CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 60 percent in the Valley City area.

Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon in the  20 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the lower 60s. West winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms after midnight. Lows around 60.

.MEMORIAL DAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s.

 

 

Scattered thunderstorms across northwest and far north central North Dakota, and the James River Valley Wednesday  afternoon, and likely through the evening.

A few storms may be strong to severe with large hail to half dollar size, damaging wind gusts to 60 mph, locally heavy rainfall, and dangerous lightning.

There is a chance of thunderstorms across northern North Dakota

and the James River Valley on Thursday. A few storms could be

strong to severe across the James River Valley through the Turtle

Mountains.

The chance of thunderstorms returns Sunday through Tuesday

across western and central North Dakota. This period will have to

be monitored for severe convective potential.

 

 

CSi Program Note:  The family of Charlie Kourajian requested the funeral be replayed on The Replay Channel for those unable to attend.   The special presentation continues to replay through Thursday afternoon on CSi TV 10.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse opens for the summer season on Friday May 25th.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse Historic Site Superintendent Steve Reidburn said starting Friday the hours are 10-a.m., to 5-p.m., with the exception of Monday’s and Tuesday’s.

He pointed out that visitors highlights include the recently refurbished courtroom and the Treasurers and Register of Deeds offices.

He noted that the entire courthouse has the original pressed tin ceilings with future plans calling for the installation of an elevator, and more restoration of the courtroom.

He thanked Jamestown Tourism for extensive funding for the projects, along with state funding.

Individual and business donations are always welcome, as well.

Also this summer Concerts in the Courtroom are planned.

The schedule includes:

June 30th, Terry and Linda

July 8th,  Old Friends

August 5th,  DW Groethe

All concerts start at 1-p.m.

Also, with the “Young Sheriff’s,” program, youngsters visiting the 1883 Courthouse can take part in a scavenger hunt, with those finding the items to receive a “sheriff’s badge.”

He added that a wedding will be held at the courthouse this summer.

Those wishing more information can call Steve Reidburn at 701-252-1170, or E-Mail

sreidburn@nd.gov or contact members of the 1883 Courthouse Committee.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Workforce recruiting has moved to the forefront in western North Dakota’s oil industry, according to petroleum experts.

The annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference began Tuesday in Bismarck. North Dakota Petroleum Council President Ron Ness said companies have focused hiring efforts on the state’s western region.

Demand for drivers and heavy equipment operators has contributed to nearly 9,400 job openings in the mining, driving, oil and hospitality industries statewide by next year, the Bismarck Tribune reported.

“There’s truly not a job that doesn’t have an opening,” said Cindy Sanford, Williston manager for Job Service North Dakota.

The agency participated in four job fairs last week, Sanford said. Recruiters hired more than half the people who approached them during one session.

Sanford said a local health care company in the western region needs nearly 100 nurses, while a construction business seeks 500 workers in the next couple weeks.

“Pipeline is huge this year — similar to drilling in 2011,” she said.

Companies want people with experience and training, said Daniel Sternberg, coordinator of McKenzie County Economic Development, of the oil business. Sternberg said his organization is working to meet industry needs.

“They’re not just taking warm bodies like they were,” he said.

Neset Consulting has been focusing its recruitment on women. Kathy Neset announced Tuesday that her company has been certified as a woman-owned business.

Neset said she’s proud to offer a “safe, friendly working environment in this industry” to women who like her firm’s technical work in oil and gas.

 

 

In sports…

The West Region baseball and softball Tournaments start Thursday, including Jamestown Blue Jays teams.

The softball tournament in Mandan starts on Thursday, May 24th.

11am: No.1 Dickinson vs. No.8 Legacy

1pm: No.4 Bimsarck vs. No.5 Jamestown

3pm: No.2 Minot vs. No.7 Williston

5pm: No.3 Century vs. No.6 Mandan

 

The Baseball Tournament starts Thursday May 24th, in Williston

10am: No.8 Bismarck vs. No.9 St. Mary’s

12:15pm: No.1 Century vs. Play-in winner

2:30pm: No.4 Jamestown vs. No.5 Mandan

4:45pm: No.2 Minot vs. No.27 Dickinson

7pm: No.3 Williston vs. No.6 Legacy

 

Valley City (VCSUVikings.com) – Five Valley City State University student-athletes will be competing at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships this week in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Senior Megan Johnson is competing in women’s long jump and triple jump; juniors Sayge McKrill and Mackenzie Huber have qualified to throw in the women’s discus; and freshman Kyle Odegard and sophomore Garret Roemmich are both competing in men’s javelin.

VCSU distance runners Grace Miller and Dennis Gonzalez also qualified in the marathon for the national meet, but are unable to compete.

The NAIA Championships run May 24-26 in Gulf Shores, Ala. Opening ceremonies for the national meet will be on Thursday at 2 p.m.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House team is heading to Singapore this weekend to work on logistics for President Donald Trump’s planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon).

Trump cast doubt Tuesday on the future of the June 12 meeting. But a White House spokesman, Raj Shah, says the U.S. “always sends advance teams ahead of any scheduled presidential visit.”

Shah says Joe Hagin — the deputy chief of staff for operations — will go to Singapore over the weekend to continue the preparations.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, has been interviewed a second time by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team.

That’s according to Kushner’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell.

Lowell says Kushner answered all questions that were asked and “is looking forward to continuing the work the president has asked him to do.”

The first interview with Kushner occurred last fall. It was limited to questions about former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn, who later was charged with lying to the FBI.

It’s not immediately clear when Kushner’s second interview took placed or exactly what Kushner was asked.

 

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York says President Donald Trump violates the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter for political speech.

Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald (rees BUHK’-wahld) in Manhattan issued the written decision Wednesday.

In ruling, she said no government official — including the president — is above the law.

The case was brought last July by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven individuals blocked by Trump after criticizing the Republican president.

After a hearing this year, the judge had suggested that Trump mute rather than block some of his critics. At the time, a Justice Department attorney agreed that muting would enable Trump to avoid a tweet he doesn’t want to read.

 

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster shrugged his shoulders when asked about the NFL’s new policy on national anthem protests, saying in a way, players are powerless.

Foster says: ‘If the team says, ‘this is what we’re doing,’ and ownership (does too), you either deal with it or you’re probably going to get cut. You can fight the resistance on that one but, same as we can’t smoke marijuana because it’s illegal in certain states, it’s the same issue.”

The guard says, “you have to adhere to the rules and if not, they’ll find a way to get you up out of there.”

The Steelers botched an attempt last fall to stay out of the national anthem flap by remaining in the tunnel during a game in Chicago.

Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a graduate of West Point who did three tours in Afghanistan before joining the NFL, found himself on the field when the anthem began playing and turned to face the flag. His teammates remained in the tunnel, leading to the stark image of Villanueva standing alone while his teammates remained out of sight 20 yards away.

Villanueva and the rest of the Steelers apologized for what they called a miscommunication.