov. 12. He was cleared medically to practice Wednesday with the Panthers. Kicker Zane Gonzalez is on injured reserve. Lirim Hajrullahu was signed off Washington’s practice squad to replace him.

— The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have addressed the need for experienced depth at running back by signing former All-Pro Le’Veon Bell. With starter Leonard Fournette out after suffering a hamstring injury, there’s an opportunity for Ronald Jones to move back into a role he lost to Fournette late last season. Bell is a three-time 1,000-yard rusher who was attractive to the Bucs because of his experience.

— The Jacksonville Jaguars signed running back Ryquell Armstead off Green Bay’s practice squad. The move reunites the 2019 fifth-round pick with the team that drafted him and later cut him. Armstead fills Carlos Hyde’s spot on the 53-man roster. Jacksonville placed Hyde on injured reserve for a concussion.

— While he wanted to play again this season, Daniel Jones said his sprained neck caused him discomfort in certain positions and made it impossible for him to play quarterback for the New York Giants. Jones says he felt he made progress in his third season but admitted the Giants did not win enough games. He doesn’t think the injury will affect his play next season, other than he may be more willing to get down sooner to avoid hits.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-NEWS

Texas A&M won’t play in Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 issues

UNDATED (AP) — If a team is unavailable to play in College Football Playoff semifinals because of COVID-19 issues, the game will be declared a forfeit and the available team will advance to the championship game. With COVID-19 cases spiking across the country due to the omicron variant, the CFP announced contingency plans for the semifinals and national championship game, scheduled for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.

While there will be no rescheduling of either semifinal, the championship game could be delayed until as late as Jan. 14.

Meanwhile, No. 23 Texas A&M won’t play in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest on Dec. 31 because of COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries.

The team did not provide any details on the COVID-19 issues or injuries on the team.

In other news:

— Nick Patti will be the starting quarterback when 13th-ranked Pittsburgh faces 10th-ranked Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. Patti will make his first start since 2019 after ACC Player of the Year Kenny Pickett opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi says the team has a lot of faith in Patti. A solid performance could give Patti an early head start to be the starter in 2022.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL..

UNDATED (AP) — No. 19 Tennessee jumped to a double-digit lead to start the game and kept No. 6 Arizona at bay handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season, 77-73.

Tennessee hit 7 of its first 11 shots and opened the game with a 16-2 advantage in the first 5 minutes.

John Fulkerson scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds, while Santiago Vescovi had 15 for the 9-2 Vols.

Bennedict Mathurin had 14 of his 28 points in the first half. He was the only Arizona starter to score in the first 20 minutes as Tennessee took a 34-21 lead. Kerr Kriisa scored 11 for Arizona.

— Paolo Banchero had 23 points and second-ranked Duke shot 62% after halftime to beat Virginia Tech 76-65 in the Blue Devils’ Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Banchero scored 17 points in that dominant second half, fueled by the move to a smaller lineup around the versatile 6-foot-10 star freshman. That helped Duke erase an eight-point deficit early in the second half and improve to 11-1.

— Wendell Green Jr. and Jabari Smith both had double-doubles and No. 12 Auburn beat Murray State 71-58 for its eighth straight win. Green had 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds off the bench for the Tigers, while Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. The 11-1 Tigers held Murray State to 28 points below its season average and out-rebounded the Racers 48-33.

— Josh Carlton scored a season-high 20 points, Kyler Edwards added 14 and No. 13 Houston defeated Texas State 80-47. Marcus Sasser had 13 points and Jamal Shead finished with 12 points and 10 assists as Houston moved to 11-2. The Cougars shot 55%, including 13 of 28 on 3-pointers, in winning for the seventh time in eight games.

— Dylan Disu scored 14 points and made three blocks and No. 16 Texas pulled away in the second half to defeat Alabama State 68-48. Marcus Carr scored 13 for Texas, Andrew Jones had 12 and Timmy Allen produced 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gerald Liddell, a former Longhorn who transferred to South Alabama this season, led the Hornets with 16 points.

— Darius Days scored 21 points and No. 17 LSU stayed unbeaten with a 95-60 win over Lipscomb. Xavier Pinson scored a season-high 17 points for the 12-0 Tigers, who never trailed. Eric Gaines had a career-high 13 points, Brandon Murray and Efton Reid also had 13, and Mwani Wilkinson scored a season-high 11.

— Kellan Grady shot 6 of 9 from 3-point range and scored a season-high 23 points as No. 20 Kentucky stretched its home win streak to eight games, romping past Western Kentucky 95-60. TyTy Washington Jr. added 20 points and six assists for the Wildcats. Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEEB’-way) had 14 points and 28 rebounds for Kentucky.

— Kevin Obanor had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists as No. 25 Texas Tech dominated Eastern Washington 78-46. Adonis Arms and Bryson Williams each had 12 points for the 9-2 Red Raiders. Kevin McCullar had 10 points and five assists. The Red Raiders played without starting guard Terrence Shannon, who missed his second game in a row because of back spasms. Rylan Bergersen had 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting for 6-6 Eastern Washington.

COLLEGE SPORTS-ACC CANCELLATIONS

UNDATED (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is changing its rescheduling policy to avoid assigning forfeits for teams unable to play due to COVID-19 protocols.

Games that cannot be played will be rescheduled if possible. If those games can’t be rescheduled, they will be considered a “no contest” that doesn’t affect a team’s record.

The decision comes amid the rise in COVID-19 cases and cancellations or postponements nationally.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is announcing more than $241 million in grants to bolster U.S ports. It’s part of President Joe Biden’s near-term plan to address America’s clogged supply chain with infrastructure improvements to speed the flow of goods. The transportation money is being made available immediately to 25 projects in 19 states. It includes $52.3 million to help boost rail capacity at the port in Long Beach, California, and $20 million for Portsmouth, Virginia, to build out a supply chain for the offshore wind industry. Delcambre, Louisiana will get $2 million for dock restoration and climate resiliency.

(AP) Two new British studies provide some early hints that the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder than delta. Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines. Sheer numbers of infections could still overwhelm hospitals. Still, the new studies released Wednesday seem to bolster earlier research that suggests omicron may not be as harmful as the delta variant.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the West to move quickly to meet Russia’s demand for security guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine and the deployment of the military alliance’s weapons there. Putin accused the West during a marathon news conference on Thursday of trying to make Ukraine “anti-Russia, constantly beefed up with modern weapons and brainwashing the population.” The Russian leader welcomed talks with the U.S. that are set to start in Geneva next month, but warned the discussion focused on Moscow’s demand needs to produce quick results. Last week, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares are higher after stocks advanced on Wall Street, buoyed by encouraging reports about the potential impact of the omicron variant of coronavirus. The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that the U.S. economy grew at a 2.3% rate in the third quarter, slightly better than previously thought. The S&P 500 rose 1%, the Nasdaq rose 1.2% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7%. The Russell 2000, a measure of small-company stocks, rose 0.9%. Major indexes are still on track for a Christmas week gain, with trading thinning as the holidays approach. Many world markets will be closed Friday in observance of Christmas.