AP News Digest 6:15 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 4 years, 8 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.
———————————————
NEW & DEVELOPING
———————————————
Adds: ELECTION 2020-MILITARY, ELECTION 2020-RNC-MEDIA, ELECTION 2020-CARTER CENTER, TRUMP-PARDON, PONZI SCHEME, BLM PROTEST-POLICE OVERTIME BILL.
-----------------—
ONLY ON AP
-----------------—
SMALL BUSINESS STRUGGLES-ANN ARBOR — Small business owners in college towns across the U.S. are hoping for the best when students return — and bracing for the worst. That includes the owners of the bars, restaurants and other retailers near the University of Michigan, which have been hit hard financially since the COVID-19 pandemic sent tens of thousands of their customers back home in mid-March. By Larry Lage. SENT: 1,350 words, photos, video, graphic.
BRAZIL-RAINFOREST — In May, facing urgent international demands for action after a string of massive wildfires in the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro put the army in charge of protecting the rainforest. Instead, the AP has found, the operation has had the opposite effect. Under military command, Brazil’s once-effective but recently declining investigation and prosecution of rainforest destruction by ranchers, farmers and miners has come to a virtual halt, even as this year’s burning season picks up. By Mauricio Savarese. SENT: 1,820 words, photos. An abridged version of 980 words is available.
-------------------
-------------------
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-PUBLIC-HEALTH-CREDIBILITY — The credibility of two of the nation’s leading public health agencies is under fire this week after controversial decisions that outside experts say smack of political pressure from President Donald Trump as he attempts to move past the devastating toll of the coronavirus ahead of the November election. By Matthew Perrone and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP — Fresh off accepting the Republican Party’s nomination, President Trump looks to spread fears of a Joe Biden victory to swing state voters. His rally in New Hampshire on Friday evening comes as he continues to flout coronavirus guidelines and maintain an aggressive travel schedule. By Zeke Miller and Kevin Freking. SENT: 400 words, photos. UPCOMING: 800 words after 6 p.m. rally. WITH: ELECTION 2020-BIDEN — Joe Biden plans to take his presidential campaign to battleground states after Labor Day. His travels will highlight contrasts with President Trump, including on how the two men are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. By Bill Barrow and Will Weissert. SENT: 780 words, photos; ELECTION 2020-RNC-MEDIA — Joe Biden’s acceptance speech at the Democratic convention drew 24.6 million viewers, edging President Trump, who had 23.8 million at the GOP convention, Nielsen says. Democrats saw higher ratings than Republicans on three of the four convention nights. By David Bauder. SENT: 100 words, photos. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 7 p.m.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-CORONAVIRUS — Public health officials express concern over President Donald Trump’s largely mask-free, socially un-distanced Republican convention event on the White House lawn, fearing that some of the approximately 1,500 people who attended may have brought the coronavirus with them and inadvertently spread it to others. By Darlene Superville and Deb Riechmann. SENT: 760 words, photos.
Find more coverage of the conventions and Election 2020 on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
POLICE-SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-PROTEST-VICTIMS — The two men killed and a third wounded in Kenosha all directly engaged with the accused 17-year-old gunman. SENT: 700 words, photos. With: POLICE-SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — A judge has agreed to delay for a month a decision on whether a 17-year-old from Illinois should be returned to Wisconsin, where he faces charges of fatally shooting two protesters and wounding a third. By Stephen Groves and Scott Bauer. SENT: 1,200 words, photos. With: POLICE-SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-BLACK-OUTRAGE SENT: 860 words, photos.
TROPICAL-WEATHER — Hundreds of thousands of people across Louisiana are still without power or water a day after Hurricane Laura sawed a devastating path through the state. The hurricane’s remnants are carrying tropical rain and wind across Tennessee. By Melinda Deslatte and Stacey Plaisance. SENT: 1,200 words, photos, videos. With TROPICAL-WEATHER-THE-LATEST.
Find more coverage of Hurricane Laura in AP Newsroom.
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-MARCH-ON-WASHINGTON — Capping a week of protests and outrage over the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin, civil rights advocates will highlight the scourge of police and vigilante violence against Black Americans at a commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. By Aaron Morrison and Kat Stafford. SENT: 800 words, photos. Developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-KATRINA-NEW ORLEANS — As the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall approaches, New Orleans’ Black community is again being pummeled by disaster. This time it’s the coronavirus pandemic. By REBECCA SANTANA. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
------------------------------------------------------
MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
-------------------------------------------------------
VIRUS OUTBREAK — As more and more schools and businesses around the country get the OK to reopen, some college towns are moving in the opposite direction because of too much partying and too many COVID-19 infections among students. SENT: 600 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ECUADOR-FLOWER-FIASCO— Flower growers in Ecuador are trimming back their fields, cutting plants at the root and in some cases tossing out piles of colorful blooms entirely as the pandemic delivers a devastating blow to one of the nation’s biggest export industries. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — The British government is encouraging workers to return to their offices amid concern that the number of people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic is hurting coffee bars and restaurants and turning city centers into “ghost towns.” SENT: 650 words, photos. With: VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN-EMERGENCY-VACCINE-USE — Britain is preparing to revise its laws to allow the emergency use of any effective coronavirus vaccine before it is fully licensed but only if the shots meet required safety and quality standards. SENT: 400 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-DIARY-NO-SHARING-BAKING — While many have found their inner star baker during the pandemic, it’s been the opposite for a reporter who finds she can have her cake but others can’t eat it too. SENT: 650 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GAZA-LOCKDOWN — A virus lockdown has compounded the suffering of residents of the Gaza Strip, many already struggling to get by amid a crippling blockade. A standoff between Israel and Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers forced the only power plant to shut down earlier this month, leaving Gazans with just four hours of electricity a day. SENT: 860 words, photos. With ISRAEL-GAZA — Israel strikes Gaza after Palestinian militants fire rockets.
Find more all-format coverage of the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
————————————————————-
————————————————————-
RACIAL INJUSTICE-CONGRESS — The nation is once again at a crossroads over racial inequity, commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” yet torn apart by the Black Lives Matter protests against the law enforcement shooting of another Black man, this time in Wisconsin. In recent weeks, several leading Black lawmakers reflected on their experiences then, and now, as Congress debated legislation to overhaul law enforcement procedures. By Lisa Mascaro and Padmananda Rama. SENT: 900 words, photos, video. (block text)
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-MINNEAPOLIS-UNREST — After a Black man fatally shot himself on a pedestrian plaza in downtown Minneapolis, rumors of another police shooting in the city still reeling from the death of George Floyd began spreading quickly on social media, sending concerned residents and activists to the area — many of them anxious and some of them misinformed. SENT: 940 words, photos. With PORTLAND-PROTESTS — Dozens face federal charges from Portland protests; RACIAL-INJUSTICE-CALIFORNIA-PROTESTS — Protesters hit California streets over Wisconsin shooting.
--------------------------------------------
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
------------------------------------------—
BLM PROTEST-POLICE OVERTIME BILL — A teen who organized a Black Lives Matter rally in her New Jersey town says she has been sent a $2,500 bill for police overtime. SENT: 360 words, photos.
BRANDED-WOMEN — Prosecutors: Self-help guru calls sex slave scheme “noble.” SENT: 400 words.
PONZI SCHEME — Three Maryland men presenting themselves as pastors targeted church members and other investors in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded victims out of more than $28 million, according to a federal indictment. SENT: 490 words.
TURKEY-HUNGER STRIKE — Turkish lawyer dies on hunger strike demanding fair trial. SENT: 500 words.
MISSING GIRL-TENNESSEE — Teen mother pleads not guilty to murder in death of toddler. SENT: 200 words.
ABRAHAM-LINCOLN'S-HAIR-AUCTION — Lock of Lincoln’s hair and bloodied telegram up for auction. SENT: 600 words, photos.
NORWAY-POLAR BEAR ATTACK — Man killed by polar bear on Norway’s Arctic Svalbard islands. SENT: 360 words, photos.
------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
ELECTION 2020-AMERICAN CITIES — Speakers at the Republican National Convention portrayed American cities like Portland, New York and Chicago as lawless liberal wastelands that have been overrun with violence, looting and destruction that is forcing residents to flee for safer locales. The reality on the ground isn’t quite that simple. By Michelle R. Smith and Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-CONGRESS — As the nation commemorates the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Black lawmakers reflect on their experiences then and now. By Lisa Mascaro and Padmananda Rama. SENT: 920 words, photos, video.
CONGRESS-POMPEO — The House Foreign Affairs Committee moves to hold Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in contempt after he has repeatedly rejected the committee’s subpoenas for records related to Ukraine that the department has turned over to the Republican-led Senate. By Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 610 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-RNC-WATCHING THE RNC — Not only have political conventions gone virtual, so too has much of the discourse among politically inclined Americans during the coronavirus outbreak. Organized watch parties have been few, and today’s political chatter is now mostly confined online. By Bobby Caina Calvin, Meg Kinnard and Mohamed Ibrahim. SENT: 770 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-MILITARY — The top U.S. military officer tells Congress that the U.S. armed forces will have no role in carrying out the election process or resolving a disputed vote. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 870 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-CARTER CENTER — The Carter Center, an organization founded by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, launches an initiative meant to strengthen and build confidence in the U.S. election system. By Ashley Thomas. SENT: 410 words, photo.
TRUMP-PARDON — President Trump pardons Alice Marie Johnson, who had spent more than two decades serving life without parole for a nonviolent drug offense. SENT: 300 words, photo.
UNITED STATES-IRAQ — The United States plans to reduce its military force in Iraq from the current 5,200 to about 3,500 by November, U.S. officials said. The cut would be in line with President Donald Trump’s repeated call to bring troops home and his reelection campaign pledge to end what he calls “endless wars.” By Robert Burns. SENT: 500 words, photo.
-------------—
-------------—
CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES — California wildfires are slowly being corralled as cooler, humid weather and reinforcements help firefighters. Two of the largest fires in state history are both 35% contained. SENT: 500 words, photos.
FEDERAL EXECUTIONS — A man who killed a Kansas girl more than two decades ago has been executed in Indiana, the fifth federal inmate put to death this year and second this week. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
-----------------------
--------------------—
JAPAN-ABE — Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, says he intends to step down because a chronic health problem has resurfaced. He told reporters that it was “gut wrenching” to leave so many of his goals unfinished. By Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 830 words, photos. With JAPAN-ABE-TIMELINE. With: JAPAN-ABE-REACTION World leaders are wishing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a rapid recovery and praising his contributions to bilateral relations during his years as Japan’s longest-serving leader. SENT: 500 words, photo.
PAKISTAN-RAINS — Officials say heavy rains hit parts of Pakistan including the financial capital Karachi for a fifth straight night bringing more flooding to towns and villages and leaving at least 36 people dead. SENT: 300 words, photos.
RUSSIA-NAVY-DRILLS — The Russian navy conducted major war games near Alaska involving dozens of ships and aircraft, the military said, the biggest such drills in the area since Soviet times. SENT: 430 words, photos.
NIGER-FLOODS — Officials in Niger say flooding from heavy rains has killed at least 45 people this week and forced more than 226,000 from their homes. SENT: 250 words.
LEBANON-HERITAGE LOST — In the streets of two Beirut historic neighborhoods, workers are erecting scaffolding to support buildings that have stood for more than a century - now at risk of collapse after the massive Aug. 4 explosion that tore through the capital. SENT: 800 words, photo.
RUSSIA-NAVALNY — Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is still in an induced coma from a suspected poisoning but his condition is stable and his symptoms are improving, the German doctors treating him said. SENT: 800 words.
EUROPE-BELARUS — The European Union agrees to impose sanctions on up to 20 senior Belarus officials suspected of election fraud and the crackdown on protesters and is likely to put President Alexander Lukashenko on its list at some point, the bloc’s foreign ministers say. SENT: 680 words, photos.
------------—-
------------—-
CONSUMER SPENDING — U.S. consumers increased their spending by 1.9% last month, a dose of support for an economy struggling to emerge from the grip of a pandemic that has held back a recovery and kept roughly 27 million people jobless. SENT: 500 words, photo.
--—----—
----------
RACIAL INJUSTICE-NBA — The NBA playoffs will resume Saturday after the league and the National Basketball Players Association detailed the commitments that made players comfortable continuing the postseason. In a joint statement released Friday, the sides say they will immediately establish a social justice coalition, made up of players, coaches and owners, that would focus on issues such as voting access and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. SENT: 770 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing.
BBO--RACIAL INJUSTICE-MLB — Baseball marks Jackie Robinson Day, honoring the man who broke the game’s racial barrier in 1947. The occasion comes at a tumultuous time, with many teams across sports postponing games because of racial injustice. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m.
FBN--NFL PREVIEW — Who knows what to expect in this time of pandemic when the Super Bowl champion Chiefs and Texans open the NFL season Sept. 10, possibly with fans. The league’s top medical officer stresses the need to be “flexible.” What is certain is that Tom Brady is a Buccaneer and Washington is a team in upheaval. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
--------------------------
HOW TO REACH US
--------------------------
At the Nerve Center, Rob Jagodzinski can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, (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.