Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Mar 30

CSi Weather…

 

Friday morning…

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) along with the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have issued a Travel Alert for northwestern North Dakota due to snow and icy conditions causing hazardous driving conditions. These conditions are expected to continue through the overnight hours. Cities included in the Travel Alert are Williston, Watford City, Crosby, Bowbells, Minot, Bottineau, Towner, and surrounding areas. A Travel Alert means conditions are such that motorists can still travel in these areas, but should be advised of rapidly changing conditions. Motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and drive according to the conditions.
All travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions as weather conditions occur and use caution while traveling. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the Travel Information Map at www.dot.nd.gov.  The NDDOT works hard to keep travelers informed of road conditions. However, the road conditions are not reported 24 hours a day but updated every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, including holidays. It’s important to remember that the conditions may vary from what is being reported.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Due to the weather forecast for today into Saturday morning, the following are changes to the Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop on Saturday, March 31st:

Lynne Talley says, for those who don’t mind the weather and want to be outdoors, both the Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop will take place as planned.  They will start from the Harold Newman Arena parking lot on the UJ campus, at 9 a.m. sharp.

Anyone who would rather be indoors, they are offering the option of walking in the gym at the Larson Center (the former YMCA).  This will be walking only and will not be timed.  The inflatables and games for the kids will be set up in the center of the gym.  This will allow everyone to participate in one way or another, despite the unpredictable North Dakota weather.

So bundle up for the outdoors if you want, or just come and join the fun at the Larson Center.

Registration is still available at www.SafeShelterJamestown.org or by texting MPRUN to 41444.

Mary’s Place will provide short term housing for victims of domestic violence and their children until they can obtain safe and affordable housing of their own. Mary’s Place is expected to open in June this year.  The facility will contain three apartments, of various sizes to accommodate individuals or families.

Registration cost – $25 for adults and includes a t-shirt

$5 for kids under 12, does not include a t-shirt.

To Register – go to www.SafeshelterJamestown.org and click on the Easter egg, or text MPRUN to 41444.  You can also call our office – 251-2300 – between 9 and 5 Monday through Friday and we’ll get a registration form to you.

Sponsors for the Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop:

Bank Forward

Edgewood Senior Living

Jamestown Inflatables

Kari and Leo Ness

KQDJ Q101 FM

KQDJ Big Dog 95.5

KSJB Mix 93.3

Lifetime Vision Source

Newman Signs

Sanford Health

Scherbenske, Inc.

The Jamestown Sun

The University of Jamestown

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Valley City officials remind residents that  public works and the City  Hall office will close on Good Friday at noon.

The Transfer Station  closes Friday at 11:30-a.m. and  closed all day Saturday, March 31st.

Garbage collection on Friday will be picked up Friday  before noon.

In Jamestown the baler is closed today, and plans to be open on Saturday from 8:30-a.m., to 11:30-a.m.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Barnes County Commissioners have announced that April 2-6 is County Government Week  County employees have set a number of activities with Tuesday, April 3,  the main focus for most public events.

Many of the offices will set up displays throughout the courthouse during the week-long observance. Visitors will find information ranging from weed control and gardening to property taxes and assessments, Medicaid, SNAP vouchers (food stamps), voting requirements, marriage licenses, passports, and veteran services.

City-County Health District (CCHD) will be observing National Public Health Week, offering  free blood pressure testing at their office (415 2nd Ave. NE) throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants should be prepared to sit for about five minutes prior to being tested.

Through the Substance Use Prevention program, a “take back” event is planned April 2-7, where residents are encouraged to bring in their expired or unused prescription drugs (excluding liquids and syringes/needles) to any Valley City pharmacy, the Valley City Police Department or the Sheriff’s Department. Expired over-the-counter medications can also be dropped off.

Barnes County North will also host a Take Back site for those in the county who cannot get to Valley City to drop off their prescriptions. The event at BCN will be held April 6, 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. A sheriff deputy will be present.

Tuesday activities begin  with free walking tacos served by county employees and commissioners from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the rotunda, with free ice cream floats offered from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on second floor.

The public is also invited to register for two $25 drawings for Chamber Bucks on Tuesday. And City-County Health will conduct a drawing for a free total lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL/LDL, triglycerides and blood sugar) on Friday. Visitors may sign up for the lipid profile at the CCHD office.

Mock Trials, a student activity arranged by Carl Martineck, Barnes County States Attorney, haven’t been finalized at this time. If offered, this would allow selected area students to participate in the judicial process.

In conjunction with County Government Week, Barnes County Social Services is holding a Diaper, Wipe and Pull-Up donation drive at the courthouse. Donations may be dropped off in Room 102 throughout the month of April. Monetary donations are also accepted. For more information contact Dana at 701-845-8521. Donations will be distributed to families in need in Barnes County.

During past observances, Social Services brought the North Dakota Heart Gallery to the courthouse. This is a non-profit organization that was started in 2008 with a mission to reach out to the public and encourage the adoption of ND children waiting for forever homes. However, due to scheduling issues, the gallery will be displayed at the courthouse April 23-27.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Ground has been broken for the first three phases of a long-term flood protection project for the Souris River Valley.

Flooding in 2011 caused an estimated $1 billion in damage in the region and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 people in Minot.

Officials on Wednesday held a ground-breaking ceremony for the flood project’s first three phases. The Minot Daily News reports Mayor Chuck Barney called it the “most exciting day” he’s had in office. The work is scheduled to be done in 2020.

The basin-wide flood protection project could cost about $1 billion by the time it’s complete. Legislation in Congress includes funding for a federal study that’s key to building the fourth stage.

The state has committed $178 million to the project, and could provide another $130 million.

 

BELFIELD, N.D. (AP) — A crash in Stark County involving a sport utility vehicle and a pickup truck has killed a 57-year-old Belfield woman.

The Highway Patrol says the woman lost control of her SUV on a slippery highway north of Belfield and it slid into the wrong lane, colliding with the oncoming pickup about 5:45 a.m. Thursday.

She was killed. The 24-year-old Dickinson man driving the pickup was treated for injuries at a Dickinson hospital and later released.

Authorities didn’t immediately identify the people involved

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Authorities are looking for a Minot man who fled the Ward County Courthouse after a judge revoked his probation.

The Minot Daily News reports that 38-year-old John Rude was ordered immediately detained on March 15 after a judge sentenced him to six months in jail.

Court documents say Rude ran out the front door of the courthouse and deputies were unable to catch him. Authorities have filed an escape charge against him.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota farmers are expected to plant 7.1 million acres of soybeans this year, matching last year’s record.

Meanwhile, they’re expected to plant 11 percent fewer acres of corn, at about 3.1 million.

That mirrors the national trend. The federal Agriculture Department says in its annual prospective plantings report that U.S. farmers will seed more soybeans than corn for the first time in 35 years, due primarily to profitability.

Acres of North Dakota’s staple spring wheat crop are expected to be up 20 percent this year, to 6.4 million. Sugar beet acres are pegged at 199,100, down 7 percent.

Canola and chickpea acres are forecast at record highs. Sunflower acres also are expected to be up.

Other crops with projected declines in acres are durum wheat, barley, dry beans, dry peas, lentils, flaxseed and oats.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Spring calving in North Dakota is one-third complete.The federal Agriculture Department says in its monthly crop report that cattle and calf conditions are rated 80 percent good to excellent. Cattle and calf death loss is mostly average to light.Eighty-eight percent of the state’s winter wheat crop is rated fair, good or excellent.Soil moisture remains a concern, however, with only about half of the subsoil and topsoil moisture supplies rated adequate to surplus. 

RICHARDTON, N.D. (AP) — State Health Department officials are monitoring cleanup of a spill at the Red Trail Energy ethanol plant just east of Richardton.

Officials say about 8,500 gallons of the fuel spilled when a valve on a hose was left partially open. The spill discovered Thursday was contained within the plant.

Health Department officials were at the scene inspecting the site.

 

 

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Two singing stars have been lined up for this year’s Norsk Hostfest celebration in Minot.

Country singer Tanya Tucker will hold a concert Sept. 26, and crooner Engelbert Humperdinck will perform Sept. 27.

Earlier announced acts are Grammy award-winning singer Michael Bolton on Sept. 27 and ventriloquist Darci Lynne on Sept. 29. She’s one of the youngest contestants to win the “America’s Got Talent” show.

The Hostfest is billed as the largest Scandinavian heritage festival in North America. Each year it draws about 60,000 people from around the world for food, music and other entertainment.

The 41st Hostfest is Sept. 26-29 at the State Fairgrounds. Tickets go on sale May 17.

 

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Minot is moving to terminate the city’s lease with a shipping facility operator due to unpaid rent and property taxes.

The Minot Daily News reports the city council voted Tuesday to give North Dakota Port Services a 30-day notice of intent to terminate its lease agreement. Minot is claiming the operator breached its lease by failing to pay $233,000 in rent and unpaid taxes. It has until April 30 to take corrective action.

North Dakota Port Services has leased property from the city since 2009. But the city claims it did received payments in 2016, 2017 or in the first three months of 2018.

A message left for NDPS CEO Greg Johnson Thursday seeking comment was not immediately returned.

 

In sports…

(VCSUVikings.com) VCSU softball team has announced changes to its weekend series with rival University of Jamestown.

The Vikings and Jimmies will play three games Friday inside the Presentation College Dome in Aberdeen, S.D. Game times are set for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. All three will be conference games. VCSU will be the home team.

VCSU was originally scheduled to host a four-game series with the Jimmies this weekend, but cold temps and snow have forced the movement to the Presentation Dome. The fourth game of the series will not be made up.

Friday’s triple-header will be a showdown of the top two teams in the North Star Athletic Association. Jamestown leads the conference with a 7-1 record in the NSAA and a 24-4 overall record. VCSU is second in the conference standings at 6-2 in the NSAA and 23-7 overall.

The Jimmie baseball games on April 2-3 against Concordia and Presentation College have been postponed.

The Blue Jays’ home baseball games against Bismarck St. Mary’s on April 3 have been rescheduled for May 17. The Class A season is now scheduled to start on April 10 for the Jays with road games at Dickinson.

Blue Jay softball’s April 3 games have also been postponed with no make-up date yet scheduled. Jamestown is scheduled to host Dickinson at Trapper Field on April 10.

The Blue Jays soccer team’s first match with Legacy on April 6 has been moved to April 21. Jamestown hosts Minot on April 10 for the season-opener.

 

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — A Mandan ballpark built in the 1950s is to get a $2.5 million makeover this summer.

Parks and Recreation Director Cole Higlin tells The Bismarck Tribune that Veterans Memorial Ballpark has outlived its life expectancy and needs various improvements.

The renovation project will include 500 additional seats and upgrades to the grandstand wings, dugout, canopy and press box. Synthetic turf will be added if funding allows.

Officials so far have raised $1.5 million of the cost. The project is to be bid in April, with construction beginning in July and wrapping up by next spring.

MLB-OPENING DAY SCHEDULE—

The Orioles pulled out a 3-2 win over the Twins on Adam Jones’ homer in the bottom of the 11th. Minnesota lefty Zach Duke notched four strikeouts in the seventh inning, but he also threw two wild pitches and yielded a two-run triple to Caleb Joseph.

— Miami Marlins ace Jose Urena (yoo-RAY’-nuh) threw the first pitch of the 2018 major league season. Ian Happ promptly crushed it over the fence before the Chicago Cubs hit two more homers in an 8-4 win over the Marlins.Happ became the first person to homer on the first pitch of the season since Boston’s Dwight Evans against Jack Morris in Detroit 32 years ago.Anthony Rizzo belted an emotional home run into the upper deck in an unscripted tribute to the victims of last month’s shooting at his former high school in Parkland, Florida.Kyle Schwarber also homered for the Cubs, who overcame two errors and a rough outing by Jon Lester.Checking out the other season-opening finals:— Ty Blach outpitched Clayton Kershaw by allowing three hits over five scoreless innings of the Giants’ 1-0 win over the Dodgers. Kershaw blanked San Francisco until Joe Panik slammed a homer in the fifth inning to help the Giants beat the defending National League champs.— The White Sox doubled up the Royals 14-7 as Matt Davidson became the fourth player in major league history to homer three times on opening day. Tim Anderson also homered twice and Jose Abreu went deep for Chicago.— George Springer hit a leadoff homer in the Astros’ opener for the second straight year and Justin Verlander scattered four singles over six shutout innings of Houston’s 4-1 win at Texas. Jake Marisnick also homered to help the defending World Series champs win with just six hits.— Giancarlo Stanton made an auspicious debut with the Yankees by going 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored in a 6-1 win at Toronto. Stanton. Luis Severino struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings before three relievers completed the two-hitter.— Boston blew a 4-0 lead in its season opener as Tampa Bay put together a six-run eighth to beat the Red Sox, 6-4. Denard Span supplied the big hit, a go-ahead, three-run triple as the Bosox’s bullpen wasted a strong start by Chris Sale, who struck out nine and limited the Rays to one hit in six innings.— Felix Hernandez pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning and Nelson Cruz hit a two-run home run in the first as the Mariners outlasted the Indians, 2-1. Ichiro Suzuki played left field and went 0 for 2 in his first game with Seattle since being traded to the Yankees in 2012.

— The Diamondbacks roughed up the Rockies, 8-2 as Jake Lamb supplied a two-run double and a two-run single. Patrick Corbin struck out eight and allowed seven hits over 5 2/3 innings, including homers by Nolan Arenado (ar-eh-NAH’-doh) and DJ LeMahieu.

 

— Orlando Arcia singled home Ji-Man Choi with two outs in the 12th inning to lift the Brewers past the Padres, 2-1. Milwaukee’s Chase Anderson allowed one hit in six innings in his first opening day start.

— Yoenis Cespedes (yoh-EH’-nehs SEHS’-peh-dehs) drove in three runs and Noah Syndergaard struck out 10 over six innings of the Mets’ 9-4 rout of the Cardinals. Adrian Gonzalez doubled home the go-ahead run and reached base four times with two hits and a pair of walks in his Mets debut, helping New York improve to 37-12 in openers since 1970.

— Nick Markakis (mahr-KAY’-kihs) launched a three-run, walk-off homer with two out in the ninth inning to complete the Braves’ rally from a 5-0 deficit in an 8-5 win over the Phillies. Freddie Freeman smacked a two-run homer and Ozzie Albies added a solo shot after Aaron Nola limited Atlanta to three hits over 5 1/3 innings.

— Marcus Semien’s RBI single gave the Athletics a 6-5, 11-inning win over the Angels. Khris Davis hit a three-run homer in the fifth and a tying single in the seventh to help Oakland come back from 4-0 and 5-4 deficits.

— The Nationals and Reds were postponed in Cincinnati, as were the Pirates and Tigers in Detroit. Both games will be made up on Friday.

 

MLB-SALARIES

MLB average salary drops, AP study finds

UNDATED (AP) — A study by The Associated Press determined the average major league salary on opening day dropped slightly following an offseason of slashed contracts for many free agents and the decisions to start three highly paid players in the minor leagues.

The $4.41 million average Thursday fell 0.9 percent from last year’s starting figure of $4.45 million, according to the AP’s calculations. It was only the second drop since the end of the 1994-95 strike, after a 2.7 decrease in 2004.

However, the number was determined after Philadelphia pitcher Jake Arrieta (ar-ee-EH’-tuh) and Baltimore hurler Alex Cobb were optioned to the minors to get more preparation for the season after signing free-agent contracts recent. If they had remained in the majors, the average would have been down just $1,380.

 

— The Royals have placed All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, right-hander Nate Karns and two others on the disabled list in a series of roster moves ahead of their opener against the White Sox.

— Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been put on the 60-day disabled list because of bone spurs in his right heel. Tulowitzki suffered a season-ending ankle injury last July 28 and has not played since.

— A person familiar with the deal says All-Star closer Greg Holland and the Cardinals have agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract. pending a physical. Holland was a free agent after leading the National League with 41 saves last season for Colorado.

— Former major league outfielder Rusty Staub has died at age 73 following an illness. The six-time All-Star posted a .279 average with 2,716 hits in a 23-year career that included two stops with the Mets and Expos, along with time spent with the Colt 45s and Astros, Tigers and Rangers. He is the only player to collect 500 hits with four different ballclubs.

 

NBA-

 

UNDATED (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs are back in position to open the NBA’s Western Conference quarterfinals at home.

LaMarcus Aldridge had a double-double and the Spurs moved into fourth in the West by beating the fifth-place Thunder, 103-99 at San Antonio. Aldridge scored 21 of his 25 points by halftime and finished with 11 rebounds as the Spurs ended a two-game slide. The All-Star forward also drove past Steven Adams for a dunk and a three-point lead with 52 seconds left.

Paul George had 26 points and six assists for the Thunder, who are in a virtual tie with the Spurs and a half-game ahead of the sixth-place Pelicans.

Checking out Thursday’s other NBA action:

— The Rockets clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with the Warriors’ third straight loss, 116-107 against the Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-the-toh-KOOM’-poh) scored 32 points and Khris Middleton had 23 as Milwaukee stayed five games ahead of Detroit for the last playoff spot in the East. Kevin Durant had 10 points, six assists and three rebounds before he was ejected after receiving two technical fouls.

— Victor Oladipo (oh-lah-DEE’-poh) scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining in the Pacers’ 106-103 verdict over the Kings. Indiana remains percentage points behind fourth-place Philadelphia in the East.

— The Wizards lost for the fourth time in five games as Andre Drummond’s 24 points and 23 rebounds led the Pistons to a 103-92 victory over Washington in Detroit. Anthony Tolliver added 14 points while starting in place of Blake Griffin, who was a late scratch with an ankle contusion.

— Washington’s lead in the Southeast Division is down to a half-game after Josh Richardson scored 22 points and Goran Dragic added 17 to lead the second-place Heat to a 103-92 victory over the Bulls. Justise Winslow scored 13 points and Kelly Olynyk finished with 11 for Miami, which has won eight straight home games to get within one victory or a Detroit loss of clinching a playoff berth.

 

NBA-NEWS

 

UNDATED (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers don’t know how long they’ll be without Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’).

The All-Star center has a concussion and needs surgery on an orbital fracture of his left eye. Teammate Markelle Fultz was driving toward the basket Wednesday against the Knicks when he appeared to accidentally head-butt Embiid.

The former Kansas star leads the Sixers with 22.9 points and 11 rebounds in 63 games, helping the team clinch its first playoff berth since 2012.

In other NBA news:

— The Lakers say guard Isaiah Thomas will need four months to recover from Thursday’s arthroscopic surgery on his right hip. The two-time All-Star guard averaged 15.6 points and 5.0 assists in 17 games with Los Angeles, which acquired him from Cleveland in February. Thomas will be a free agent by the time he recovers from the procedure, but he has expressed interest in staying with the Lakers.

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NIT

NEW YORK (AP) — Penn State has earned its second NIT championship since 2009.

Lamar Stevens scored 28 points and Josh Reaves had 18 in leading the Nittany Lions to an 82-66 win over Utah at Madison Square Garden. Tony Carr had 15 points and 14 assists to help Penn State finish 28-13.

Sedrick Barefield hit six 3s and scored 22 points for the Utes, who end up 23-12.

— Villanova guard Jalen Brunson is The Associated Press men’s college basketball player of the year, finishing ahead of Oklahoma freshman Trae Young. Brunson is averaging 19.2 points and shooting nearly 53 percent entering Saturday’s national semifinal against Kansas. He’s the first Villanova player to win the AP award.

— Virginia’s Tony Bennett is the runaway winner of The Associated Press men’s college basketball coach of the year, receiving 50 of 65 votes. The Cavaliers set a program single-season record for wins, dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference and reached No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since the Ralph Sampson era.

— A’ja Wilson of South Carolina is The Associated Press women’s college basketball player of the year. Wilson helped the Gamecocks to their first title last year and averaged 22.6 points and 11.8 rebounds for the team this season before reaching the Elite Eight.

— Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw is The Associated Press women’s college basketball Coach of the Year for the fourth time. This might be McGraw’s best coaching job. She lost four players over the course of the season to ACL injuries and still managed to go 32-3.

NHL

 

The Boston Bruins control the top spot and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs following a 4-2 win over the second-place Lightning. Patrice Bergeron (pah-TREES’ BEHR’-zhuh-rahn) scored the eventual game-winner midway through the third period and had two assists as the Bruins moved one point ahead of Tampa Bay with one game in hand.

David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand each added a goal and an assist in support of Tuuka (TOO’-kuh) Rask, who turned back 26 shots.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— The Predators have a team-record and league-leading 111 points after Ryan Ellis scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period of a 5-3 victory over the Sharks. Craig Smith and Viktor Arvidsson each had a goal and an assist as the Central Division leaders moved seven points ahead of the Jets and kept San Jose five points behind the Pacific-leading Golden Knights.

— The Jets were 6-2 losers to the Blackhawks as emergency goaltender Scott Foster played the final 14 minutes after being pressed into service. The 36-year-old former goaltender at Western Michigan University stopped seven shots and received chants of “Foster! Foster!” along with other loud ovations.

— Matt Dumba scored on a power play and had two assists while the Wild was netting three goals in the second period of a 5-2 verdict over the Stars. Devan Dubnyk stopped 29 shots for Minnesota, which is five points ahead of St. Louis for third place in the Central Division.

— Sidney Crosby batted his own rebound out of the air and into the net 19 seconds into overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 win at New Jersey, putting the Penguins five points behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals. Crosby ran his goal-scoring streak to five games to help Pittsburgh cut the Devils’ lead for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth to two points over Florida.

— The Blue Jackets’ 5-0 win at Calgary puts Columbus one point ahead of the Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Pierre-Luc Dubois (pee-EHR’ look doo-BWAH’) registered a hat trick and Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BRAHF’-skee) handled 38 shots in his sixth shutout of the season. The Jackets have won 12 of 13.

— Jeff Carter completed a hat trick and broke a 2-2 tie with 4:25 remaining to lift the Kings over the Coyotes, 4-2. Backup goaltender Jack Campbell stopped 20 shots and Los Angeles moved two points ahead of Anaheim for third place in the Pacific.

— Jean-Gabriel Pageau (pa-ZHOH’) scored on a penalty shot 4:44 into overtime to give the Senators a 3-2 overtime win against the Panthers. Pageau notched a pair of goals and Craig Anderson stopped 24 shots as Ottawa dealt Florida its second straight loss.

— Anthony Mantha scored his team-leading 24th goal and the Red Wings snapped an 11-game road losing streak by beating the last-place Sabres, 6-3.

— The Canucks tripped the Oilers, 2-1 on Derrick Pouliot’s goal early in the third period.

 

PGA-HOUSTON OPEN

 

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) — Lucas Glover and Kevin Tway are the clubhouse co-leaders in first-round action at the PGA’s Houston Open.

Glover and Tway each fired 7-under 65s in the morning following a two-hour delay to the start of the tournament because of overnight rain.

PGA Tour rookie Sam Ryder was the overall leader when the round was halted by darkness, playing his first 15 holes at minus-8. Ryder holed an 8-foot birdie putt on 15.

 

In world and national news…

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — The Russian Foreign Ministry says it is summoning ambassadors from the countries that expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of an ex-spy in Britain to serve them notices about Moscow’s response.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Thursday that Moscow would expel the same number of diplomats from each of the nations that ordered Russian diplomats out. The Foreign Ministry said it was summoning ambassadors from those nations Friday to announce retaliatory measures.

Earlier this week, two dozen countries, including the U.S. and many EU nations, and NATO have expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats over the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia. A hospital treating them said Thursday the woman was improving rapidly and was now in stable condition, though her father remained in critical condition.

 

 

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The brother of an unarmed black man killed by police is helping diffuse tension in California’s capital city by asking protesters not to keep disrupting a downtown NBA arena.

Protesters heeded the calls by Stevante Clark on Thursday not to block fans from entering the Sacramento Kings arena as they had for two previous games. They instead protested for several hours on downtown streets nearby, blocking cars during rush hour.

Stevante Clark’s calls came just hours after an emotional display at the funeral for his 22-year-old brother, Stephon Clark. He was killed March 18 by police responding to a call of someone breaking car windows. The police say officers thought Stephon Clark had a gun, but he only had a cellphone.

The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, will on Friday release results of an independent autopsy.

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scientists haven’t rendered a verdict on whether coffee is good or bad for you but a California judge has. He says coffee sellers in the state should have to post cancer warnings.

The culprit is a chemical produced in the bean roasting process that is a known carcinogen and has been at the heart of an eight-year legal struggle between a tiny nonprofit group and Big Coffee.

Judge Elihu Berle ruled Wednesday in favor of the small nonprofit group in a decision that could eventually lead to millions of dollars in fines.

The industry argued the level of the chemical in coffee is too low to be harmful.

Afternoon coffee drinkers at a Los Angeles Starbucks said they might look into the warning, but the cup of joe was likely to win out.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hope Hicks has bid farewell to the White House and the press-shy communications director took a rare moment in the spotlight on her final day in Donald Trump’s administration.

But the Thursday exit of the president’s most trusted aide, coming one day after yet another Cabinet departure, highlights continuing uncertainty among Trump aides and White House staff about who might be the next to go.

Hicks was given a gracious goodbye by Trump outside the Oval Office.

That stands in stark contrast to the White House treatment of David Shulkin, the Veterans Affairs secretary who was fired amid ethics questions.

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Investigators trying to determine what caused an SUV carrying a family of eight to plunge off a California cliff will look at factors such as the weather, road conditions and the possibility of brake failure — but ultimately may never find out the cause.

Authorities don’t know exactly when or how the SUV went over the cliff. They say they have no reason so far to believe it was an intentional crash that claimed the lives of two women and at least three of their six adoptive children just days after child welfare authorities tried to contact the family over concerns about the kids’ living conditions.

But they also said there were no skid marks or signs the driver braked as the GMC Yukon crossed a flat dirt pull-off area, about 75 feet wide, and went over the edge of the Pacific Coast Highway. The vehicle was discovered Monday.