AP News Digest 6 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
———————————————
NEW & DEVELOPING
———————————————
Adds: AMERICA PROTESTS-CONGRESS, AMERICA-PROTESTS-MEDIA, GEORGE FLOYD-MEMORIAL-BIDEN, TRUMP-RUSSIA-PROBE-FLYNN, FORREST FENN-TREASURE FOUND, PEOPLE-JK ROWLING, NAVAL ACADEMY-RESIGNATION, CAR—NASCAR-ATLANTA, CAR—NASCAR-PROTESTS.
-------------------
--------—---------
AMERICA PROTESTS — As New York City prepared to reopen after a more than two-month coronavirus shutdown, officials lifted a curfew that was put in place amid protests of police brutality and racial injustice. But they also urged that demonstrators be tested for COVID-19. The call is similar to what officials in Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta have made following massive demonstrations, with free testing set up for protesters who may have been exposed to the virus. By Brian Mahoney and Kimberlee Kruesi. SENT: 870 words, photos. WITH: AMERICA PROTESTS-THE LATEST; AMERICA-PROTESTS-MEDIA — The New York Times’ editorial page editor has resigned amid outrage over an op-ed by a Republican senator who advocated using federal troops to quell protests — outrage that only grew when it was revealed the editor had not read the piece before publication. SENT: 210 words.
GEORGE FLOYD-DEATH-DUTY TO INTERVENE — Minneapolis was among several cities that had policies on the books requiring police officers to intervene to stop colleagues from using unreasonable force, but that didn’t save George Floyd and law enforcement experts say such rules will always run up against entrenched police culture and the fear of being ostracized and branded a “rat.” By Bernard Condon and Todd Richmond. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-DEFUND POLICE — “Defund the police” has become a rallying cry by protesters – and a stick for President Donald Trump to use on Democrats as he portrays them as soft on crime. But what does the slogan mean? It’s not necessarily a cry to shut police departments or gut their budgets. By Michael Balsamo. SENT: 900 words, photos.
Find more coverage of America Protests in AP Newsroom.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-BAD-NUMBERS — Brazil’s government has stopped publishing a running total of coronavirus deaths and infections in an extraordinary move that critics call an attempt to hide the true toll of the disease in Latin America’s largest nation. The move came after months of criticism from experts saying Brazil’s statistics are woefully deficient, and in some cases manipulated, so it may never be possible to gain a real understanding of the depth of the pandemic in the country. By Diane Jeantet. SENT: 1,140 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — Even as the U.S. economy begins to flicker back to life, even as job cuts slow and some laid-off people are called back to work, the scope of the devastation left by the viral pandemic has grown distressingly clear to millions who’d hoped for a quick return to their jobs: They may not be going back anytime soon. By Alexandra Olson and Mae Anderson. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
Find more coverage of the Virus Outbreak in AP Newsroom.
CLASS OF 2020-CRISIS GENERATION — They are the Class of 2020, born in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks and coming of age in another tumultuous time. The Associated Press spoke with and photographed several graduating high school seniors to talk about where they’ve been and where they’re going. By Martha Irvine. SENT: 1,750 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight.
—————————————————————
—————————————————————
AMERICA PROTESTS-GLOBAL — Thousands of people took to the streets of European cities to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, with protesters in the English port of Bristol venting their anger at the country’s colonial history by toppling a statue of a 17th-century slave trader. SENT: 950 words, photos. WITH: AMERICA PROTESTS-BRITAIN STATUE (sent).
AMERICA PROTESTS-CONGRESS — Congressional Democrats are working on legislation to overhaul police accountability, in response to mass protests nationwide over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans during interactions with law enforcement. SENT: 530 words, photo.
AMERICA PROTESTS-CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERHAUL — Black activists believe the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide civil unrest that followed could be the catalyst for overhauling the criminal justice system. Following Saturday’s massive demonstrations against racism and police brutality, some are pushing for incremental change, such as requiring more rigorous training, reviewing policies and mandating that officers live in the communities in which they work to deepen their relationship with residents. But others are advocating for more sweeping responses, such as defunding law enforcement agencies or even dismantling police departments. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS-RICHMOND — Amid an extraordinary outpouring of grief over George Floyd’s death, Virginia’s governor has pledged to remove an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. City leaders have also committed to taking down the other four Confederate memorials along Richmond’s prestigious Monument Avenue. The changes amount to a reshaping of how one of America’s most historic cities tells its story in its public spaces. SENT: 1,150 words photos. WITH: AMERICA PROTESTS-CONFEDERATE MONUMENT — A small group of demonstrators toppled a statue of a Confederate general in the the former capital of the Confederacy late Saturday, following a day of largely peaceful protests in the Virginia city. SENT: 380 words, photo.
AMERICA PROTESTS-TRUMP-PARK POLICE — The violent clearing of demonstrators from the nation’s premier protest space in front of the White House is spotlighting a tiny federal watch force created by George Washington. Democratic lawmakers want answers about the clubbing, punching and other force deployed by U.S. Park Police in routing protesters from the front of the White House on Monday. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-SMALL TOWNS — Public outrage over the killing of George Floyd is spilling over into small town America. Rallies have surfaced in places such as Norfolk, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, drawing hundreds of people in communities that are mostly white. SENT: 760 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-NEW YORK — New York City has lifted the curfew spurred by protests against police brutality ahead of schedule after a peaceful night, free of the clashes or ransacking of stores that rocked the city days earlier. SENT: 480 words, photos.
GEORGE FLOYD-MEMORIAL — Houston’s police chief says the body of George Floyd has arrived in Texas for a final memorial service and funeral. A six-hour viewing for Floyd is planned for Monday in Houston, followed by funeral services and burial Tuesday in the suburb of Pearland. SENT: 250 words, photo. WITH: GEORGE FLOYD-MEMORIAL-BIDEN — Joe Biden plans to travel to Houston to meet with the family of George Floyd and will provide a video message for Floyd’s funeral service. SENT: 150 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-FIREFIGHTER PROFILED — Officials apologized to a black Rhode Island firefighter who says he was racially profiled by a pair of police officers who approached him with guns drawn as he sat in a car outside his own fire station. SENT: 440 words.
-------------------------------—————————
—------------------------------—————————
VIRUS OUTBREAK-RETAIL RAGE — Retail workers across the country are facing insults, threats and even attacks from customers angry over being told to comply with coronavirus restrictions in stores. One retail store manager has decided to fight back with a Facebook page called “Retail Life During COVID-19.” After posting a photo of the bruised and bloody face she suffered after being punched by an angry shopper in Modesto, California, Samantha Clarke quickly accumulated tens of thousands of followers. SENT: 950 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GLOBAL — The confirmed global death toll from the COVID-19 virus reached at least 400,000 fatalities a day after the government of Brazil broke with standard public health protocols by ceasing to publish updates of the number of deaths and infections in the hard-hit South American country. SENT: 780 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPAIN — Spain’s prime minister acknowledged that the country’s COVID-19 outbreak not only directly killed thousands through fatal infections but also likely increased mortality among those who were suffering from other ailments and failed to get necessary treatment during the crisis. SENT: 610 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ONE-GOOD-THING-BLOCK-PARTY — On a late Friday afternoon, there is joy and fraternity found on a blocked-off street in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Neighbors chat, dogs get acquainted and above all, there’s laughter. After three months of sheltering-in-place, this scene of normalcy is still not commonplace as New York City tests the waters of socializing, within the prescribed limits. SENT: 360 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — India reported 9,971 new coronavirus cases, another single-day high for the country that comes a day before it reopens shopping malls, hotels and religious venues after a 10-week lockdown. SENT: 670 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHINA — Senior Chinese officials released a lengthy report on the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, defending their government’s actions and saying that China had provided information in a timely and transparent manner. SENT: 480 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VULNERABLE TRUCKERS — Africa’s long-haul truckers carry food, fuel and other essential supplies along dangerous roads, but now they say they are increasingly accused of carrying the coronavirus as well. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GREECE-OPEN AIR CINEMAS-PHOTO GALLERY — Magic in Greek moonlight as outdoor cinemas open. SENT: 440 words, photos.
—————————————————————-
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
—————————————————————-
FORREST FENN-TREASURE FOUND — A bronze chest filled with gold, jewels, and other valuables worth more than $1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found, according to a famed art and antiquities collector who created the treasure hunt. SENT: 430 words, photos.
PEOPLE-JK ROWLING — “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling is facing hefty backlash after she posted a series of tweets about transgender people. SENT: 320 words, photo.
NAVAL ACADEMY-RESIGNATION — A former member of the U.S. Naval Academy alumni trustees issues an apology for racially insensitive comments made on social media. SENT: 250 words.
AUSTRALIA FATAL SHARK ATTACK — A 60-year-old surfer was attacked and killed by a 10-foot great white shark off the coast of northern New South Wales state, officials say. SENT: 300 words, photos.
FRANCE-NOTRE DAME — Workers to begin untangling charred metal web on Notre Dame. SENT: 170 words, photo.
FBN-OBIT-KEN RILEY — Former Cincinnati Bengals standout Ken Riley, who was later a head coach and athletic director at his alma mater Florida A&M, has died, the university announced. He was 72. SENT: 440 words, photo.
CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES — Smoky fire prompts evacuations in rural Northern California. SENT: 100 words, photos.
—————————————————
—————————————————
AMERICA PROTESTS-DECISION DAY — Defense Secretary Mark Esper was three blocks from the FBI’s Washington field office last Monday evening when he got a call to divert immediately to the White House. President Donald Trump wanted a briefing on how the military was handling security as protests grew on the streets of the nation’s capital. The night before, Washington streets had filled with protesters angered by the death of George Floyd in the hands of Minneapolis police officers. The president pushed for the fastest, most extreme measures while advisers at the Pentagon tried to persuade him that a more moderate approach would work. By Robert Burns. SENT: 870 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-WASHINGTON - The demonstrators who flooded Washington on Saturday reshaped the mood of a city that has been on edge. Bursts of looting and violence earlier in the week prompted a dramatic clampdown by law enforcement that gave the nation’s capital the feeling of an occupied city. But on Saturday, go-go music — a distinctive D.C. offshoot of funk — blared from a truck that looked more like a parade float. The displays of levity amounted to a moment of catharsis for a city and nation in crisis. SENT: 940 words, photos, video.
TRUMP-RUSSIA-PROBE-FLYNN — While federal prosecutors are trying to dismiss their case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, they are trying to get their conviction against his one-time business partner reinstated. SENT: 220 words, photo.
———————————
———————————
TROPICAL WEATHER — Rain pounded the U.S. Gulf Coast ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Cristobal, which has already spawned a tornado in Florida and threatened more twisters along with high winds and storm surge. SENT: 730 words, photos.
CALIFORNIA-OFFICERS SHOT — A Northern California sheriff’s deputy was killed and two law enforcement officers wounded when they were ambushed with gunfire and explosives while pursuing a suspect, authorities said. The U.S. Air Force confirmed Sunday that the suspect was an active duty sergeant stationed at Travis Air Force Base. SENT: 460 words, photo.
———————————
———————————-
LEBANON-PROTESTS — The Lebanese military said overnight riots and sectarian tensions in central Beirut and other areas left dozens of people injured, including 25 soldiers, and warned that the clashes had endangered national unity. SENT: 390 words, photo.
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deadly police shooting of an unarmed Palestinian man with autism a “tragedy,” although he stopped short of apologizing for the incident. SENT: 500 words, photos. WITH: PALESTINIANS-ISLAMIC JIHAD — Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader buried in Syria. SENT: 260 words, photo.
——————————————————
——————————————————-
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT-FRAUD — Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide. This complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices. SENT: 790 words, photos.
—————————-
—————————
CAR—NASCAR-ATLANTA — The NASCAR Cup series moves to its fourth track since returning from the coronavirus shutdown, going back to Atlanta for a race that was postponed in March because of the pandemic. Home state favorite Chase Elliott will start from the pole. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Race in progress. With CAR—NASCAR-PROTESTS — NASCAR paused before Sunday’s Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway to acknowledge the country’s social unrest (sent).
VIRUS OUTBREAK-STADIUMS-FANS — The robust TV experience available to sports fans has caused a decline in ticket sales for years, and now the coronavirus pandemic is forcing leagues to have games without them at all. But once they are allowed back in the stadium, ensuring fans are safe while also being entertained will be of paramount importance. That could mean the implementation of new tech such as sound-recognition apps and touchless payment systems, many of which could benefit those watching from home just as much as those in the arena. SENT: 960 words, photos.
———————————-——
HOW TO REACH US
—————————————-
At the Nerve Center, Rob Jagodzinski 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.