AP News Digest 6:40 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-HEALTH MINISTER, VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS,VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMIC IMPACT CHECKS, VIRUS OUTBREAK-SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF, VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-G7, ELECTION 2020-TRUMP AD, INDIANAPOLIS-OFFICER SHOT, OBIT-ALLEN-DAVIAU, VIRUS OUTBREAK-FAUCI FEVER, VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAZZ MUSICIANS FUND, OBIT-BRIAN-DENNEHY
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON — President Trump gives governors a roadmap for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out a phased approach to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases. The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. By Zeke Miller, Alan Suderman and Kevin Freking. SENT: 1,050 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from a White House news conference that is ongoing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WUHAN LAB — President Trump and some of his officials are stepping up efforts to pin blame on China for the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve floated a theory that the new coronavirus was set loose on the world by a Chinese lab that let it escape — contrary to what the scientists say.. By Calvin Woodward. SENT: 880 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The ranks of America’s unemployed swelled toward Great Depression-era levels, and President Trump reacted to the pressure on the economy by outlining a phased approach to reopening parts of the country where the coronavirus is being brought under control. By Christopher Rugaber and Lori Hinnant. SENT: 1,220 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NURSING HOME DEATHS — An extraordinary number of coronavirus-related deaths appears to have overwhelmed a nursing home in northern New Jersey where police found 18 bodies in what the governor called a “makeshift morgue” on two consecutive days earlier this week. By David Porter. SENT: 680 words, photo.
MED--VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONTACT TRACING — Before stay-at-home orders are lifted, the nation’s public health agencies want to be ready to douse any new sparks of coronavirus infection — a task they say could require tens of thousands more investigators to call people who test positive, track down their contacts and get them into quarantine. By Carla K. Johnson and Mike Stobbe. SENT: 1,047 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
WESTERN MEGADROUGHT — A two-decade-long dry spell that has parched much of the western United States is turning into one of the deepest megadroughts in the region in more than 1,200 years, a new study found. And about half of this historic drought can be blamed on man-made global warming, according to a study in the journal Science. By Seth Borentstein. SENT: 680 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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FACEBOOK-MISINFORMATION WARNINGS — Facebook will soon let you know if you saw or interacted with dangerous coronavirus misinformation on the site. SENT: 680 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-MAIL — Is it safe to open mail and packages? Health officials say you should be fine opening up letters from your mailbox or packages on your doorstep. SENT: 150 words, photo.
OBIT-ALLEN-DAVIAU — ‘E.T.,’ ‘Bugsy’ cinematographer Allen Daviau dies at 77. SENT: 340 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FAUCI FEVER — A new condition related to the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping the United States: Fauci Fever. Dr. Anthony Fauci has become an unlikely celebrity as COVID-19 spreads. SENT: 560 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WEDDING -- A delivery driver arrived just in the nick of time to a beach wedding in North Carolina with a critical piece of the ceremony. SENT: 234 words.
CACTUS-EAGLES NEST -- For the first time in decades, bald eagles have been found nesting in an Arizona saguaro cactus. SENT: 130 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-HEALTH MINISTER — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro fired his health minister after a series of disagreements over efforts to contain the new coronavirus, removing his government’s popular pointman on pandemic response just weeks before experts expect the virus’ peak in the South American country.. SENT: 670 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT — Congress planned robust oversight of the $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, creating at least four different bodies to help prevent fraud and abuse as the government doles out a massive amount of money to businesses, states and individuals. But none of those panels have been set up yet. By Mary Clare Jalonick and Matthew Daly. SENT: 960 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Lawmakers struggle to break a stalemate over the Trump administration’s request for $250 million to shore up a small business program. The Small Business Administration says the paycheck protection program has reached its $349 billion funding limit and no more applications will be accepted. By Andrew Taylor. SENT: 760 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-VOTING — House Democrats propose a rare rules change that would allow lawmakers to vote remotely during the coronavirus outbreak. SENT: 450 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-G7 — President Trump faces international resistance to his plan to cut U.S. payments to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 530 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FOOD PANTRIES — The coronavirus pandemic has provoked a spike in demand for food pantries in the U.S. Providers have seen people lining up hours before pantries open, with cars stretching sometimes for miles. But while demand is up as much as 60% in some places, food donations have declined significantly. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DIARY-THE DOG — While millions of people are stuck in their homes, there are abandoned dogs and cats still looking for one. One writer is now living with a newly adopted 3-year-old dog who is helping him deal with the recent deaths of his father, a colleague and another dog who was very dear. He is already discovering how these animals can provide a ray of light amid the gloom. SENT: 592 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NURSES SUSPENDED — Ten nurses have been suspended from their jobs at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, after refusing to care for COVID-19 patients without being provided protective N95 face masks. SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-NEIGHBORHOOD PLEDGE — Jennifer Stamper thought having her children recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning would help them feel like it was a regular school day. It’s not, of course, because schools are closed and 9-year-old Zach and 7-year-old Juliette are doing their lessons online. Now the morning Pledge of Allegiance has become a tradition in their neighborhood in the Dayton suburb of Kettering. SENT: 568 words, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK - RAMADAN CELEBRATION -- Ramadan unites Muslims the world over in fasting and worship during a time of reflection. This year, it follows a string of religious holidays that have also unified the faithful from different religions in grappling with how to observe familiar rituals and celebrations in a time of unfamiliarity. SENT: 1,243 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SPAIN-FUNERAL-HOMES — Jordi Fernández’s 16-year-career as a mortician didn’t prepare him for the hundreds of bodies that are streaming into the Barcelona funeral home where he works. Many are victims of COVID-19, and Fernandez cannot truly do his job. SENT: 740 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEXICO-BEER -- Perhaps one of the most heated debates in Mexico during the pandemic — after disagreements about personal protective equipment and testing — is the burning issue of whether beer should be considered an “essential” item during the lockdown. SENT: 580 words, photo.
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ELECTION 2020-TRUMP AD — A leading Democratic super PAC promises it will tangle with President Trump’s reelection campaign in court to keep airing television ads Trump wants off the airwaves. SENT: 510 words, photo.
TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE — Newly released footnotes from a Justice Department watchdog report raise the prospect that Russian disinformation made its way into a dossier of opposition research that the FBI relied on when obtaining warrants to eavesdrop on a former Trump campaign adviser. SENT: 710 words, photo.
TRUMP-MERCURY ROLLBACK — The Trump administration is gutting an Obama-era rule that compelled coal plants to cut back emissions of mercury and other human health hazards. SENT:
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ISRAEL-POLITICS — Israel’s president has asked the Knesset to choose a new prime minister, giving parliament three weeks to agree upon a leader or plunge the country into an unprecedented fourth consecutive election in just over a year. SENT: 830 words, photos.
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KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE — Native American tribes and environmental groups pressured a federal judge to shut down work on the disputed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Nebraska, citing fears workers could spread the coronavirus and construction could damage land.. SENT: 870 words, photos.
INDIANAPOLIS-OFFICER SHOT — An Indianapolis police officer who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call was remembered during her funeral as a dedicated, compassionate officer and a devoted young mother, with a police chaplain calling her “a beautiful flower that was picked way too soon.” SENT: 580 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — The record-setting flood of layoffs unleashed by the viral outbreak is extending beyond the services industries that bore the initial brunt and are still suffering most. White collar employees, ranging from software programmers and legal assistants to sales associates and some health care workers, are absorbing layoffs or salary cuts. So are workers in other occupations, like construction and real estate. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMIC IMPACT CHECKS — Americans are beginning to see the first economic impact payments hit their bank accounts. The Treasury Department says about 80 million Americans received checks as of Wednesday. SENT: 830 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF — The government’s paycheck protection loan program for small businesses is on hold. The Small Business Administration says it has reached the $349 billion lending limit for the program. SENT: 760 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Even in this new stay-at-home, increasingly jobless economy, some businesses are making out as clear winners, and gains for Amazon, health care companies and stocks in other pockets of the market helped prop up Wall Street.. SENT: 810 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT — Airline traffic fell to levels last seen before the jet era weeks ago. It’s gotten worse. United Airlines says it will be at about 10% capacity for the next two months. CEO Oscar Munoz said in a letter to employees that the airline expects to fly fewer people during the entire month of May than it did on a single day in May 2019. And economic data has begun to reveal the depths of a potential economic crisis. Home construction collapsed last month. A growing number of construction sites are being abandoned, reminiscent of the housing crisis a decade ago. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.
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OBIT-BRIAN-DENNEHY — Brian Dennehy, the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and Arthur Miller, has died. He was 81. SENT: 980 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS — It’s not just A-list stars providing entertainment on social media. Musicians whose names are likely known to just local audiences are turning to livestreaming shows from living rooms and basements amid the coronavirus shutdown. By Brendan Farrington. SENT: 800 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAZZ MUSICIANS FUND — Louis Armstrong org starts COVID-19 fund for jazz musicians. SENT: 240 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE SINGING SURGEON — Elvis Francois, the orthopedic surgery resident who has gone viral with his top-notch live performances at hospitals, knew from adolescence he wanted to help heal the world through medicine. SENT: 800 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-ATHLETES ON FRONT LINES — They are athletes on the front lines of a pandemic. And COVID-19 is stirring competitive fires the way games once did. These doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners tell the AP that approaching the coronavirus like an opponent makes complete sense to them. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 970 words, photos.
FBN—DRAFT-WORKING IT — NFL prospects had been meeting coaches and checking team facilities until COVID-19 upended the all activities leading to next week’s draft. Players and teams must now make do with virtual visits. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-POSTCARD FROM CALIFORNIA - Summer in California won’t look the same. The governor has outlined a road map for easing coronavirus restrictions that would lead to empty stadiums, amusement parks and most beaches. Any broad reopening would depend on a vaccine that could be more than a year away. By Brian Melley and Amy Taxin. SENT: 820 words, photos.
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