Deep South News Digest Advisory

Good evening! Here’s a look at how AP’s news coverage is shaping up today in the Deep South. Questions about today's coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to:

The Atlanta AP Bureau at 404-522-8971 or [email protected]

The Columbia AP Bureau at 803-799-5510 or [email protected]

The Montgomery AP Bureau at 334-262-5947 or [email protected]

The New Orleans AP Bureau at 504-523-3931 or [email protected]

The Jackson AP Bureau at 601-948-5897 or [email protected]

For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

Deep South Editor Jim Van Anglen can be reached at 1-800-821-3737 or [email protected]. Administrative Correspondent Rebecca Santana can be reached at 504-523-3931 or [email protected]. A reminder: this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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 and digests will keep you up to date.

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

GEORGIA (All times Eastern)

TOP STORIES:

XGR—GEORGIA SENATE-ELECTION LAW

ATLANTA — Georgia's top elections official is seeking a last-minute change to state law to ensure he's authorized to set the deadline for candidates to sign up to challenge newly appointed Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler in the November election. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger wants to hold candidate qualifying for Loeffler's Senate seat during the first week of March, spokesman Walter Jones said Wednesday. That's the same window that candidates in other 2020 Georgia races must officially declare to get on the ballot. By Russ Bynum and Ben Nadler. SENT: 827 words.

AP Photos transref:GAATJ102, transref:GAATJ501.

XGR—HEMP FARMING

ATLANTA — Georgia’s hemp farming program is effectively on hold until the state secures funding to oversee the crop. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said Tuesday that he’ll ask lawmakers for $1.6 million over the next two years to fund a state hemp program, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The oversight program is required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before state hemp regulations can be approved. SENT: 239 words.

XGR—DUAL ENROLLMENT CAPS

ATLANTA — Trying to hold down the growing cost of a program that pays for Georgia high school students to take college courses, lawmakers are considering limits on what students can enroll and what courses they can take. Gov. Brian Kemp and a number of lawmakers have been raising concerns about Georgia's dual enrollment program, and administration allies on Wednesday unveiled an overhauled bill that would limit most students to 30 hours of college credit, what a student would have to take to reach college sophomore status. By Jeff Amy. SENT: 646 words.

IN BRIEF:

— BABY BELUGA-GEORGIA AQUARIUM — The Georgia Aquarium has announced that one of its beluga whales is a mother-to-be.

— TEACHER-BATTERY — Georgia teacher accused of grabbing, shoving young students.

— INNOVATION TASK FORCE — Georgia's lieutenant governor has recruited some top-drawer names in his quest to “make Georgia the technology capital of the East Coast."

IN SPORTS:

BKC--TENNESSEE-GEORGIA

ATHENS, Ga. — After three straight games against ranked teams, Georgia hosts Tennessee at Stegeman Coliseum. The Volunteers are going for their third straight win. By Paul Newberry. UPCOMING: 650 words. Game starts at 7 p.m. EST.

BKC--NOTRE DAME-GEORGIA TECH

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech will look for its first home win in ACC play when it plays Notre Dame on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets are 3-1 on the road in the ACC but 0-2 at home. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 8:30 p.m.

BBC—AUBURN-HUDSON

AUBURN, Ala. — Former major league pitcher Tim Hudson is Auburn's new pitching coach. Auburn announced Wednesday that Hudson will be a volunteer assistant and pitching coach for the program, where he once starred as a two-way player.

FBC—GA TECH-FUTURE OPPONENTS

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech has scheduled games against a perennial college football powerhouse and a school less than 2 miles away. The Yellow Jackets announced Wednesday they will face 11-time Associated Press national champion Alabama in a home-and-home series in 2030 and '31. Bitter rivals when Georgia Tech was a member of the Southeastern Conference, the teams have met 52 times — most recently in 1984.

AP Photos transref:ALDEC201, transref:AZRS109, transref:FLJR112, transref:AZRS111, transref:FLJR119.

SOUTH CAROLINA (All times Eastern)

TOP STORIES:

ELECTION 2020-SENATE-SOUTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina Democrats seek to unseat U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, their party unity got a boost Wednesday when one of their candidates dropped out to support the campaign of a former state party chairman. In a news conference at the Statehouse in Columbia, Gloria Bromell Tinubu announced that she would suspend her campaign and back Democratic National Committee associate chairman and former state party chairman Jaime Harrison in his effort to unseat the three-term Republican. Bromell Tinubu, an economist who has previously sought other offices including South Carolina's 7th Congressional District, said in a release that Harrison “has the decency and character to be the kind of Senator we need at this critical time.” By Meg Kinnard. SENT: 295 words.

AP Photos transref:SCMK101, transref:SCMK103.

XGR-SOUTH CAROLINA-ABORTION

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Supporters of a bill that would ban almost all abortions in South Carolina want some leaders in the South Carolina Senate to know they won't let the proposal quietly die. Hundreds of them packed a Statehouse lobby Wednesday to call for a vote on the bill whose only likely obstacle to becoming law is passing a two-thirds procedural vote in the Senate. There are enough Democrats and Republicans from less conservative districts to keep blocking the bill. By Jeffrey Collins. SENT: 525 words.

AP Photos transref:RPJC101, transref:RPJC102, transref:RPJC103, transref:RPJC104.

XGR-EDUCATION OVERHAUL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senators started their debate on a massive public education overhaul bill Wednesday with a lengthy explanation of what all is in the bill. Senate Education Committee Chairman Greg Hembree promised to take as much time as needed to explain all 59 sections of the bill and answer questions. He spoke about two hours and plans to be back Thursday. SENT: 220 words.

CHRISTMAS PARTY SHOOTING

LEXINGTON, S.C. — A man who fatally shot another man at a company Christmas party won't face criminal charges because he acted in self-defense, authorities in South Carolina said Wednesday. Lexington police told news outlets that no charges will be filed against Glenn Wilbur Rowe Jr., 46, in the death of Wesley Warren-Camp, 26. SENT: 299 words.

ELDERLY BANK ROBBER

GREENVILLE, S.C. — An 86-year-old South Carolina man robbed a bank at gunpoint, fired his weapon inside the building and shot into an occupied car as he fled in his truck, police said. He was caught about a mile away. Gilbert Ware, dressed in a ski mask and white gloves, entered a Bank of America branch about 9:30 a.m. Monday in the city of Greenville, n ews outlets quoted police as saying. SENT: 191 words.

NUKE REPOSITORY-LARGE SHIPMENT — The U.S. government's only underground nuclear waste repository has taken in its first large shipment in six years, following a process that involved recertification and retraining of workers. The shipment using a special large cask came from the Savannah River Site in South Carolina and included contaminated glove boxes and other large-scale analytical equipment. Officials say the large casks are 14 feet long and weigh about 50,000 pounds. That's more than double the weight of the containers that typically are used to ship waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southeastern New Mexico. SENT: 225 words.

IN BRIEF:

— XGR-OFFSHORE DRILLING BAN — A small group of South Carolina senators wasted no time in passing a bill that would likely halt drilling for oil or natural gas off the state's coast.

IN SPORTS:

BKW—T25-SOUTH CAROLINA-UPCOMING HURDLES

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina point guard Tyasha Harris didn't do a much celebrating when the Gamecocks ascended to the top of the rankings this week. She understands how tenuous it can be trying to hold onto the top. “It feels good, but we're going to stay level headed and humble about it and just continue what we've been doing," said Harris, one of only two Gamecocks on the roster from the 2017 NCAA Tournament champions. By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 689 words.

AP Photos transref:SCSR103, transref:SCSR107, transref:TNMH109, transref:ALVH103, transref:SCSR115.

BKC--T25-KENTUCKY-SOUTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 10 Kentucky looks to start 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play when it takes on South Carolina on Saturday night. By Pete Iacobelli. UPCOMING, from 6:30 p.m. start.

CLEMSON-NFL DRAFT-HIGGINS

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson's leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, Tee Higgins, is forgoing his final college season to enter the NFL draft. Higgins announced his decision Wednesday on social media. SENT: 186 words.

AP Photos transref:CFP170, transref:CFP168.

ALABAMA (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

CHILDREN CAGED

OPELIKA, Ala. — A southeast Alabama mother, grandmother and grandfather accused of locking children in wooden cages have been arrested, a sheriff said Wednesday. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones announced the arrests of Pamela Deloris Bond, 66; James H. Bond, 69; and Kylla Michelle Mann, 30, AL.com reported. All three live in Smiths Station. SENT: 220 words.

IN BRIEF:

— AIRPORT STUDY — Federal Aviation Administration data shows 2018 was the busiest year on record for Alabama's largest airport.

IN SPORTS:

BBC—AUBURN-HUDSON

AUBURN, Ala. — Former major league pitcher Tim Hudson is Auburn's new pitching coach. Auburn announced Wednesday that Hudson will be a volunteer assistant and pitching coach for the program, where he once starred as a two-way player. SENT: 147 words.

BKC--T25-AUBURN-ALABAMA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Unbeaten and fourth-ranked Auburn visits rival Alabama, which is coming off a loss to No. 10 Kentucky. By John Zenor. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 8 p.m. CT.

FBC—GA TECH-FUTURE OPPONENTS

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech has scheduled games against a perennial college football powerhouse and a school less than 2 miles away. The Yellow Jackets announced Wednesday they will face 11-time Associated Press national champion Alabama in a home-and-home series in 2030 and '31. Bitter rivals when Georgia Tech was a member of the Southeastern Conference, the teams have met 52 times — most recently in 1984. SENT: 265 words.

AP Photos transref:ALDEC201, transref:AZRS109, transref:FLJR112, transref:AZRS111, transref:FLJR119.

LOUISIANA (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

FORMOSA PLASTICS-LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS — Conservation and community groups sued the Trump administration Wednesday, challenging environmental permits for a Taiwan company's planned $9.4 billion plastics complex in Louisiana. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington accuses the Army Corps of Engineers of failing to disclose environmental damage and public health risks, and of failing to adequately consider environmental damage from the Formosa Plastics plant. By Janet McConnaughey. SENT: 732 words.

IN BRIEF:

— STORM DEATH-FUNERAL — Family members of a Louisiana man who was killed in severe storms that swept through the state over the weekend said funeral services will be held Saturday.

— SEVERE STORMS-LOUISIANA — The severe weather that swept through Louisiana over the weekend has claimed another life.

— FATAL TRAILER FIRE — A trailer home fire has killed a 12-year-old girl and hospitalized her 11-year-old brother, their mother and another adult, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office said Wednesday.

— LOUISIANA TAX FILING — Louisiana personal income taxpayers can start filing their 2019 state tax returns on Jan. 27, the same day the IRS begins accepting federal income tax filings.

— SASOL-EXPLOSION — Loud boom linked to chemical plant in Louisiana.

— LOUISIANA-MONROE PRESIDENT — A Louisiana university president says he will retire June 15.

IN SPORTS:

FBN—SAINTS-GLEASON HONORED

WASHINGTON — Former NFL player Steve Gleason has received the Congressional Gold Medal — the highest civilan honor bestowed by Congress — for his work as an advocate for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. “This award represents the people of the United States of America and is a sublime honor for me,” Gleason, who no longer can speak on his own, said through a computer-generated voice. “It represents some joy, some encouragement and some triumphs for the tens of thousands of families living with ALS and others living with disabilities or experiencing anguish, tragedy or adversity.” SENT: 474 words.

AP Photos transref:DCMC107, transref:DCMC110, transref:DCMC107, transref:DCSW115, transref:DCMC111, transref:DCMC110, transref:DCMC108, transref:DCJC111, transref:DCMC109, transref:DCJL116, transref:DCMC109.

BKN—PELICANS-WILLIAMSON

METAIRIE, La. — Zion Williamson, the top choice in last summer’s NBA draft, is scheduled to make his regular season debut for the Pelicans on Jan. 22 when New Orleans hosts the the San Antonio Spurs, Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin said Wednesday. “Everything's moving in the right direction,” Griffin said. “I really believe very strongly he is a radically improved physical version of himself in way that frankly we took the extra time to ensure.” By Brett Martel. SENT: 391 words.

AP Photos transref:LAMH101, transref:BXG104, transref:LAMH102, transref:MICO115, transref:MICO102.

BKN—NBA PROSPECTS-INJURIES

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When college stars like Cole Anthony are injured, they are faced with the question of whether they should they return or just sit out the season to protect their looming draft prospects. Like Anthony, who has said he plans to return to action with North Carolina, most want to return to the basketball court, which has proven to be a good option — provided they’re healthy. Look no further than last year, when Zion Williamson returned to Duke's lineup after a freak injury and went on to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. By Aaron Beard. SENT: 1,037 words.

AP Photos transref:NCGB10, transref:VASH102, transref:SC101, transref:NYSB783, transref:GAJA120, transref:INDC214, transref:NYKW129.

MISSISSIPPI (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

MISSISSIPPI DAM

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Authorities worked to lower the level of a rain-swollen lake in rural north Mississippi on Wednesday, hoping to avoid the failure of a dam amid forecasts of more rain. An inspection of the earthen dam in Oktibbeha County on Tuesday led to warnings that it was in danger of failing and recommendations that area residents evacuate. Rain remained a possibility in the area through Saturday, according to updated weather forecasts. By Jay Reeves. SENT: 882 words.

AP Photos transref:MSRS101, transref:MSRS103, transref:MSRS104, transref:MSRS102, transref:MSSTK101.

AP Video

PRISON UNREST-MISSISSIPPI

JACKSON, Miss. — More than two dozen Mississippi inmates sued the state Tuesday, saying understaffed prisons are “plagued by violence” and inmates are forced to live in decrepit and dangerous conditions. The federal lawsuit follows an outbreak of violence that killed five inmates and left an undisclosed number of others injured between Dec. 29 and Jan. 3. By Emily Wagster Pettus. SENT: 609 words.

AP Photos transref:NYHK203, transref:MSRS109, transref:MSRS108.

LANDFILL DECISION

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi’s Department of Environmental Quality has denied a permit request that would have placed a third landfill inside a county where the project faces opposition. The permit board voted 5-2 on Tuesday against NCL Waste's request to establish a new trash dumping site in Madison County. If this latest landfill had been approved, Madison County would have had the most landfills of any county in Mississippi, news outlets reported. The board said it won't consider any permits for the project until county supervisors decide whether they need another landfill in an updated needs assessment. The board emphasized that NCL Waste's proposal isn't dead yet, WAPT-TV said. SENT: 222 words.

VOUCHER VIOLATIONS-TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Some Tennessee parents were accused of misspending thousands of dollars in school voucher funds while using state-issued debit cards over the past school year, a review by The Associated Press has found, and state officials say they do not know what many of those purchases were for. The Tennessee voucher program is currently modest in scale but is set to expand under Republican leadership over the next year. The state gives families of children with certain disabilities the option of removing their students from public school and then provides a state-issued debit card loaded with tax dollars to help cover their children's private school needs. By Kimberlee Kruesi. SENT: 992 words.

AP Photos transref:TNMH701.

IN BRIEF:

— XGR-MISSISSIPPI-TEACHER PAY — Mississippi legislators are pushing ahead with a plan to pay the full cost for this year's teacher pay raise.

— LOUISIANA-MONROE PRESIDENT — A Louisiana university president says he will retire June 15.

___

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The Atlanta AP Bureau: [email protected]

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