AP News Digest 2 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 2 months AGO
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SMALL BUSINESS STRUGGLES — As economies around the world reopen, legions of small businesses that help to define and sustain neighborhoods are struggling. Whether they can survive will have reverberations not just for the economy but for the communities where they serve as gathering places and provide key services. The stakes are high: The U.N. estimates that businesses with fewer than 250 workers account for two-thirds of employment worldwide. By Adam Geller. SENT: 2,925 words, photos. A 1,050-word abridged version is also available.
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FEDERAL EXECUTION — The U.S. carries out its first federal execution in almost two decades, killing by lethal injection a man convicted of murdering an Arkansas family in a 1990s plot to build a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest. The move sets the stage for two other scheduled executions this week and revives the debate over capital punishment during a time of widespread social unrest and the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. By Michael Balsamo. SENT: 1100 words. UPCOMING: 990 words by 5 p.m., photos. WITH: FEDERAL EXECUTIONS-PURKEY —A Kansas man who raped and killed a 16-year-old girl and fatally beat an 80-year-old woman is scheduled to be among the first three inmates executed as the federal government resumes the practice after 17 years. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 3 p.m.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GLOBAL- Florida surpassed its previous one-day record for coronavirus deaths and Britain and France announced they will require people to wear masks in public indoor spaces, amid rising global fears about a resurgence of the pandemic. Florida reported 132 additional deaths, topping the previous record for the state set just last week. The figure likely includes deaths from the past weekend that had not been previously reported. By Terry Spencer and Danica Kirka. SENT: 925 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WAIT ’TIL NEXT YEAR — 2020 is barely halfway over, but that hasn’t stopped many people from declaring the year canceled and wishing it would end. No Olympics, no awards shows, no weddings, no summer camp, no graduations. The coronavirus pandemic has brought a tidal wave of change to almost every part of life. There was a monthslong moment where the world was on pause, causing many to dig into existential questions like what is my purpose and where do I belong? Now it’s all about 2021 -- the year when everything, and maybe nothing, happens. By Sophia Rosenbaum. SENT: 950 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN-CLIMATE — Joe Biden unveils a plan aimed at combating climate change and spurring economic growth in part by overhauling America’s energy industry, with a proposal to achieve entirely carbon pollution-free power by 2035. By Alexandra Jaffe and Will Weissert. SENT: 892 words. UPCOMING: Developing from 1:30 p.m. Biden remarks, 890 words by 5 p.m., photos. WITH: ELECTION 2020-BIDEN-MAP — Joe Biden airs his first ad in Texas, a sign of how the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee hopes to put President Donald Trump on defense in longtime Republican strongholds. UPCOMING: 700 words by 6 p.m., photos.
ELECTION 2020-ALABAMA SENATE — Seeking to reclaim his old Senate seat from Alabama, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces former college football coach Tommy Tuberville — a political newcomer endorsed by President Trump. By Kim Chandler. SENT: 600 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SCHOOL POLITICS — Schools and educators across the U.S. have landed in the middle of an increasingly politicized debate over how best to reopen schools this fall. It’s a daunting challenge as coronavirus infections spike in many places. Some parents object to masks and social distancing and want schools open full time. Others are calling for part-time school and face coverings for all. School board meetings, social media debates and online petitions have often devolved into mudslinging. SENT: 1,140 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NEW YORK NURSING HOMES — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing blistering criticism over a report that found no strong link between a controversial state directive that sent thousands of recovering coronavirus patients into nursing homes and some of the nation’s deadliest nursing home outbreaks. Scientists, health care professionals and elected officials assailed the report released last week for failing to address the actual impact of the March 25 order. SENT: 1,160 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ROBOT COOKS -- Robots that can flip burgers, make salads and even bake bread are in growing demand as virus-wary kitchens try to put some distance between workers and customers. Starting this fall, the White Castle burger chain will test a robot arm that can cook french fries, corn dogs. SENT: 950 words, photos.
MED-VIRUS OUTBREAK-SHARING VACCINES — Politicians and public health leaders have publicly committed to equitably sharing any coronavirus vaccine that works, but the top global initiative to make that happen may allow rich countries to reinforce their own stockpiles while making fewer doses available for poor ones. SENT: 1,140 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA-OPAQUE FUND — Ordinary citizens, industrialists, Bollywood stars and foreign companies are donating to a new fund created by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen the country’s fight against the coronavirus. The fund, called PM CARES, already totals more than $1 billion, but is being criticized for a lack of transparency and accountability. By Sheikh Saaliq. SENT: 835 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-CONTACT TRACING — What is contact tracing, and how does it work with COVID-19? SENT: 300 words, photos.
Find more coverage of the Virus Outbreak in AP Newsroom.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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BURGER KING-COWS —Burger King is staging an intervention with its cows. The chain has rebalanced the diet of some of the cows by adding lemon grass in a bid to limit bovines contributions to climate change. SENT: 380 words, photos.
TV-DANCING WITH THE STARS-HOSTS -- The dance has ended for “Dancing With the Stars” hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. SENT: 300 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FALLON -- The studio is largely empty, but Jimmy Fallon is out of his home and back to the “Tonight” show stage. SENT: 250 words, photos.
ZAPPOS-SINGLE SHOE BUYING -- Zappos is trying out new ways to sell shoes: allow shoppers to buy a single shoe at a time or buy a pair in two different sizes. The tests are aimed at amputees, those with differing foot sizes and other people who have been left out by the shoe industry. SENT: 240 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK- MASK SHOOTING — Police say a man was fatally shot by a Michigan sheriff’s deputy after stabbing another man who had challenged him about not wearing a mask at a store. SENT: 185 words, photos.
VA DEATHS-WEST VIRGINIA -- A former staffer at a Veterans Affairs hospital in West Virginia is being charged with killing seven patients by giving them fatal doses of insulin, according to unsealed court documents. SENT: 350 words, photo.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS — A federal judge is expected to decide whether to issue a temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration rule requiring international students to leave the country if their colleges are remote. By Collin Binkley. UPCOMING: Developing from 3 p.m. court session, 800 words by 5 p.m., photos.
WHITE HOUSE-JOBS CAMPAIGN — A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to “find something new.” Critics call the message tone deaf in the midst of a pandemic. SENT: 465 words, photo.
ELECTION-2020-TEXAS -- As Texas struggles to contain a raging coronavirus outbreak, voters on Tuesday were heading out to polls for runoff elections that include choosing a Democratic nominee in a U.S. Senate race that offers the party another chance to break through in America’s biggest red state. SENT: 515 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
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JEFFREY EPSTEIN-ASSOCIATE -- Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend pleaded not guilty to charges she recruited girls and women for the financier to sexually abuse more than two decades ago. British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in a video court hearing in Manhattan. SENT: 525 words, photos.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-CONFEDERATE MONUMENT-OLE MISS —A Confederate monument that’s been a divisive symbol at the University of Mississippi was being removed from a prominent spot on the Oxford campus. It will be taken to a Civil War cemetery in a secluded part of campus. SENT: 660 words, photos.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR -- The first female to publicly say she was sexually abused by a team doctor at the University of Michigan says she hopes to inspire other women and men to come forward. Cathy Kalahar played tennis for the Wolverines in the 1970s. She has joined hundreds of Michigan graduates who allege doctor Robert Anderson molested them. Anderson died in 2008. SENT: 625 words, photos.
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SOUTH CHINA SEA -- The Trump administration’s rejection of broad Chinese claims to much of the South China Sea came across in Asia as an election-year political move, with some appealing for calm amid fears of greater tensions. SENT: 725 words, photos.
ETHIOPIA-INTERNET CUT -- — Ethiopia is entering its third week without internet service for almost everyone after days of deadly unrest, as the government in Africa’s diplomatic and aviation hub says it’s trying to prevent speech that could further inflame ethnic tensions. SENT: 460 words.
ITALY-FRANCE BANKSY — Italy returned to France a stolen artwork by British artist Banksy that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks at the Bataclan music hall. SENT: 280 words, photos.
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BRITAIN-HUAWEI — Britain backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a role in the U.K.’s new high-speed mobile phone network amid security concerns fueled by rising tensions between Beijing and Western powers. Britain said it decided to prohibit Huawei from working on the so-called 5G system after U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the security of equipment made by the Chinese company. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks were mostly higher on Wall Street Wall Street after CEOs of the country’s biggest banks painted a mixed picture of how badly the coronavirus pandemic is ripping through their businesses. SENT: 700 words, photos, developing. WITH: BANK-EARNINGS —Banks set aside billions, bracing for more economic pain. SENT: 625 words, photos.
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FILM-MICHAEL B. JORDAN — Michael B. Jordan discusses his “A Night at the Drive-In” partnership with Amazon Studios that will bring diverse films to drive-in theaters for free screenings, and why he felt ready to speak out about the racial reckoning happening in America after George Floyd’s death. UPCOMING: 700 words, photo.
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FBN—WASHINGTON-WHAT’S NEXT — After deciding to dump “Redskins,” Washington’s NFL team now goes about the process of selecting a new name. It could be Redtails, Redwolves or something else altogether. No matter what the decision, it’ll come at a hefty cost with a potential long-term windfall if the organization can win on the field and avoid the fate of the NBA’s Bullets-turned-Wizards. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m.
BKN—NBA RESTART-LONG TRIPS — There’s never been an NBA trip that has lasted as long as this trip to Disney will for teams. But being gone for a couple of months is an experience that players and coaches with Olympic or World Cup experience have endured before. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 5 p.m.
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