AP News Digest 2 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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ELECTION 2020-BIDEN ALLEGATIONS — Joe Biden is facing one of his first major challenges since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee as an allegation of sexual assault comes under growing scrutiny. By Alexandra Jaffe. UPCOMING: 880 words by 5 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The coronavirus is sending the U.S. economy into the biggest and fastest collapse since the Great Depression, with output reported shrinking at an alarming rate and the number of Americans thrown out of work estimated at nearly 30 million. By Martin Crutsinger, Mike Corder and Angela Charlton. SENT: 796 words, photos.
MED-VIRUS OUTBREAK-TREATMENT -- For the first time, an experimental drug has proved effective against the new coronavirus in a major study, shortening recovery time for hospitalized patients by four days on average. Officials say the drug remdesivir will become a new standard of care against a disease that has killed more than 218,000 people so far. By Marilynn Marchione. SENT: 748 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINE MISINFORMATION — A coronavirus vaccine is still months or years away, but groups that peddle misinformation about immunizations are already taking aim, potentially eroding confidence in what could be humanity’s best chance to defeat the virus. By David Klepper and Beatrice Dupuy. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says the federal government’s social distancing guidelines will be ``fading out” when they expire Thursday. The administration says the guidance issued 45 days ago has been incorporated into recommendations given to states on how they can begin the process of gradually reopening their economies. By Jill Colvin and Kevin Freking. UPCOMING: 700 words by 5 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AIRCRAFT CARRIER — The Navy will conduct a wider investigation of circumstances surrounding the spread of the coronavirus aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, a move that effectively delays a decision on whether to reinstate the ship’s captain, who was fired after pleading for more urgent protection of his crew. By Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 700 words. UPCOMING: 790 words by 4 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VULNERABLE SUBURBS — Haunting images of an empty Times Square and the daily accounting of hundreds of fatalities in New York City have reinforced the idea of the coronavirus as an urban contagion — but statistics show you may be more likely to have the virus if you live in one of the surrounding suburbs. By David Porter. SENT: 977 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEDICARE — Seniors are at greater risk from COVID-19, and they now face added anxiety due to delays obtaining Medicare coverage. The delays stem from the closure of local Social Security offices to protect workers and the public during the pandemic. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 910 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA-HOTEL QUARANTINE — Covering the Kashmiri conflict, a tsunami in Sri Lanka and the war in Afghanistan didn’t make this photojournalist flinch. Then came a positive test result for COVID-19. Not wanting to risk infecting family, some 40 news photographers based in Mumbai, India, demanded that authorities provide provisions for quarantine. There were hurried hugs and goodbyes. Then a tense check-in, and confinement in a hotel room with daily phone calls from on-duty doctors or nurses inquiring about health. The doorbell meant food. SENT: 685 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-RACE AND REOPENING — Many African Americans watching protests calling for relaxing restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus see them as further evidence of their marginalization: one more example of how their health, their safety and their rights don’t matter. UPCOMING: 850 words by 6 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-HURDLE INSPIRATION -- Clint Hurdle began sending his daily notes of inspiration more than 10 years ago, during his days managing the Colorado Rockies. They were a simple, small way of checking in with everybody on his staff to discuss leadership ideas or offer support. The dozen people would share something good from the week. Hurdle never planned to be such an important voice to friends and acquaintances near and far amid a global pandemic. What used to be group text messages have turned into much more -- every morning, his Daily Encouragement emails go out to some 5,000 eager recipients. SENT: 642 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE AIRWAY EXPERTS — It starts with pulling on head-to-toe protective gear. Then comes a brisk walk down a hospital corridor, triple-gloved hands pushing a rattling anesthesia cart toward a door that leads to a frightened patient, gasping for air. Hundreds of times every week during this pandemic, doctors and nurses treating critically ill COVID-19 patients steel themselves for a procedure that remains anything but routine. SENT: 880 words, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRTUAL FRIENDSHIPS —The world has changed in overwhelming ways in the coronavirus era. The complicated ripple effects have been well documented in terms of family life but less so in terms of friendships. But these relationships, too, were key to people’s previous lives. And they, too, are complicated, especially now that virtually all communication is, well, virtual. The changes can be as simple as learning how to navigate a relationship via FaceTime, or as deep as re-evaluating who our friends are and what we need or expect from them. SENT: 1,061 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LIVES LOST-ITALIAN DOCTOR — The death of Dr. Roberto Stella comes to symbolize the plight of Italy’s family doctors, who were largely left on their own to tend to the first wave of COVID-19 patients at home as hospitals filled up. SENT: 950 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his tweets criticizing a large Jewish funeral. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said daily deaths are down but still “disgustingly high.” Front-line health care workers and first responders will be mass tested for antibodies. SENT: 1,102 words, photos.
GROUND GAME —AP’s coronavirus podcast, “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” today focuses on how Brazil is emerging as potentially the next big hot spot for the COVID-19 pandemic – and how that is making its neighbors nervous. Listen to the podcast after 3 p.m. at https://appodcasts.com/category/ground-game/. Embed code is available on AP Coverage. Plan.
A separate advisory has been sent outlining AP’s complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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BKN--THE LAST DANCE-ELECTRA -- Carmen Electra says watching her former relationship with Dennis Rodman blossom back to life in The Last Dance documentary has helped her appreciate the wild time in her life with him. SENT: 778 words, photos.
INDIA-OBIT-IRRFAN KHAN — Irrfan Khan, of “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Life of Pi”, has died. SENT: 430 words, photos.
BRITAIN-JOHNSON BABY — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds announce the birth of their baby, a son. SENT: 625 words, photos.
ANGIE THOMAS SCHOLARSHIP — A Mississippi teenager with a talent for writing is receiving a full-ride college scholarship named for the author of “The Hate U Give.” SENT: 283 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Reversing course, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he is “open” to considering additional funds for state and local governments in the next coronabirus relief bill as Democrats seek more than $500 billion to cover costs of police, fire and other front-line workers. SENT: 700 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-AMERICA FIRST — “America First” has been a ready applause line for President Donald Trump at his campaign rallies, but now it is also a philosophy being put to a life or death test, with much of the world still looking to the U.S. for leadership and assistance. UPCOMING: 900 words by 4 p.m., photos.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP TRANSITION — President Donald Trump may be all-in on his re-election, but in the coming days he is set to take the first steps to formally prepare his successor should he lose on Nov. 3. Trump is standing up a “coordinating council,” under the Presidential Transition Act. UPCOMING: 800 words by 3 p.m., photos.
ELECTION 2020-AMASH — Michigan Rep. Justin Amash is taking steps toward running for president as a Libertarian, raising the prospect that a third party bid could upend the dynamics of the campaign. UPCOMING: 790 words by 5 p.m., photo.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
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PUERTO RICO MISSING MEALS — Puerto Rico’s government refuses to open school cafeterias amid a coronavirus pandemic as unemployed parents struggle to feed their children in a U.S. territory where 78% of public school students are poor. The island’s Department of Education has instead opted to give all its food to a food bank and nonprofit organizations so they can distribute it to children, but it’s not reaching those most in need. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 6 p.m.
VOTING RIGHTS-KANSAS -- A federal appeals court panel ruled that a Kansas law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is unconstitutional, upholding a judge’s injunction that had banned its use. SENT: 335 words.
NUCLEAR PLANT SHUTDOWN — With the push of a red button, one of the two operating reactors at an aging nuclear plant serving millions of people in the New York City area will shut down Thursday night as federal regulators consider the owner’s proposal to sell it to a company that plans to demolish it. SENT: 585 words, photo.
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NORTH KOREA-KIM’S HEALTH — New rumors about Kim Jong Un pour in daily. The North Korean leader is dead. Or he’s very ill. Or maybe he’s just recuperating in his luxury compound. As speculation about his health builds, an underlying question looms for professional spies, outside policymakers, academics and curious news-consumers alike. SENT: 960 words, photos.
YEMEN-DISAPPEARING WOMEN — Yemeni women are increasingly targeted by the Houthi rebels who rule the country’s north, especially as they grow more politically active. Hundreds of women have vanished into secret prisons where they are tortured and sometimes raped, according to former detainees and other activists. SENT: 1,440 words, photos. An abridged version of 990 words is also available.
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HEALTH & SCIENCE
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NATIONAL PARKS-CELLPHONES VS. SCIENCE — National parks are grappling with how to expand cellphone service while preserving the serenity of nature. While the plans are a lower priority for the National Park Service during the coronavirus pandemic, officials are intent on resolving the connectivity issue as states gradually start lifting restrictions. SENT: 893 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INSURANCE SHOPPING — Mass layoffs are pushing many Americans into an unfamiliar role: shopping for health insurance that isn’t offered by an employer. A swirl of potentially confusing terms and options await inexperienced health insurance shoppers as they sort coverage plans for at least the next couple months. SENT: 865 words, photos.
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FEDERAL RESERVE — The Federal Reserve decides to keep the key rate near zero, pledges to use ‘full range of tools’ to bolster a sinking US economy. UPCOMING: 600 words after statement release at 2 p.m., developing.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Stocks charged higher around the world following an encouraging report on a possible treatment for COVID-19. SENT: 832 words, photos, developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AMAZON — Amazon has spent years honing the business of packing, shipping and delivering millions of products to doorsteps around the world. Now it has a captive audience. With much of the globe in various stages of a lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, the world’s largest online retailer has become a lifeline to many shoppers. But it is also grappling with delivery delays and mounting complaints from workers who worry about contagion while on the job. SENT: 996 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TMZ — Celebrities may be hiding out at home, but they haven’t disappeared. And that’s good news for TMZ. By AP Media Writer David Bauder. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
FILM-THE LOST SUMMER MOVIE SEASON — This summer was supposed to see the return of the Ghostbusters, Maverick, Wonder Woman and the Fast and Furious crew before the coronavirus effectively decimated Hollywood’s most important frame: Blockbuster season. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 850 words, photos.
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NCAA-COMPENSATING ATHLETES -- The NCAA is moving forward with a plan to allow college athletes to earn money for endorsements and a host of other activities involving personal appearances and social media. The NCAA Board of Governors gave its support to a plan that permits athletes to cash in on their names, images and likenesses as never before and without involvement from the association, schools or conferences. Proposed rule changes still must be voted on by NCAA membership at the convention in January. By Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 507 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NHL -The NHL is still working on various scenarios to resume its season. The leading plan involves teams playing out the regular season and going on to the playoffs in a few empty NHL arenas this summer. By Hockey Writers Stephen Whyno and John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 700 words by 3 p.m.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Courtney Dittmar (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Phil Holm (ext. 7636). Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.