Hello! Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up in the Mid-Atlantic, covering North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to 919-510-8937, 202-641-9660, 410-837-8315, 804-643-6646 or metro@ap.org. AP-Mid-Atlantic News Editor Steve McMillan can be reached at 804-643-6646 or smcmillan@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A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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 and digests will keep you up to date. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org

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TODAY'S TOP STORIES

NORTH CAROLINA

XGR-MEDICAID EXPANSION

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina remains among the dozen or so states that haven't agreed to expand Medicaid to more of the working poor amid a lingering budget stalemate and continued skepticism among top Senate Republicans about the idea. The General Assembly met Tuesday for a session in which legislation related to health care access was among potential topics that lawmakers previously decided could be acted upon. But lawmakers went home within three hours after passing just one bill and GOP senators falling short of overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes on the budget and teacher pay. By Gary D, Robertson. SENT: 640 words.

ELECTION 2020-SENATE DEBATES

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis on Wednesday proposed holding five televised debates with the Democratic nominee, starting this spring. At least one Democratic primary candidate, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, said immediately he “is ready to debate Thom Tillis in the general election” but didn't specifically accept the incumbent's schedule. SENT: 270 words.

NORTH CAROLINA-TRENCH COLLAPSE

RALEIGH, N.C. — One worker died and three others were freed after a trench collapse at a Durham construction site Wednesday that triggered a frantic effort to dig them out, authorities said. The Durham Fire Department issued a news release saying the body of the worker who was killed in the trench collapse was recovered in the late afternoon. The person's name wasn't immediately released. The three others made it out alive. SENT: 200 words.

IN BRIEF:

— STOLEN CAR-SCHOOL CRASH — A car which was reported stolen crashed into two buses in a middle school parking lot, prompting officials to place the school on lockdown, officials said.

— NORTH CAROLINA TRENCH COLLAPSE — Firefighters are working to rescue a worker from a North Carolina construction site where a trench collapsed.

— BEAR TRAP PETITION — An advocacy group in North Carolina has started a petition to try to get Amazon to stop selling an animal trap that can injure bears.

— SOLDIER KILLED-FREEFALL TRAINING — A soldier was killed Tuesday in a routine freefall parachute training exercise in southern Arizona, an Army spokesman said Wednesday.

— CHARLOTTE HOMICIDE RATE — New data shows North Carolina's largest city suffered its highest rate of homicides last year in more than a decade.

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VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA-GUN BAN

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that he was declaring a state of emergency over threats of “armed militia groups storming our Capitol” ahead of a gun-rights rally next week. Northam's emergency order will ban weapons of all kinds, including firearms, from the Capitol grounds starting Friday and continuing through Tuesday. He said the order was necessary to protect public safety because of potential violence from out-of-state groups at a gun-rights rally scheduled for Monday. By Alan Suderman. SENT: 520 words, AP Photo.

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT-VIRGINIA

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia on Wednesday moved to the brink of becoming the crucial 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in what was seen as a momentous victory for the women's rights movement even though it is far from certain the measure will ever be added to the U.S. Constitution. The state House and Senate approved the proposed amendment with bipartisan support, well over a generation after Congress sent the ERA to the states for ratification in 1972. Each chamber now must pass the other's resolution, but final passage is considered all but certain. By Sarah Rankin. SENT: 870 words, AP Photos.

CNS—MARIJUANA CONFERENCE

RICHMOND, Va. — The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia held a news conference Wednesday regarding the prohibition of simple marijuana possession. Speakers addressed their support or opposition for proposed legislation in the General Assembly. By Emma Gauthier, Capital News Service. UPCOMING: 500 words.

IN BRIEF:

— TACO BELL-KNIFE — Police in Virginia say a man has been charged with lunging at Taco Bell employees with a knife after becoming upset about the type of food they gave him.

— INFANT INJURED-BABY SITTER _A Virginia woman accused of harming a baby was sentenced to a year and a half behind bars. News outlets report 30-year-old Leanna Pagans was sentenced Tuesday

— PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY-ABSENTEE VOTING_Absentee voting is set to begin for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in Virginia.

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MARYLAND/ DELAWARE

LIMITING REFUGEES

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A federal judge on Wednesday halted President Donald Trump's executive order that gave state and local officials the ability to shut the door on refugees, and ignited a fierce debate in communities about how welcoming the United States should be.U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte in Maryland said in his ruling that the president's order “flies in the face of clear Congressional intent" of the 1980 Refugee Act by allowing state and local governments to block the resettlement of refugees in their jurisdictions. By Michael Kunzelman and Julie Watson. SENT: 750 words, AP Photos.

LODGING TAX REPEAL

DOVER, Del. — A bill filed by a Delaware lawmaker to repeal a lodging tax authorization law he sponsored last year is headed to the full Senate for a vote. The bill cleared a Senate committee Wednesday after brief comments by sponsor Sen. Trey Paradee, a Dover-area Democrat. A floor vote could be held as early as Thursday. By Randall Chase. SENT: 220 words.

EDUCATION FUNDING REVENUES

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A coalition of unions and progressive Maryland Democrats announced a package of tax measures on Wednesday to raise money for a plan to improve education in the state. Del. Julie Palakovich Carr, a Montgomery County Democrat, estimated the package of 10 measures could raise an estimated $2 billion by 2030. By Brian Wittee. SENT: 490 words.

STATEHOUSE-UNION

DOVER, Del. — Delaware Statehouse workers announced their intention to form a union Tuesday, hours before the General Assembly convened for its 2020 legislative session. The organization announced itself as the Delaware General Assembly Union in a news release posted to Twitter confirming its plans to organize with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. SENT: 290 words.

ELECTION 2020-BIDEN

WASHINGTON — Billionaire businesswoman Penny Pritzker, a major Democratic fundraiser and former commerce secretary under President Barack Obama, has endorsed Joe Biden for president.The former vice president's campaign announced her endorsement on Wednesday. Pritzker's support could give Biden a considerable fundraising boost. By Brian Soldysko. SENT: 260 words.

IN BRIEF:

— JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT — The state Senate has unanimously confirmed Gov. John Carney's appointment of a veteran corporate law attorney to serve as a vice chancellor on Delaware's Court of Chancery.

— SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSES-FEES — A measure with bipartisan support in Maryland would stop the state from suspending a driver's license due to unpaid traffic fines.

— OFFICER IMPERSONATION — Delaware State Police are searching for a suspect who pretended to be a law enforcement officer while trying to steal a man's car at gunpoint, according to an agency statement.

— FAN FALL-INVESTIGATION — The Baltimore medical examiner’s office is investigating the death of a Baltimore Ravens fan who slipped in the team's stadium.

— PREGNANT GIRL-ASSAULT — A Baltimore man convicted of assaulting his 7-months-pregnant girlfriend, killing the fetus, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.

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SPORTS

BKN--HORNETS-NUGGETS

DENVER — The Charlotte Hornets finish a four-game trip Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets. The Hornets are 0-3 so far as they face a Nuggets team that's 16-5 at home this season. By Pat Graham. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP photos. Game time is 9 p.m. ET.

FBN—REDSKINS-COACHING STAFF

ASHBURN, Va. — Ken Zampese was hired as the Washington Redskins' quarterbacks coach on Wednesday with Ron Rivera filling out his new-look staff. Zampese and new offensive coordinator Scott Turner are now tasked with figuring out what to do with 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins. Rivera said Haskins and injured veteran Alex Smith would compete for the starting QB job and that it wasn't the Ohio State product's job by default. SENT: 270 words.

BKC--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 Basketball Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 950 words, AP photos.

BKC--T25-VIRGINIA-FLORIDA ST

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — No. 9 Florida State has won seven straight games and now entertains Virginia, which is coming off two straight losses. The matchup features two of the top 5 teams in the ACC. UPCOMING: 550 words, AP photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. tip

BKC--MIAMI-NC STATE

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State and Miami meet on Wednesday night, with both teams having lost two of their last three. By Basketball Writer Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP photos. Game starts at 7 p.m.