CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny.  Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. South

winds around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear.  Lows in the mid 60s.

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

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

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

and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

in the morning. Highs in the lower 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

 

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon/evening, mainly along and just ahead of a cold front.

Storms will have the potential to become severe.

Large hail and locally gusty winds will be the main threat.

Thunderstorms chances will remain in the forecast late in the work week and early this weekend.

Storms that do develop will have the potential to be strong to severe each day.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session Tuesday  morning at City Hall.  All members were present.

Commissioners continued discussing first draft of 2020 Budget.

 

At the budget meeting, City County Health presented its request of an increase of five percent over the 2019 budget, for a 2020 budget request of $28,131.  Five percent of funding comes from grants, 23 percent from other entities and 31 percent from contributions and a request of five mills from Barnes County.

The Valley City Park District requested, $38,300 as in previous years including insurance and electricity.

The LEAP program is offered, as a structured after school program on school days, from  3-p.m. to 5:30-p.m., from September to the end of May.  The Park District facilitates evening activities.

Valley City Barnes County Economic Development requested $33,000, in Sales Tax dollars.

$60,000 is requested from the county, $60,000 comes from memberships.

The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce requested $12,000 the same as 2019.  Also requested was $5,000 for the Summer Nights on Central concert series.  The DMV computers need replacing.

Kay Vinje pointed out the yearly events and activities, adding the goal of the Chamber is to attract more people to Valley City.

The Valley City Troubadours made their budget request, already in the budget.  Membership dues are also a part of the funding.

Barnes County Community Services did not request city support for 2020.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield said the city’s share of the premium increase is 25 percent, with the city proposing a premium increase to employees of eight percent, with the city picking up the remainder.

A committee of employees has been established to review health care costs.  The city may look at another health insurance provider.

South Central Transit requested   $20,000, however not all additional funding amounts area known, including federal dollars.

With the Visitors Committee, the Lodging Tax at three percent is down so far this year.   One percent comes in from the food and beverage tax.   No budget dollar figure was talked about at the meeting as it was presented to the city.

The Beautification Committee, request was $4,000 from the city sales tax fund.  It was noted other funding comes from a tree planting match, and a Forest Service Grant.

It was pointed out that $7,900 also comes from the City Sales Tax Fund for the Wellness Center.

The Valley City Women’s Choir and Civic Orchestra requested  $1,300.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays.

The next budget meeting is set for Monday August 5, at 7-a.m. at City Hall.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission Tuesday approved the purchase of a new City Fire Department truck.

The City Commission approved the purchase of a used, 2003 KME Tower Ladder Truck for VCFD.

City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said, the recommendation is to purchase the truck at $194,000 including a one year warrantee, plus $6,000 for a radio, for a total of $200,000. Late October to December is the expected delivery date, after the truck is gone over.

Chief Magnuson said the present truck may be worth $28,000 to $29,000 fro resale.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 as part of the City Budget meeting presentation, followed by replays.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Greg Hager of Valley City will perform at the City Park Bandshell on Wednesday, July 31 starting at 7:15 pm.

Prior to the performance, Midwest Dairy will be providing free ice cream starting at 6 pm.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Daily Bread-Jamestown (DB-J) program has added another freezer, which is open to the public, at First United Methodist Church located at 115 3rd  St SE.  The freezer is accessible daily during regular office hours, 9:00-5:00, Monday – Thursday.

Other freezers open to the public are located at St John’s Lutheran Church, James River Senior Center, and at each of the public schools (during the school year).

Fresh vegetables and some fruit is available in refrigerators located at the James River Senior Citizens Center and at St. John’s Lutheran Church.   Triumph clients help to distribute this food.   The produce is provided by a local warehouse on a weekly basis.

The program continues to seekfood donations from approved kitchens at convenience stores, hotels, food businesses and caterers.  Donors of the food are protected by the national Good Samaritan Law entitled The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act signed by former President William J. Clinton on October 1, 1996, which declares that no one person or agency can be held liable because this is a good will effort to provide a service for the good of others.   The 110th  Congress reinforced the law with PL 110-247—Federal Food Donation Act which was approved on June 20, 2008.

Daily Bread – Jamestown provides the freezer bags.  We will even provide freezers for kitchens if they do not have enough space to store the food until the food is picked up.

The Daily Bread- Jamestown food is free, and there are no registration requirements.

Daily Bread – Jamestown also coordinates the every other month distribution of senior/low income government food commodities in our area.  That food is delivered to us from the Great Plains Food Bank.  This is another way we are trying to combat the hunger issue in our community.  Applications are available through local churches and at the James River Senior Center.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team is offering a grief support group for anyone who is grieving the loss of someone important to them, whether the loss is recent or from years past.  The group will meet once a week at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 424 1st Ave S in Jamestown beginning on Thursday, August 8th and will run for 6 weeks.  This series will be held in the afternoons for the first time.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Eileen Lisko stated that in our fast paced society, people who have had a significant loss are often expected to be ‘over it’ in a matter of a few weeks.  They may even expect this of themselves.  In reality, it may take years for someone to work through his or her grief.  The support group experience allows individuals to express grief in their own unique way and on their own unique timetable.  She added that the grief support meetings should be in attendance for all six sessions.

Also on our show, JAGST President, Charlotte Freeberg added that the group is free of charge, however, participants are asked to register in advance to ensure enough materials are available.

To register, or for more information call, Charlotte at 701-952-9358, or Kathy at 701-952-8001,or 701-659-8001.

In his book, Understanding Your Grief, internationally recognized expert in the field of loss and grief, Dr. Alan Wolfelt states, “You can benefit from a connectedness that comes from people who have also had a death in their lives.  Support groups, where people come together and share the common bond of experience, can be invaluable in helping you and your grief and supporting your need to mourn long after the event of the death.”

 

Bismarck  (NDHP)  The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports a 38 year old man from Billings, Montana was killed, when his pickup rolled and crashed, Tuesday around 1-a.m., on Highway 1804, 16 miles east of Williston.

His 2008 Dodge pickup was traveling east on Hwy 1804 at an unknown speed. The Dodge failed to negotiate a left-hand curve in the roadway. The Dodge ran off the roadway, struck a cable barrier, and entered the south ditch. The Dodge overturned and came to rest in the ditch facing east. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.

This crash remains under investigation by the NDHP.

Assisting at the scene were….  Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Ray Rural Fire, Epping Rural Fire.

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — A driver has been arrested after striking and killing a pedestrian and injuring two others, then fleeing from the scene of the crash in Williston.

Police say the 42-year-old man is being held on a possible murder charge and other counts related to Monday night’s crash. The two people who were hurt were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

KEYZ reports neighbors say the man who died lived across the street from the suspect and enraged him by telling him to slow down as he drove through the neighborhood.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Authorities still aren’t providing details into cause of death of an American Indian woman whose body was found in a submerged truck one year ago.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the FBI’s refusal to release information in the case of Olivia Lone Bear has been frustrating for her family, and tribal and state officials.

Thirty-two-year-old Olivia Lone Bear disappeared from the Fort Berthold Reservation in 2017. The Newtown mother of five was found July 31, 2018 in the pickup truck pulled from Lake Sakakawea.

FBI spokesman Kevin Smith declined to discuss the cause of Lone Bear’s death because the case is still being investigated.

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive says the Lone Bear case “has floundered,” which he says is common when the federal government investigates crimes in Indian Country.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — An attorney and former Grand Forks County prosecutor has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a federal judge in North Dakota.

The Senate voted 68-22 Tuesday to select Peter Welte to fill the vacancy left by former U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson, who was confirmed last year to serve on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Welte was the Grand Forks County state’s attorney from 2002 to 2015. He received his undergraduate degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University in 1989 and graduated from the University of North Dakota law school in 1997.

Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota says Welte has the “right background” for the position and brings “a wealth of experience” to the bench.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Agricultural Products Utilization Commission is funding seven projects this quarter.

The group better known as APUC funds developers of North Dakota farm-related products. The money is typically used for research, marketing, farm diversification, agriculture tourism and technology.

The commission at its recent quarterly meeting in Medora voted to award seven grants totaling about $312,000.

The largest grant went to CoJack Snack & Pack of Devils Lake. The company received $105,425 to promote identity preserved natural products to a large buying group.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota landowners group has sued the state over a new law related to compensation for the use of cavities in underground rock formations.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the Northwest Landowners Association filed its lawsuit Monday challenging the law that takes effect Thursday. The group says the new law amounts to the unconstitutional taking of private property rights.

Gov. Doug Burgum in April signed the legislation that sought to clarify issues surrounding the cavities known as “pore space,” which may be used to inject saltwater from oil and gas production or for enhanced oil recovery.

Under the new law, some landowners cannot be compensated for their pore space.

Burgum has said the law clarifies legal issues related to underground injection, which should boost the state’s energy industry.

 

In sports…

Jamestown  (CSi)  On Wednesday evening,  Jamestown Speedway will host “Monster Truck Night of Thrills Spectacular.”

The two hour, scaled down event is similar to the  Monster Jam, with different talent on hand.

The monster trucks will still be crushing cars, vans, and everything in sight.

Also that evening there will be Monster Truck rides for  kids, and the Tuff Truck and quad racing.

For stock cars, the event will also feature Australian Pursuit and Jack Rabbit Dash for the stock cars.

A limited number of tickets are available for early purchase online at monstertruckthunder.com. If bought online, tickets will cost $10 per child and $18 per adult. Tickets at the gate will cost $15 per child and $20 for adults.

Gates open at 5 PM.

 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION…

Fargo-Moorhead 9, Chicago 8

 

MLB-SCHEDULE

Twins nip Marlins to pad lead

UNDATED (AP) _ The Minnesota Twins have added another game to their lead in the American League Central.

Jake Odorizzi (oh-DOH’-REE’-zee) bounced back from a poor start by quieting the Marlins in the Twins’ 2-1 win. Odorizzi is 12-5 after allowing one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Byron Buxton gave the Twins a 1-0 lead with a third-inning home run. Miguel Sano’s RBI double made it 2-0 in the fourth.

The outcome gives Minnesota a three-game advantage over Cleveland.

The Indians were silenced by Justin Verlander as the Astros’ ace struck out 13 while tossing two-hit ball over seven innings of a 2-0 shutout of Cleveland. Verlander won his fourth consecutive start and improved to 14-4 with Houston’s fourth straight victory. Robinson Chirinos (chih-REE’-nohs) belted a go-ahead homer in a two-run fifth off Shane Bieber, who had won four straight decisions before falling to 10-4.

Elsewhere around major league diamonds:

_ Diamondbacks rookie Taylor Clarke did not permit an earned run over 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball to lead a 4-2 win over the Yankees. Christian Walker and Carson Kelly homered for Arizona, which is 3-0 versus the Yanks this season. J.A. Happ allowed three runs in six innings for a struggling New York staff that gave up 79 runs over the previous eight games.

_ Avísail (av-ih-sah-EEL’) García homered and added the go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning to send the Rays past the Red Sox, 6-5. Travis d’Arnaud (dahr-NOH’) and García homered to give the Rays a 4-3 lead in the fifth and help chase David Price. Boston pulled ahead with a two-run homer from Andrew Benintendi in the bottom of the fifth before Tampa Bay inched within 7 ½ games of the AL East-leading Yankees.

_ The Athletics picked up their third straight win by downing the Brewers, 3-2 on Matt Olsen’s homer in the bottom of the 10th. Eric Thames (thaymz) hit a tying homer for Milwaukee with one out in the ninth after Khris Davis put the A’s ahead in the bottom of the eighth with a drive to left. Oakland stayed a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card, and the Brewers fell two games off the NL Central lead.

_ Matt Thaiss (thys) homered and drove in three runs in the Angels’ 6-1 win against the Tigers. Shohei Ohtani (SHOH’-hay oh-TAH’-nee) had three hits to back Griffin Canning, who threw four-hit ball over six innings. The Tigers have dropped seven of eight and are 4-14 since the All-Star break.

_ The Mariners picked up their sixth straight win as Kyle Seager provided a solo homer, a tiebreaking two-run triple and four RBIs in an 8-5 verdict over the Rangers. Domingo Santana hit his 21st homer to help Seattle match its longest winning streak of the year. Texas lost for the 18th time in 25 games and has an overall losing record for the first time since May 27.

_ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. capped his career-high, five-RBI game by launching a grand slam in the ninth inning of the Blue Jays’ 9-2 trouncing of the Royals. Freddy Galvis (GAL’-vees) drove in a pair of runs with a broken-bat single as Toronto clinched its first series win in Kansas City since April 2013. The Royals stranded 14 while going 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

_ Paul Goldschmidt has homers in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight games after supplying the go-ahead blast in a 2-1 victory over the Cubs. Goldschmidt’s drive off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning gives St. Louis a one-game lead over Chicago atop the NL Central. Winning pitcher Giovanny Gallegos (gy-AY’-gohs) retired Kyle Schwarber on a bases-loaded flyout after relieving Adam Wainwright, who allowed one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

_ The Braves have regained a 5 ½-game lead over Washington in the NL East after Adam Duvall went 4-for-5 with a pair of solo homers and three runs scored in Atlanta’s 11-8 victory against the Nationals. Josh Donaldson added a three-run last while the Braves were building an 11-1 lead. Julio Teheran allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings to finish with a 1.48 ERA for the month.

_ The Giants lost for just the fourth time in 16 games as Drew Smyly tossed seven shutout innings and Rhys Hoskins homered to lead the Phillies to a 4-2 win against San Francisco. Smyly surrendered just four hits and struck out five in helping the Phils beat the Giants for the seventh straight time in Philadelphia. Tyler Beede (BEE’-dee) walked Bryce Harper and Hoskins followed with a shot to center to chase the Giants starter and give the Phillies a 4-0 lead in the fifth.

_ Kristopher Negron homered in his first at-bat with the Dodgers to spark a 9-4 romp over the Rockies. A.J. Pollock, Russell Martin and Justin Turner also went deep for Los Angeles, which increased its lead in the NL West to 15 games over San Francisco. Tyler White gave Los Angeles a 7-0 lead with a two-run single in the third, one inning before Turner’s two-run homer off Chad Bettis (BEH’-this) made it 9-3.

_ The Mets extended their winning streak to a season-high five straight by getting back-to-back homers from Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto in the 11th inning of a 5-2 triumph over the White Sox. Noah Syndergaard (SIHN’-dur-gahrd) allowed an unearned run and struck out a season-high 11 over 7 1/3 innings of what may have been his last start as a Met with Wednesday’s trade deadline looming. Syndergaard was in line to get the win until Edwin Diaz blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth.

_ Chris Davis broke an 0-for-18 slump by hitting the tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning of the Orioles’ 8-5 victory at San Diego. Trey Mancini, Renato Núñez and Richie Martin drove in two runs apiece to help the Birds overcome an early 4-0 deficit. Former Oriole Manny Machado homered for the Padres, who are 5-12 since the All-Star break.

_ Pittsburgh’s 11-4 win over the Reds included a benches-clearing brawl in the ninth inning after Reds reliever Amir Garrett rushed the Pirates’ dugout and threw punches. Cincinnati outfielder Yasiel Puig (YAH’-see-ul pweeg) prolonged the fracas, and Reds manager David Bell faces a suspension after running onto the field one inning after his ejection. Pittsburgh ended a nine-game losing streak behind trade candidate Corey Dickerson, who drove in a career-high five runs with a pair of homers and a single.

 

MLB-NEWS

Indians sent Bauer downstate

UNDATED (AP) _ The Indians pulled off a major trade for a couple of hitters after getting shut out by Justin Verlander and the Astros.

A person familiar with the negotiations says Cleveland has agreed to trade enigmatic pitcher Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati as part of a three-team deal that includes San Diego.

The person said that Cleveland would get slugger Yasiel Puig (YAH’-see-ul pweeg) and left-hander Scott Moss from the Reds and would receive outfielder Franmil Reyes, lefty Logan Allen and infielder Victor Nova from the Padres.

San Diego would get minor league outfielder Taylor Trammell from the Reds.

Also around the majors:

_ The Braves have picked up reliever Chris Martin from the Rangers for minor league pitcher Kolby Allard. Martin is 0-2 with four saves and a 3.08 ERA in 38 appearances this season. The 33-year-old right-hander has allowed only three earned runs over his last 19 games since May 24.

_ The Chicago Cubs have added bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander David Phelps from Toronto for minor league righty Thomas Hatch. Phelps tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during 2017 spring training and didn’t return to the majors until last month, compiling a 3.63 ERA in 17 relief appearances since being activated.

_ The White Sox have activated shortstop Tim Anderson and recalled Carson Fulmer from Triple-A Charlotte. Anderson was hitting .317 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 70 games before spraining his right ankle on June 25.

_ The Pirates have suspended bullpen coach Euclides Rojas for two games over what it termed a contract violation. It is Pittsburgh’s second suspension this month involving the bullpen and follows reliever Keone Kela’s two-game suspension for an unspecified violation of his contract.

 

NFL-NEWS

Judge dismisses last federal suit over NFC title game

UNDATED (AP) _ A judge has dismissed the last of three federal lawsuits targeting Roger Goodell and other NFL officials over officiating at January’s NFC title game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints. That leaves one state court lawsuit pending over game officials’ failure to call a blatant penalty at a crucial point, helping the Rams advance to the Super Bowl.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan’s ruling Tuesday rejected arguments that people who bought tickets to the game are entitled to damage payments. Ticket purchasers who filed the suit say the NFL broke a legal promise that the game would be played fairly.

Elsewhere in the NFL:

_ Dolphins coach Brian Flores says Ryan Fitzpatrick has become the front-runner in the quarterback competition ahead of Josh Rosen. Flores said Fitzpatrick has run the offense well, shown great leadership and been more productive. Flores added that competition involving the two Dolphins newcomers will continue.

_ A.J. Green had ankle surgery and is expected to miss the start of the Bengals’ season. Green hurt his left ankle during the opening practice of camp on Saturday in Dayton, landing awkwardly after cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick bumped into him while breaking up a pass.

_ The Saints are giving former Redskins running back Robert Kelley a chance to get back in the NFL after two injury-plagued seasons. Kelly is a New Orleans native who also played for Tulane and practiced for the first time with the Saints on Tuesday.

_ For the second straight year, Julio Jones will sit out the Falcons’ full preseason schedule while he works his way back from a foot injury from training camp. After missing the preseason schedule last year, Jones led the NFL with 1,677 yards receiving.

_ Andrew Luck did not participate in the Colts’ practice and will miss at least two more workouts because of a strained left calf. He also has been ruled out of the Colts’ preseason opener at Buffalo.

_ The Bears have removed safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from the physically unable to perform list and he is expected to begin practicing. Clinton-Dix suffered a knee sprain in minicamp in June and has not been on the field yet at training camp.

_ The Browns are honoring Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham with a statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium. Graham played 10 seasons with Cleveland and led the Browns to a title game in each one. With Graham, the Browns won four All-America Football Conference championships and three NFL championships. The Browns will unveil the statue in September.

NHL-NEWS

Kunitz retires

UNDATED (AP) _ Forward Chris Kunitz (KOO’-nihts) has retired after winning four Stanley Cup titles in 15 NHL seasons.

The 39-year-old Kunitz registered 268 goals and 619 points in 1,022 NHL games with Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Chicago.

He is joining the Blackhawks’ front office as a player development adviser and will work with the coaching staffs for the Hawks and their American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford.

Also in the NHL:

_ The Minnesota Wild have fired general manager Paul Fenton after just one rough season, marked by the end of a six-year streak of making the playoffs. Assistant general manager Tom Kurvers was named acting general manager until a replacement is hired.

WOMEN’S SOCCER-ELLIS

Ellis steps down as women’s national team coach

UNDATED (AP) _ U.S. women’s national soccer team head coach, Jill Ellis, is stepping down after leading the squad to back-to-back Women’s World Cup titles.

Ellis has been coach of the team since 2014 and has led it to eight overall tournament titles, including victories at the World Cup in 2015 in Canada and earlier this month in France.

She will remain with the team for a World Cup victory tour, which kicks off Saturday with a match against Ireland at the Rose Bowl.

US WOMEN-EQUAL PAY

Men’s team takes issue with Cordeiro

UNDATED (AP) _ The players’ association for the U.S. men’s national team is criticizing U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro’s efforts to counter arguments made by the women’s team in a fight over pay.

The association sent a letter to the federation saying, “The Federation correctly points to the different payment systems with USWNT players on contracts, but we do not believe that justifies discrediting the work they do or the real value of their profound impact on the American sports landscape.”

Cordeiro sent a letter to the federation’s members Monday that said U.S. Soccer paid the World Cup champion women’s team more than the men’s team over the period from 2010 to 2018.

U.S. Soccer also claimed the women’s team generated less gross revenue than the men’s team from 2009 to 2019, and that women’s games resulted in a net loss of $27.5 million for the federation over an 11-year span.

The union for the men’s team took issue with those points, pointing out they lacked context.

NBA-TIMBERWOLVES-GUPTAK

Gupta is Wolves’ VP of basketball ops

UNDATED (AP) _ The Minnesota Timberwolves have named Sachin Gupta their executive vice president of basketball operations, continuing the front office makeover under new president Gersson Rosas.

Gupta was the assistant general manager last season for Detroit.

TRACK-SEMENYA CASE

Semenya has court setback

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) _ South African Caster Semenya won’t defend her title in the 800 meters at the world championships this fall.

A Swiss court overturned a temporary ruling that allowed her to compete in international events without taking testosterone-suppressing drugs.

Semenya is locked in a court battle with the IAAF, track and field’s governing body, over rules that require her to take the drugs to counter her naturally high testosterone levels.

GYMNASTICS-MICHIGAN STATE-SEXUAL ASSAULT

Former MSU president to get $2.5 M retirement package

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) _ Michigan State has announced that the former university president accused of lying about her knowledge of allegations against sports doctor Larry Nassar is getting about $2.5 million as part of a retirement package.

MSU also said Lou Anna Simon’s retirement is effective Aug. 31, and she has agreed not to sue the school. She resigned as president last year amid pressure, returned to a faculty position, and then took an unpaid leave while facing criminal charges.

Simon has denied any cover-up by the university.

 

In world and national news..

DETROIT (AP) — Democratic presidential candidates are closing out the latest debate in Detroit.

Marianne Williamson, who won over the crowd with her comments on Flint, Michigan’s water crisis, is calling for “some radical truth telling.”

Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, who clashed with two of the leading progressives on stage, says Democrats must offer “real solutions, not impossible promises” to defeat President Donald Trump.

But Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Democrats should be the “big party of structural change.”

And Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he is running to “transform this country and to stand with the working class of America,” which he says has been decimated for decades.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A hard-won, warts-and-all budget pact between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump is facing a key vote in the GOP-held Senate.

Many conservatives are torn between supporting the president and risking their political brand with an unpopular vote to add $2 trillion or more to the government’s credit card.

The Trump-supported legislation backed by the Democratic speaker would also stave off a government shutdown and protect budget gains for both the Pentagon and popular domestic programs. It’s attached to a must-do measure to lift the so-called debt limit.

For many Republicans it’s a tough vote, scheduled Wednesday afternoon. The tea party-driven House GOP conference broke against it by a 2-1 margin, but pragmatists prefer the measure to a fall landscape of high-wire deadlines and potential chaos.

 

 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea says North Korea has fired several unidentified projectiles off its east coast.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says the launches were done Wednesday from the North’s northeastern area.

It wasn’t immediately known exactly what North Korea fired.

The launches came after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea last Thursday in an apparent effort to ramp up pressure on the United States ahead of a possible resumption of nuclear diplomacy between North Korea and the U.S.

 

 

BALTIMORE (AP) — It’s not hard to find people who can relate to President Donald Trump’s tweets that Baltimore is a rodent-infested mess. Just go to a few of the thousands of apartments in the area owned by his son-in-law’s family company.

Jared Kushner’s family real estate firm has been criticized for years for the same kind of disrepair and neglect of its properties that the president has been accusing local leaders of failing to address.

Residents have complained about mold, bedbugs, leaks and, yes, mice — plenty of mice. They say management appears in no hurry to fix the problems.

Baltimore County officials say the Kushner Cos. violated housing codes more than 200 times in 10 months in 2017 and only moved to fix the problems after being threatened with fines.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says he and President Donald Trump are working on a plan to allow Americans to import lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada.

Azar made the comments Tuesday in an interview with CNBC.

As a candidate, Trump called for allowing Americans to import prescription drugs from abroad, and recently he’s backed a Florida law allowing state residents to gain access to medications from Canada.

Azar told CNBC he had just gotten off the phone with the president and they were discussing a plan that would allow Americans to safely and effectively import prescriptions from Canada.

Azar didn’t elaborate, but HHS says both are very open to the importation of prescription drugs as long as it can be done safely and can deliver results for patients.

 

 

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has unanimously approved a proposal to build over 700 housing units for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in addition to 6,000 Israeli settlement housing units.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the closed-door meeting, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government advanced the proposal late Tuesday. It appeared timed to coincide with a visit by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and chief Mideast envoy Jared Kushner, who is expected in the region this week.

The permits would be for construction in Area C, the roughly 60% of the West Bank where Israel exercises full control, and where most settlements are located. Netanyahu’s government has approved the construction of tens of thousands of settler homes, but permits for Palestinian construction are extremely rare.