– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – May 26

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY.. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Cloudy. Chance of rain showers in the evening, then rain showers likely after midnight. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of showers 60 percent, in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain

showers in the Jamestown area, 60 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing.

Areas of frost after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Areas of frost in the morning. Highs in

the lower 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of rain

showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 40s.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of rain

showers. Highs in the mid 60s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

.MEMORIAL DAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

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

Fire Danger Rating today in Stutsman and Barnes Counties is in the low category.

Valley City (VCPS) Valley City Public Schools will end the face mask requirement on May 31, 2021.

In a news release from Valley City Public Schools, Superintendent Josh Johnson stated:

“We are very excited to be finishing this successful school year at Valley City Public Schools. We can truly say that this has been a school year unlike any other. Together, we faced incredible challenges and made several very difficult decisions along the way. On behalf of our staff and school board, we share our appreciation with the students and parents that provided unending support for our school district over the past 14 months. Thank you!

Thursday, May 27th is the Last Day of School. We will be dismissing students early this Thursday, the last day of school. Please make sure that you are paying attention for dismissal times shared from Cschools and/or teachers (hint: we will follow our early dismissal schedule, busing included).

The district COVID-19 plan will officially end Monday, May 31st. After this date, masks worn on school property will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors. Information regarding any health guidelines for our summer programs will be shared with parents via email and/or communications from administration, coaches, and teachers. We look forward to beginning to plan for a ‘normal’ 2021-2022 school year and will share more information with you in August.

If you have any questions regarding the end of the school year and/or our summer programs, please contact us at the district office. Hope everyone has a great week and finish to the school year.”

Thank you,

Josh Johnson

Superintendent

Valley City Public Schools

(701) 845-0483

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Public School District Board has approved the negotiated agreement in conjunction with teachers before the end of the school year. The approval of the agreement was voted on at the May 24 Special School Board meeting.

Valley City Education Association president Sarah Lerud said the teachers and school board have worked together on issues since early spring. The agreement calls for a $500 base over the next two years, with the same step increases. Paternity leave incentives were also agreed to.

Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson said he feels the negotiated agreement benefits both parties over the next two years.

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats 11:00 a.m

Tues. May 25, 2021

Barnes

New Positives 0

Total Positives 1415

Active: 2

Recovered 1382

Stutsman

New Positives 2

Total Positives 3532

Active 13

Recovered 3436

(AP) Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12. The company released the preliminary findings Tuesday based on testing on more than 3,700 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States. Earlier this month, the U.S. and Canada authorized another vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech to be used starting at age 12. Moderna intends to submit its teen data to the Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators early next month. Moderna says its vaccine triggered the same signs of immune protection in kids as it does in adults, and the same mild, temporary side effects.

Bismarck (NDDoH) Income eligibility guidelines for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) have been adjusted based on federal poverty levels. The change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. Effective June 1, 2021, a family of four can earn up to $4,086 each month (or $49,025 annually) and meet the new WIC income eligibility requirements.

As the nation’s most successful public health nutrition program, WIC has provided healthy food, nutrition education and community support for more than 40 years. The WIC Program has improved children’s health, growth, and development by providing nutritious foods, including milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, 100 percent fruit juices, beans, whole grains and cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, WIC supports breastfeeding as the optimal way to feed infants. Infants who are not breastfeeding receive iron-fortified formula and older infants receive baby food.

State Health Department, WIC Program Director, Amanda Varriano, says,“Helping to keep families healthy is a main goal of WIC. WIC ensures that mothers and young children have access to healthy foods, breastfeeding support, accurate information, and referrals to health and other services.”

She says, if you are pregnant, have a new baby, or have children under the age of 5, you might be eligible for WIC. WIC is available to working and non-working families. Medicaid, TANF or SNAP participants are automatically income eligible. Families may qualify for WIC by meeting the income guidelines for the household.

Visit the North Dakota WIC website to find out more about WIC and how you may qualify: health.nd.gov/wic

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

In Jamestown the WIC Program in through Central Valley Health District.

In Valley City, through City-County Health District.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Tuesday at City Hall. All members were present, in person.

RESOLUTIONS:

Approved the request from Jamestown Parks and Recreation for a permit to conduct a dance on June 5, 2021, in the parking lot of Two Rivers Activity Center, 1501 5th St NE.

Approved the request from Corner Bar for a permit to conduct a street dance on June 12, 2021, on 2nd Ave SW from 1st Ave S westward to the alley.
Approved the request from Stutsman Harley Davidson for a permit to conduct a dance on June 19, 2021, in the parking lot of Stutsman Harley Davidson, 2501 3rd Ave SW.

Approved the request from Jamestown Country Club-Elks Lodge 995 for a permit to conduct a street dance on August 6, 2021, in the Elks Club Parking Lot and 4th St SW from 2nd Ave SW westward to the alley. Mayor Heinrich voted in opposition so as not to conflict with he being on the Elks Board of Trustees.

Approve the City of Jamestown sponsoring the CDBG grant application as requested by the Jamestown Parks and Recreation District for ADA improvements to park restrooms.

Approve the Quit Claim Deed, releasing an existing 20-foot easement on the property line at Lots 14 and 15, Block 2, Meidinger Third Addition, and authorizing the Mayor and the City Auditor to sign.
Mayor Heinrich said a boring will be started for a main water line, under the river, and the property owner asked if the line go be placed in another location. A new right of way easement will be implemented for the line.

Then the City Council officially approved the Right-of-Way Easement for the placement of a watermain as part of the 21-61 watermain project at Lot 14, Block 2, Meidinger Third Addition, authorizing the City Administrator to accept the easement, and authorizing the Mayor and the City Administrator to sign.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67 followed by replays.

(CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotions Committee met Tuesday afternoon, in joint Jamestown session at City Hall. All members were present and in person.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving a Resolution to approve and authorize the City Administrator to enter into a Municipal Advisor Agreement with Colliers for the issuance of improvement warrants for $1,998,000 Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2021 (Paving District 20-41), and to schedule the sale at the August 24, 2021, City Council meeting.

The committee recommends approval of the Special Use Permit for a Compassion Center Dispensary as required under City Code Appendix C, Sec. 12, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The medical marijuana facility. Police Chief Scott Edinger said the dispensary has been compliance, with no issues in the past. City Assessor Jamison Veil said the facility has been sold, and the new owners have applied for the permit. He said background checks were made, with no issues.

The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC for additional funding for 2021 Flex PACE Program, in the amount of $30,000, that buys down business loans through a grant in the amount of 70-percent, with the local entity paying the 30 percent. The $30,000 makes up for shortfall in local funding. Mayor Heinrich said alternate means of financing projects need to be looked at in the future.

The committee recommends approving the Volunteer Reintegration Agreement and Waiver for James River Correctional Center, volunteers on city projects. The agreement would not hold city liable for any issues that may come from the volunteers.

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing is scheduled at the June 7, 2021, regular City Council meeting, to consider the request by James River Valley Library Board of Directors to establish a James River Valley Library Building Fund for the purpose of construction, addition, alteration, purchasing land or purchasing a building to be used as a public library according to the policies as established by the Library Board of Directors.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the June 7, 2021, regular City Council meeting, for Ordinance No. 1546 to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of Auditor’s Lot 27-11, Midway Township (Part of Proposed Country Ready Mix Subdivision), within the Northwest Quarter and Northeast Quarter of Section 27, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Ag (Agriculture) to M-2 (General Industrial & Manufacturing District). The property is located at 8144 34th St SE.

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the June 7, 2021, regular City Council meeting, for Ordinance No. 1547 to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of Part of the Southwest Quarter and part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 27 (Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision), Township 140N, R64W of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, Extraterritorial Lands of the City of Jamestown, from A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space) & C-2 (General Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial) and from A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space) to A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space). The property is located at 81st Ave & 35th St SE.

From A-1 (Agricultural District) & C-2 (General Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial)

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision

Block 1, Lot 1

Block 2, Lots 1 & 2

Block 3, Lots 1, 2 & 5

Block 4, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7

Block 5, Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4

From A-1 (Agricultural District) to A-1 (Agricultural District)

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision

Block 3, Lots 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 9

Block 4, Lots 6 & 8

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No official business was on the agenda.

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

Jamestown (City of Jamestown) On Weds May 26 and Thurs May 27; there will be a road closure on 9th St SW (between 1st & 2nd Ave SW) and starting from 8th St SW to 2nd Ave SW (8th to 9th St SW).

This closure will take place from 7:00 AM on Weds (May 26th) until 7:00 AM Thursday (May 27th) for utility work.

Construction signing will be put in place by the contractor.
Motorists should use extreme caution in this area and take alternate routes during this time, if possible.

Bismarck Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Wednesday, May 26, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a mark of respect for West Fargo Police Department Lt. Adam Gustafson, who died while on duty May 18 at the age of 40. A service to celebrate the life and honor the memory of Gustafson will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Northview Church in Fargo.

“Lt. Adam Gustafson served the citizens of West Fargo for more than a decade and served his country in the Army National Guard for seven years, dedicating his life to the safety and protection of his community and his country,” Burgum said. “Kathryn and I extend our prayers and condolences to his family, friends and law enforcement colleagues, and we lower the flags to signify our deepest respect and gratitude for his devoted service.”

Bismarck (NDDOT) – ND Sober Ride, a new program to remove impaired drivers from North Dakota roads, will offer Lyft codes May 29 through May 31 or while codes last.

Use Lyft code “VZMEMORIAL1” to get $10 off Lyft for Memorial Day weekend.

Program funding for Memorial weekend codes are sponsored by AAA – The Auto Club Group. Companies interested in becoming a part of the solution can sponsor ND Sober Ride by contacting NDDOT Safety Public Information Program Manager, lbjork@nd.gov.

ND Sober Ride will expand to include smaller communities by utilizing taxi and other transportation services in the future. Lyft codes are unique to each holiday or event and a user may only use a code once per time period. Codes can be found on the Vision Zero website.

This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Fifteen years after 3-year-old Reachelle Smith disappeared, Minot’s police chief says the case on the girl known as “Peanut” is closed and the only suspect in her disappearance killed her. Chief John Klug said at a news conference Tuesday that police believe “without a doubt” that Leigh Cowen killed Reachelle. Cowen killed himself a week after she was last seen. Police say a “substantial amount” of Reachelle’s blood was found in a cooler at Cowen’s home. Police say they still don’t know a motive. The child’s body was never recovered. Klug says police were hoping her remains would be found.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A new quarterly report shows North Dakota’s economic outlook is improving as the coronavirus pandemic begins to wane. The second-quarter outlook from North Dakota State University shows a growing labor force, an increase in gross state product and steady total tax collections. One cloud in the improved outlook is lingering difficulties in the labor market, where wages and salaries are projected to decrease and unemployment might increase. The unemployment rate is projected to increase early in the second and third quarters before leveling off near 6.5%.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Fargo police have identified a man who was fatally shot outside a nightclub on the west side of the city. Police say 28-year-old Dominque Dewayne McNair was killed Sunday in the parking lot of the Africa Restaurant and Nightclub. McNair worked at the club, police said. He does not have a permanent address. Investigators continue to conduct interviews, review video and work other tips in the case. Police say there were several vehicles and people seen leaving the parking lot at the time of the shooting, but no further details have been released.

In sports…

Tuesday

Softball

East Region Tournament

Quarterfinal Round

Valley City 12 Fargo South 2

Tuesday

Region 3 Baseball

At Tolna

Semifinal

Lamoure/Litchville/Marion 12 Carrington 2 (5 innings)

Kidder County 15 Sheyenne/New Rockford 2

Kidder County 13 Carrington 3 (5 innings)

NBA PLAYOFFS…

UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have grabbed a two-games-to-none lead in their NBA first-round series with Boston.

Joe Harris tied a franchise playoff record with seven 3-pointers while scoring a postseason career-high 25 points as the Nets routed the Celtics, 130-108. Harris delivered 16 points in the first quarter while going 4 for 4 behind the arc.

Kevin Durant scored 26 points and James Harden added 20 for the Nets, who lit up the Celtics for 40 points in the first quarter after scoring just 16 in the opening period of Game 1.

Kyrie Irving had 15 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Nets, who made 17 3-pointers.

Marcus Smart scored 19 points.

Game 3 is Friday in Boston.

The Lakers evened their series at a game apiece and stole homecourt advantage from the Phoenix Suns.

LeBron James made a turnaround 18-foot jumper and Anthony Davis followed with a 3-pointer and two free throws late in fourth quarter as the Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Suns. Davis’ trey with 2:15 left put Los Angeles up 98-92 and ended a Phoenix rally.

James furnished 23 points and nine assists. Davis made 18 of 21 free throws and added 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points and made all 17 of his free throws. Deandre Ayton had 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and shot 11 of 13 from the field.

Game 3 is Thursday in Los Angeles.

The Clippers could be in line for another earlier-than-expected playoff exit after falling behind 2-0 against Dallas.

Luka Doncic (DAHN’-chihch) scored 39 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 28 as the Mavericks again outshot the NBA’s best 3-point team in a 127-121 victory over Los Angeles. Hardaway hit a playoff career-high six 3-pointers and Doncic had five as Dallas was 18 of 34 from long-range. Kristaps Porzingis (pohr-ZIHN’-gihs) added 20 points and Maxi Kleber had 13 for Dallas.

Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored 30 of his 41 points by halftime for the Clippers, who travel to Dallas for Game 3 on Thursday.

NBA-NEWS

Porzingis fined for COVID-19 violation

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has fined Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (KRIHS’-tahps pohr-ZIN’-gihs) $50,000 for violating the rule prohibiting players from going into any bar, club, lounge, or similar establishment, regardless of the player’s vaccination status.

Porzingis violated the rule when he attended a club on May 23. The league says medical experts determined that Porzingis will not have to quarantine.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

— Knicks forward Julius Randle has been named the league’s most improved player. Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 71 games. He received 98 first-place votes and earned 493 total points from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Pistons forward Jerami Grant received the other two first-place votes and finished in second place with 140 points.

— The Cavaliers have lost a coin flip with the Thunder for the No. 4 position in next month’s draft lottery. However, both teams will have the same chance of winning the No. 1 pick, behind Houston, Detroit and Orlando. Cleveland and Oklahoma City each finished 22-50 in the regular season.

NHL…

MONTREAL (AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken control of their Stanley Cup first-round series.

Jack Campbell stopped 32 shots and the Maple Leafs grabbed a three-games-to-one lead by blanking the Canadiens, 4-0. Campbell has allowed just four goals in the series while recording a 1.02 goals-against average.

Carey Price had his own shutout going until William Nylander (NEE’-lan’-dur) beat him 1:27 into the second period. The Leafs took command on goals by Jason Spezza (SPET’-suh) and Joe Thornton 2:28 apart in the second.

Alex Galchenyuk (gal-CHEHN’-yuhk) had a goal and two assists for Toronto, which can clinch the series at home on Thursday.

Price stopped 24 of 27 shots.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes needed to rally for a three-games-to-two lead over the Predators.

Jordan Staal scored off a rebound at 1:44 of overtime to give Carolina a 3-2 win against Nashville. The Predators were minutes away from a regulation victory until Martin Necas (mahr-TEEN’ NAY’-chas) scored his second goal of the night.

Alex Nedeljkovic (neh-DEHL’-koh-vihch) stopped 23 shots and blanked the Predators after Yakov Trenin (TREH’-nihn) notched his second goal of the night 53 seconds into the middle period.

The series shifts to Nashville for Game 6 on Thursday.

NHL-GRETZKY-OILERS

Gretzky leaves Oilers front office, citing ‘life changes’

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Wayne Gretzky is leaving as vice chairman of the Edmonton Oilers, citing “the pandemic and other life changes.”

The 60-year-old hockey great says he will not be able to “dedicate the time nor effort needed to support this world-class organization.” The NHL’s all-time leading scorer and four-time Stanley Cup winner returned to the Oilers in a front-office role in 2016.

MLB..

— The Orioles’ losing streak stands at eight games after Rob Refsnyder homered and doubled twice in the Twins’ third win in a row, 7-4. Jorge Polanco also homered, while Mitch Garver and Alex Kiriloff each doubled twice in the win.

— Clayton Kershaw allowed a run and four hits in 7 2/3 innings for his seventh win, guiding the Dodgers to a 9-2 thumping of the Astros. Justin Turner hit a two-run homer and Chris Taylor drove in two runs as Los Angeles got its eighth straight victory.

UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have put an end to the Tampa Bay Rays’ 11-game winning streak.

Brad Keller held the Rays to a run and four hits over seven innings to pitch the Royals to a 2-1 victory. Salvador Perez put the Royals up 2-1 on a sixth-inning single off Rich Hill, who struck out a career-high 13 over eight frames.

Tampa Bay’s winning string was the second-longest in club history, one shy of the record set in 2004 by the then-Devil Rays managed by Lou Piniella.

In other major league games:

— Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his major league-leading 16th home run and Steven Matz carried a shutout into the seventh inning of the Blue Jays’ 6-2 win over the Yankees. New York starter Corey Kluber is slated for an MRI after leaving the game due to shoulder tightness after three innings.

— Lucas Giolito (jee-oh-LEE’-toh) beat Jack Flaherty in a major league matchup of former high school teammates, leading the White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sloppy St. Cardinals. José Abreu (ah-BRAY’-oo) homered and drove in four runs for Chicago, which earned its second straight win since it was swept by the Yankees over the weekend.

— Aaron Civale (sih-VA’-lee) took a shutout into the ninth inning and the Indians banged out two homers in defeating the Tigers, 4-1. Cesar Hernandez and Jordan Luplow (LOOP’-loh) homered to back Civale, who scattered six hits over eight-plus innings to improve to 6-0 with a 2.19 ERA lifetime against Detroit.

— Jacob deGrom struck out nine in a successful return from the injured list and Tomás Nido (NEE’-doh) hit a tiebreaking homer to push the Mets to their first win in four games, 3-1 over the Rockies. DeGrom gave up only Ryan McMahon’s solo homer and two other hits in five innings, his first action since being sidelined with tightness on his right side.

— Pablo Sandoval had three hits in his first game at Fenway Park since his disastrous tenure with the Red Sox, leading the Braves to a 3-1 victory. Charlie Morton gave up one unearned run on three hits, striking out nine and walking two in seven innings for his first victory in a month.

— Eugenio Suarez homered off Nationals ace Max Scherzer in his first career start as a leadoff hitter, helping the Reds earn a 2-1 victory. Kyle Farmer also homered off Scherzer and Tyler Mahle allowed three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

— The Padres came away with a 7-1 win at Milwaukee as Joe Musgrove and three relievers combined on a two-hitter. Five of San Diego’s six stolen bases came against Corbin Burnes, who issued three walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

— Evan Longoria was 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and four RBIs in the Giants’ 8-0 assault on the Diamondbacks. Brandon Crawford provided a three-run double in the first inning to give a cushion to Kevin Gausman, who gave up five hits while fanning nine in five innings.

— J.P. Crawford had three hits and Mariners center fielder Kyle Lewis made a magnificent catch to save two possible runs in a 4-3 verdict over the Athletics. Lewis robbed Ramón Laureano of a likely extra-base hit with two on in the fifth, ranging deep into left-center field for a running grab just in front of the wall.

— Shohei Ohtani’s (SHOH’-hay oh-TAH’-neez) 15th home run of the year was a three-run blast while the Angels plated six in the fourth inning to beat the Rangers, 11-5. Justin Upton and Jared Walsh also went deep for Los Angeles.

— Joc Pederson hit a solo shot and a two-run blast in the Cubs’ 4-3 comeback win over the Pirates. Anthony Rizzo hit a tiebreaking single to back Jake Arrieta, who fell behind, 3-0 before beating Pittsburgh for the third time this season.

— Vince Velasquez pitched three-hit ball for six innings to lead the Phillies past the Marlins, 2-0. Rhys Hoskins belted a two-run homer off Sandy Alcantara (al-KAN’-tah-rah), who allowed just one other hit over eight innings.

MLB-NEWS

Harper goes to IL

UNDATED (AP) — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has gone on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday with a bruised left forearm.

Harper is hitless in his past 16 at-bats, which has dropped his OPS to .884. He sat out games Sunday and Monday.

The Phillies also reinstated outfielder Roman Quinn from the injured list.

Also around the majors:

— Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (SIHN’-dur-gahrd) was pulled from his minor league rehabilitation outing on Tuesday because of soreness in his pitching elbow. Syndergaard is coming back from Tommy John surgery on March 26 last year. He threw four shutout innings with five strikeouts last Wednesday for Class A St. Lucie but lasted only one inning in his second start with the team.

— Mets third baseman J.D. Davis is headed back to New York for more treatment, cutting short his rehab assignment. Davis has been out since May 1 with a sprained left hand.

— Indians righty Zach Plesac (PLEE’-sak) has landed on the 10-day injured list, the result of breaking the thumb on his pitching hand while yanking off his undershirt after a rough outing. The injury occurred after he was reached for five runs in the fourth inning of a loss to the Twins on Sunday. There was no initial word on how long Plesac would be sidelined.

— Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson will be sidelined for at least several weeks with a partial shoulder dislocation that could require surgery. Anderson is batting .250 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Isan Díaz has been activated from the injured list and is expected to share third base with Jon Berti (BUR’-tee).

— The Rangers have placed right-hander Kyle Gibson on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Saturday because of a right groin strain that their top starter had been dealing with for several games. Gibson is 3-0 with a 2.24 ERA in 10 starts this season. Texas right-handed reliever Hunter Wood was also put on the injured list with right elbow discomfort.

— Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing the first 45 games this season with a right oblique sprain. Mondesi was hurt in the Royals’ final spring training game on March 29.

— The Cardinals have placed outfielder Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with a hairline rib fracture. Bader got hurt when he made a diving attempt on Nick Madrigal’s bloop double in the third inning of Monday night’s 5-1 loss at the White Sox.

— Joe West is behind the plate for his 5,376th regular-season game, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Bill Klem. He began his big league career at age 23, doing a handful of games in the last month of the 1976 season. He broke the record in the Cardinals-White Sox game in Chicago.

NFL-NEWS

Packers say they won’t let Rodgers situation distract team

UNDATED (AP) — Green Bay Packers players say the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t distract them in their offseason preparations.

The NFL Most Valuable Player hasn’t been present for organized team activities this week following an ESPN report last month that he doesn’t want to return to Green Bay. Rodgers was noncommittal about his future in an ESPN interview Monday night.

All-Pro selection Davante Adams and most of the Packers’ other receivers weren’t at Tuesday’s OTA session, either.

Also happening in the NFL:

— The Falcons began their offseason training program without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. Rookie coach Arthur Smith was tight-lipped about the Falcons’ options. But he insisted that he doesn’t begrudge Jones for speaking his mind.

— Injured quarterback Joe Burrow says he’ll be ready for the Bengals’ season opener on Sept. 12. He had surgery on his left knee in December, and he said it’s back to 80 to 85%. Wearing a knee brace, he threw on the practice field on the first day of organized team activities in which every eligible Bengals player took part.

— Bills players are split on whether to get vaccinated at the same time coach Sean McDermott is raising concerns that his team could fall behind in having COVID-19 protocol restrictions loosened for the start of training camp. McDermott notes the issue can be divisive and says he is attempting to educate rather than convince his players to get fully vaccinated. At issue is the six-week period for those who receive a two-dose vaccine in order to be deemed fully vaccinated. The time frame will soon be pushing into the Bills opening training camp in late July.

— The Steelers have decided not to boycott offseason activities after all. A majority of the 90-man roster showed up for the start of organized team activities. The players hinted last month they may skip the voluntary OTAs due to concerns over health protocols and protections.

— The Pro Football Hall of Fame is going to open all its exhibits on Friday. The reopening includes several exhibits and areas that had remained offline since the COVID-19 pandemic closed the Hall for nearly three months last year. Visitors and employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance inside the museum. Those not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks.

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump’s business dealings. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. The development signals that the Manhattan district attorney’s office was moving toward seeking charges as a result of its two-year investigation, which included a lengthy legal battle to obtain Trump’s tax records. In a statement, Trump called the investigation a “witch hunt,” saying it’s “purely political” and “driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors.” The district attorney’s office declined to comment.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian president has defended his decision to tell a passenger jet to land in his country and accused European leaders of waging a “hybrid war” to “strangle” his nation by ordering up new sanctions for diverting the flight and arresting an opposition journalist aboard. Speaking Wednesday, President Alexander Lukashenko maintained his contention that there was a bomb threat against the Ryanair flight and called it an “absolute lie” that a fighter jet he scrambled was forcing the passenger plane to land in Minsk. European Union leaders have denounced the move to divert the plane as an act of piracy. The plane was searched after landing, and no bomb was found — but Raman Pratasevich, a journalist and activist, was detained.

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Egypt on the next leg of a diplomatic mission aimed at shoring up a cease-fire that ended an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. Blinken was holding talks Wednesday with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry and the country’s chief spy Abbas Kamel. Blinken wrapped up extensive talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and is scheduled to travel to Amman, Jordan late Wednesday to meet with the Jordanian king and other officials.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union took on vaccine producer AstraZeneca in a Brussels court on Wednesday and accused it of diverting promised doses to other nations when it had promised them for urgent delivery among the 27 member states. AstraZeneca’s contract signed with the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, on behalf of member states foresaw an initial 300 million doses for distribution among all 27 countries, with an option for a further 100 million. The doses were expected to be delivered throughout 2021. But only 30 million were sent during the first quarter.

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets have risen as inflation fears eased and investors looked ahead to U.S. data that are expected to show economic growth accelerating. Benchmarks rose in Paris, London, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong on Wednesday. U.S. futures also were higher. Overnight, Wall Street’s S&P 500 index slipped 0.2%. Investors worried that stronger inflation might prompt governments and central banks to withdraw economic stimulus have been reassured by comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials that they see no need yet to change course. Data due out Thursday are expected to show the biggest global economy accelerated in the latest quarter after growing at an annual rate of 4.3% in 2020’s final quarter.