Indiana News Digest

Here's a look at AP's Indiana news coverage is shaping up today. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Indianapolis bureau at 317-639-5501, 800-382-1582 or [email protected]. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern.

Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORY:

STATE OF STATE-INDIANA

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gives the annual State of the State speech Tuesday night to state legislators. The speech comes as Holcomb has held off taking action to boost school funding following a Statehouse rally that drew several thousand teachers in November. By Tom Davies. UPCOMING: 600 words, more on merits, photos. Speech scheduled for 7 p.m.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:

ELECTION 2020-BUTTIGIEG-IOWA

DES MOINES, Iowa — Quentin Hart, the black mayor of Iowa's most racially diverse city, is backing Pete Buttigieg for president, giving the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor a rare boost from a minority leader as he struggles to attract voters of color. By Thomas Beaumont. SENT: 470 words, photo.

ELECTION 2020-DEBATE

DES MOINES, Iowa — An unusually heated clash of rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination could be the hallmark of Tuesday night’s televised debate in Iowa. Just six candidates are gathering in Des Moines, the smallest number yet on a debate stage. That dynamic will offer candidates more opportunities to criticize each other’s proposals as well as tout their own. By Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 890 words. Developing from 9 p.m. debate, with continuing updates, photos, video.

AROUND THE STATE:

INDIANA COUNCILMAN-ISLAM

KOKOMO, Ind. — An Indiana city council member who made disparaging comments about Muslims on social media in 2015, years before he was elected, said he regrets posting those remarks and did so at a time when he “didn’t understand what Islam actually was.” UPCOMING: 300 words.

GARY POLICE OFFICERS WOUNDED

GARY, Ind. — A man who shot and wounded two police officers at a northwestern Indiana apartment complex before being fatally shot by police was a suspect in the strangulation death of a woman he had been dating, police said Tuesday. The Lake County Coroner’s office identified the man killed in Gary Monday night as Keenan McCain, 29, of Merrillville. SENT: 240 words.

SPORTS:

CAR--INDYCAR-GANASSI-NEW SPONSOR

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A hot chocolate company led by Hollywood stuntman and occasional racer Stanton Barrett has signed as primary sponsor for Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson at Chip Ganassi Racing. This is the first entry into IndyCar for Huski Chocolate, a company headquartered in Stockholm that already does business in Formula One with McLaren and with the English soccer club Millwall. By Jenna Fryer. SENT: 500 words.

BKL--WNBA-CBA

NEW YORK — The WNBA and its union announced a tentative eight-year labor deal Tuesday that will allow top players to earn more than $500,000 while the average annual compensation will surpass six figures for the first time. The contract, which begins this season and runs through 2027, will pay players an average of $130,000 and guarantees full salaries while on maternity leave. The collective bargaining agreement also provides enhanced family benefits, travel standards and other health and wellness improvements. By Doug Feinberg. SENT: 940 words.

Also:

— BKC--BALL STATE-EASTERN MICHIGAN. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merit.

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