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AP News Digest 3:20 a.m.

Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 7 months AGO
| February 15, 2020 12:30 AM

Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

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TOP STORIES

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TRUMP-RUSSIA-MCCABE — Federal prosecutors decline to charge former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, closing an investigation into whether he lied to federal officials about his involvement in a news media disclosure. By Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo. SENT: 1,090 words, photos. With TRUMP-ATTORNEY GENERAL — President Donald Trump ignores his attorney general's public request to stop tweeting about the Justice Department. SENT: 1,330 words, photos.

CHINA-OUTBREAK — China reports 2,641 new virus cases as it escalates measures to contain the outbreak and reassure an anxious public. The figure is a major drop from the higher numbers in recent days since a broader diagnostic method was implemented. The number of new deaths rose slightly to 143, bringing the total fatalities in mainland China to 1,523. The number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 66,492, according to China's National Health Commission. By Yaan Wang. SENT: 980 words, photos. With JAPAN-OUTBREAK-CRUISE-SHIP — US Embassy: Americans aboard quarantined ship to fly home; CHINA-OUTBREAK-AT A GLANCE — New virus has infected more than 67,000 people globally (both sent).

ELECTION 2020-NEVADA — As the Democratic presidential race hurtles toward Nevada, candidates face their first test in a racially diverse state with solid union muscle and shaky plans for a presidential caucus. Nevada has no obvious front-runner, though Bernie Sanders heads into the contest on strong footing. SENT: 1,210 words, photos. By Michelle L. Price. With ELECTION 2020-KLOBUCHAR — Amy Klobuchar says she no longer believes English should be the national language of the U.S. SENT: 1,230 words, photos.

Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.

UNITED STATES-AFGHANISTAN — President Donald Trump's national security adviser said Tuesday he is cautiously optimistic that there could be a U.S. agreement with the Taliban over the next days or weeks, but a withdrawal of American forces is not “imminent. By Deb Riechmann. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.

ASIA-JITTERY WORSHIPERS — In a popular Catholic church in the Philippines, nearly half of the pews were empty for Sunday Mass. The few hundred worshippers who showed up were asked to refrain from shaking others' hands or holding them during prayers to prevent the spread of the virus that started in China. By Jim Gomez. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.

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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

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TRUMP-ATTORNEY GENERAL-INVESTIGATOR — The U.S. attorney assisting in the Justice Department's review of the criminal case of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is an ex-FBI agent with a long background in battling white-collar crime. SENT: 730 words.

PERSIAN GULF-TENSIONS-FLIGHTS — FAA allows US civilian flights to resume over Persian Gulf. SENT: 300 words, photo.

RESTAURANT SHOOTING-REAL HOUSEWIVES — 3 shot at eatery owned by Kandi Burruss of ‘Real Housewives.’ SENT: 220 words, photos.

MISSISSIPPI SHOOTINGS — Trial beginning for Mississippi man charged in killing of 8. SENT: 230 words, photo.

PUPPY HANGED-TEXAS — Texas man accused of hanging puppy tells deputies he was “acting out of boredom.” SENT: 130 words, photo.

KOBE BRYANT MEMORIAL — The Los Angeles Lakers announce that fans seeking to attend the Feb. 24 memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, at Staples Center must register to purchase tickets and there will be no outside overflow areas. SENT: 410 words, photos.

ELECTION 2020-SANDERS-RUSSIA PRANK — Russian pranksters claim they called Bernie Sanders pretending to be climate activist Greta Thunberg and offered Thunberg's support to his presidential campaign. SENT: 620 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION 2020-KLOBUCHAR — Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar says she no longer believes English should be the national language of the U.S. The Minnesota senator is disavowing a vote she took more than a decade ago as she tries to build support in a state where Hispanics make a key constituency. By Sara Burnett and Michelle L. Price. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. WITH: ELECTION 2020-MEXICAN PRESIDENT — Klobuchar and Tom Steyer are stumped when asked to name the Mexican president. SENT: 200 words, photos.

TRUMP-DAYTONA — President Donald Trump will look to rev up his appeal with a key voting demographic Sunday — NASCAR fans — as he takes in the Daytona 500. NASCAR drivers may drive toward the left on the oval racetrack, but their fans lean right. SENT: 600 words, photo.

VOTING-LAW-DELAY-KANSAS — Kansas and national Democratic Party groups sue the Republican official who oversees the state's elections, accusing him of violating voters' rights by delaying the implementation of a law designed to make voting on Election Day more convenient. By Political Writer John Hanna. SENT: 500 words, photos.

UNITED STATES-ARMS CONTROL — Trump administration officials say no decision has been made about whether to extend the last remaining treaty that constrains U.S. and Russian nuclear forces because they want more time to coax China into a three-way arms control pact. SENT: 320 words, photo.

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INTERNATIONAL

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SYRIA — A military offensive on an opposition-controlled region of northwestern Syria has created one of the worst catastrophes for civilians in the country's long-running war, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing, many of them sleeping in open fields and under trees in freezing temperatures. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.

INDONESIA-HELICOPTER CRASH — Rebels in Indonesia's Papua province said Saturday they had seized weapons and ammunition from a military helicopter that crashed eight months ago in jungle-covered mountains. SENT: 330 words.

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NATIONAL

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MICHIGAN-STATE-SEXUAL-ASSAULT-FALLOUT — A former Michigan State University gymnastics coach was convicted on charges that she lied to police when she denied that two teen athletes told her of sexual abuse by sports doctor Larry Nassar in 1997. It's the latest fallout from the scandal that has rocked the school. SENT: 1,230 words, photo.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-PARKLAND WIDOW — Debbi Hixon was a bundle of nerves waiting to see how “Military Makeovers” transformed her home. She wasn't concerned about the new kitchen counters or paint colors; the Parkland shooting widow was worried the fancy new decor would wipe away memories of her husband, who was among the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. “He's still part of our family and I didn't want it to feel like he's not here anymore,” she told the AP. SENT: 950 words, photos.

OVERTURNED CARGO SHIP-GEORGIA — A maritime salvage company is asking a federal judge to stop the Coast Guard and a rival firm from carrying out their plans to remove a cargo ship that overturned five months ago on the Georgia coast. SENT: 500 words, photo.

TROPHY HUNTING-CONVENTION — A trophy-hunting group says it has launched an ethics investigation following the release of undercover video showing vendors at its recent convention promoting trips to shoot captive-bred lions in Africa. SENT: 590 words, photos.

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SPORTS

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ALL-STAR-RISING-STARS — Miles Bridges soared like his boss in Chicago. Zion Williamson delivered his share of punishing dunks, even damaging the rim. It all added up to a high-flying start to the All-Star weekend. Bridges scored 20 points and took MVP honors, Eric Paschall added 23 more and the U.S. beat the World 151-131 in the Rising Stars Challenge. By Sports Writer Andrew Seligman. SENT: 590 words, photos. With ALL-STAR-CELEBRITY GAME — Common named MVP, Team Wilbon wins All-Star Celebrity Game (sent).

HKN—VIRUS-STICK SHORTAGE CONCERNS — The coronavirus epidemic in China is raising concerns about a potential shortage of hockey sticks. Two manufacturers of sticks for top hockey players have had production affected by the outbreak. NHL players are beginning to make preparations in case supplies dry up. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 1,100 words, photos by 4 a.m.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Vincent K. Willis 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.