AP News Digest 2 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 6 months AGO
Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top 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.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — With lives and the economy hanging in the balance, President Donald Trump said he is hoping the county will be reopened by Easter, as he weighs how to refine nationwide social-distancing guidelines to put some workers back on the job amid the coronavirus outbreak. By Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Congressional and White House officials say a deal appears to be at hand on a nearly $2 trillion measure aimed at easing the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic. By Andrew Taylor, Lisa Mascaro and Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 1100 words. UPCOMING: Developing throughout the day, 1,100 words by 6 p.m., photos, video. WITH: VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-GLANCE — What’s in the bill. SENT: 430 words. UPCOMING: Updates expected, 550 words by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The Tokyo Olympics were put off to next year as coronavirus deaths and infections surged in Europe and the U.S., with New York warning it is about to get hit by a “bullet train." By Adam Geller and David Rising. SENT: 1,310 words, photos.
MED-VIRUS OUTBREAK-BLOOD OF THE RECOVERED — Hospitals are gearing up to test if a century-old treatment used to fight off flu and measles outbreaks in the days before vaccines, and tried more recently against SARS and Ebola, just might work for COVID-19, too: using blood donated from patients who’ve recovered. By Lauran Neergaard. SENT: 980 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CRIME — Cops in Tucson are looking for a man accused of nabbing 29 COVID-19 test kits from El Rio Health Clinic. A Long Island man was arrested by authorities after he tried to get into a hospital under restrictions to see his girlfriend. And federal officials say they've shut down a phony website selling vaccine kits for $4.95. As the coronavirus pandemic rises across the country, so are crimes related to it. By Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos. Top stories desk filing.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Stocks are surging on Wall Street and joined a worldwide rally as optimism rose, for one day at least, that government officials and central banks are unleashing enough aid to ease the economic pain caused by the coronavirus outbreak. By Stan Choe and Damian J. Troise. SENT: 1,038 words, photos. WITH: VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMIC REMEDIES — From the Federal Reserve to the Treasury to Congress, the U.S. government is deploying every weapon it can devise to try to blunt the terrifying economic devastation from the coronavirus. UPCOMING: 950 words by 3 p.m.
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MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEDICAL GLOVE SHORTAGE — Medical glove factories in Malaysia, the world's largest producer of the critical medical protection, have dropped to 50% production to comply with new national rules aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. As a result, shortages already reported in some part of the US are expected to worsen, even as global demand grows. By Martha Mendoza. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DIY MASKS — People across the United States are banding together to sew face masks for hospitals running desperately short of personal protective equipment as the coronavirus pandemic intensifies. Hospitals and health care workers say the do-it-yourself face masks are a last resort but better than nothing. And those sitting at home worrying as the virus strains hospitals and the economy teeters say sewing masks makes them feel less helpless. SENT: 1,115 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-VIRTUAL HELP —Donna Borak livestreams a free meditation class from her home in Washington, DC each day. Elsewhere, others are offering money to strangers to help with unpaid bills. Ordinary people are using technology to give each other a virtual hand. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRIEFINGS — Coronavirus briefings have become the new rallies for President Donald Trump. His long-winded appearances almost daily in the White House press room include some of the same features as the big political events he’s had to give up: Praise for his own performance, grievances against his critics, press bashing and a healthy dose of misleading information. That’s mixed in with important updates about new steps to the combat the virus, making for a cloudy picture for viewers. UPCOMING: 890 words by 5 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-FACT CHECK — A look at President Trump's comments in his daily White House coronavirus briefings and a Fox News town hall this week. UPCOMING: 750 words by 4 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ABUSE — “Safer at Home.” It's a slogan of choice for the enforced confinement measures aimed at curbing the dangerous coronavirus. But it may not be true for everyone. As families across the country and the globe hunker down at home, it's another danger, equally insidious if less immediately obvious, that has advocates deeply concerned: A potential spike in domestic violence and child abuse as victims spend day after day trapped at home with their abusers. UPCOMING: 900 words by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK- TELECOMMUTING CHALLENGES - Integrating work life into the home has rarely been easy, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought those worlds into sudden and sharp collision. States and employers have ordered people to stay home, resulting in a massive, unplanned social experiment that can strain productivity and domestic tranquility. The outcome could impact how the U.S. weathers an almost certain recession. SENT: 900 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — The Middle East's most populous country, Egypt, as well as Syria, a country ravaged by nine years of war, will impose nightly curfews starting this week in an effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, their governments announced, SENT: 720 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA — South Africa's coronavirus cases have leapt again to 554. It's the most of any country in Africa. Its 57 million people are rushing to prepare for a three-week lockdown that begins Thursday. Across Africa, 43 of its 54 countries now have cases, with the total at 1,788. Thirteen countries have reported 58 deaths. SENT: 695 words, photos.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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FRANCE-OBIT-MANU DIBANGO — Manu Dibango, who fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music has died with the coronavirus. He was 86. SENT: 193 words, photos.
BOY SLAIN IOWA — Chicago woman gets 50 years for beating death of son in Iowa. SENT: 235 words.
MASSAGE THERAPIST-KANSAS ATHLETICS — A massage therapist charged with a sex crime involving a girl also engaged in inappropriate behavior toward at least six female athletes at the University of Kansas, including unwanted touching during massages, school officials alleged. SENT: 350 words, photos.
FRANCE-OBIT-ASTERIX ARTIST — Albert Uderzo, a creator of French hero Asterix, dies at 92. SENT: 470 words, photos.
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AFGHANISTAN-US — Washington's unprecedented threat to cut $1 billion in Afghanistan funding — a response to the refusal of rivals in Kabul to work together to advance peace — comes at a time when the impoverished nation risks being overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 850 words, photos.
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COAL'S LAST STAND IN PARADISE — Despite Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's best efforts to make good on Trump’s campaign promise to save the beleaguered coal industry, the Tennessee Valley Authority power plant at
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FILM-TCM-FESTIVAL — The 2020 TCM Classic Film Festival may have been canceled, but the film-loving folks at Turner Classic Movies have decided to take the festival into your home instead. The Special Home Edition will air on the network from April 16 through the wee hours of the 20th, featuring classic films like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Casablanca” and “North by Northwest” as well as interviews with from festival past with film legends from Peter O'Toole to Faye Dunaway. SENT: 850 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONCERTS — The multibillion-dollar concert industry went to zero revenue in a matter of days after the outbreak of the coronavirus in the United States. Now thousands of small businesses and contract workers who live gig to gig are facing an uncertain future. SENT: 1,100 words, photos, video.
FILM-SXSW-AWARDS -- South by Southwest, the sprawling Austin, Texas, conference and festival, was one of the first major gatherings canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. But its organizers, eager to lend a hand to the movies that had been set to premiere at SXSW, on Tuesday went ahead with its film awards. SENT: 555 words, photo.
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OLY--TOKYO OLYMPICS POSTPONED — The Tokyo Olympics are postponed until 2021. The IOC’s decision follows weeks of speculation that the games could not proceed as planned because of the coronavirus pandemic and pushback by athletes and federations. The games will be held “not later than summer 2021” but will be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. By Eddie Pells, Stephen Wade and Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 750 words, photos. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos by 4 p.m.
In today’s episode of “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” the AP’s virus podcast, host Ralph Russo talks to sports writer Eddie Pells about what the postponement of the 2020 Olympics means for Tokyo, businesses and the athletes themselves. Find the episode here at 3 p.m. https://appodcasts.com/category/ground-game/ , with embed code available on Coverage Plan.
OLY--TOKYO OLYMPICS POSTPONED-ATHLETES —Athletes react with relief to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics until 2021. But for some it means delaying retirement or possible financial hardship. By James Ellingworth. SENT: 700 words, photos.
BKC--AP PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Obi Toppin and Anthony Grant claim top honors from the AP after leading Dayton in a transformational season that ended with a No. ranking. Toppin is the AP’s men’s Player of the Year on college basketball. Grant is the AP coach of the year. By Basketball Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 800 words, photos.
FBN--BUCCANEERS-BRADY — Tom Brady discusses his decision to jump from the New England Patriots, where he won six Super Bowl titles, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By Fred Goodall. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m.
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