AP News Digest 2 p.m.
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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ONLY ON AP
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THROUGH-KIDS’-EYES — These are children of the global pandemic. In the far-north Canadian town of Iqaluit, one boy has been glued to the news to learn everything he can about the coronavirus. A girl in Australia sees a vibrant future, tinged with sadness for the lives lost. A Rwandan boy is afraid the military will violently crack down on its citizens when his country lifts the lockdown. By Martha Irvine. SENT: 3,600 words, photos, video.
AP-POLL-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VACCINES — Only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if the scientists working furiously to create one succeed, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But more people might eventually roll up their sleeves: The poll found 31% simply weren’t sure if they’d get vaccinated. Another 1 in 5 said they’d refuse. By Lauran Neergaard and Hannah Fingerhut. SENT: 1,000 words, photos, video, graphic.
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SCI-HOME LAUNCH — With thunder threatening a delay, two NASA astronauts made their way to the launch pad for the liftoff of a SpaceX rocket ship on a history-making flight to the International Space Station that was seen as a giant leap forward for the booming business of commercial space travel. By Marcia Dunn. SENT: 725 words, photos. Eds: Launch is set for 4:33 p.m. WITH: SCI--HOME LAUNCH-SPECTATORS --For the spectators who gathered along Florida’s Space Coast to watch an astronaut launch, the rumbling thunder and darkening clouds were more worrisome than any pandemic. SENT: 325 words, photos. WITH: TRUMP — President Trump hopes to use a visit to the first launch of American astronauts from American soil in nearly a decade to give the nation’s spirit a much-needed boost after months of battling the coronavirus. UPCOMING: 780 words by 5 p.m., with updates from 6 p.m. remarks, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The United States was on the cusp of marking at least 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus, a once-unthinkable toll that now appears to be just the beginning of untold misery in the months ahead as Las Vegas casinos and Walt Disney World make plans to reopen, crowds of unmasked Americans swarm beaches and public health officials predict a resurgence by fall. By Carla K. Johnson, Hannah Fingerhut and Lisa Marie Pane. SENT: 1,120 words, photos. WITH: VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST and VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT’S HAPPENING.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE 100 — The fraught, freighted number of this particular American moment is a round one brimming with zeroes: 100,000. A hundred thousands. A thousand hundreds. Five thousand score. More than 8,000 dozen. All dead. This is the week when America’s official coronavirus death toll reaches six digits. One hundred thousand lives wiped out by a disease unknown to science a half a year ago. By National Writer Ted Anthony. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
TRUMP-TWITTER — President Donald Trump threatens social media companies with new regulation or even shuttering after Twitter added fact checks to two of his tweets. The president can’t unilaterally regulate or close the companies, which would require action by Congress or the Federal Communications Commission. But that didn’t stop Trump from angrily issuing strong warnings. By Zeke Miller and Barbara Ortutay. SENT: 490 words. UPCOMING: Developing, 800 words by 5 p.m., photos, video.
ELECTION 2020-VOTING WORRIES — A massive shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of November’s presidential election on Election Night, a scenario that some worry will fuel the doubts about the legitimacy of the election being pushed by President Donald Trump. By Nicholas Riccardi. UPCOMING: 950 words by 5 p.m., photos.
MINNEAPOLIS-POLICE-DEATH —City leaders in Minneapolis moved swiftly to fire four police officers after a black man died in their custody, with a widely circulated video showing an officer kneeling on his neck for several minutes. But the police department still faces questions about the officers’ training and how such a death could have happened. By Amy Forliti. SENT: 1,275 words, photos, videos, developing.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-RITES OF PASSAGE - For many religious families across the United States, the coronavirus has disrupted one of their most anticipated traditions. In normal times, this season of the year would be busy with rites of passage ceremonies mark the full entry of adolescent children into their congregations. Things are different this year. Among Jewish families, some bar and bat mitzvahs have been conducted via Zoom. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DRONES -- As the world grapples with a pandemic, officials are turning to drones for everything from delivering medical supplies to monitoring crowds. Health experts say they could make medical supply deliveries more efficient, but privacy advocates warn of increased surveillance. North Carolina is a testing ground for drone programs involving medical supplies, and this week one of the first deliveries of personal protective equipment in the U.S. was dropped at a hospital by drone. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BENEFITS FRAUD -- Washington state’s race to help newly laid-off residents as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the economy left it vulnerable to fraud. Last week officials hinted at the scope of the damage done: hundreds of millions of dollars paid out in fake claims. Much of it apparently went to a West African fraud ring using identities stolen in prior data breaches, such as the massive 2017 Equifax breach. SENT: 750 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW YORK-ISOLATION HOTELS -- Residents at isolation hotels in New York are being drained by the solitude, with one guest recovering from COVID-19 describing the loneliness as “crippling.” Hotels across New York have been transformed from tourist destinations to desolate barracks, and the city has plans to open at least 1,200 rooms for quarantine by June 1. Many are staying longer than the suggested 14-day isolation period, and the extended seclusion is wearing on residents. SENT: 925 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFGHAN FAMILY — Afghanistan’s broken-down health system, slow government response and public attitudes have left the war-torn country deeply vulnerable to the global pandemic. Despite billions of dollars in international money, government corruption in Afghanistan has left resources depleted and institutions barely functional. SENT: 1,350 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,020 words is also available.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOUTH AFRICA-BOOTLEGGING -- A bootlegging culture has sprung up across South Africa in response to the government’s nearly 8-week-old ban on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol. The restrictions are part of its lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus. SENT: 725 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT -- Industries from tech to heavy industry are trying to figure out how to get back to business with COVID-19 still a threat. Ford was forced to suspend production at its Kansas City plant due to an infection, while Google rolled out plans for a more sparse work place. Tourists destinations, from Disney parks to Cyprus, are doing the same. The latter has pledged to cover all costs for anyone testing positive for the coronavirus while on holiday in the east Mediterranean island nation. SENT: 690 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK -ONE GOOD THING -BORDER REUNIONS -- The closure of the U.S.-Canada border has cut off many families from loved ones on the other side, but a park between Washington state and British Columbia has provided some with a rare chance for in-person visits. Visitors from both sides are allowed to cross inside Peace Arch Park, without having to display a passport. That’s made it a reunion spot for families, couples and friends separated by the border closure. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m.
A separate wire advisory has moved detailing our complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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ODD--ROAMING BEAR-DOUGHNUTS -- Glazed or jelly? A black bear roaming around a Florida city proved no match for the doughnuts that lured the animal into a humane trap. SENT: 200 words, photos.
TV-FALLON-BLACKFACE — NBC “Tonight” show host Jimmy Fallon has apologized for doing an impersonation of fellow comic Chris Rock while in blackface during a 2000 episode of “Saturday Night Live.” SENT: 225 words.
MISSING-CHILDREN TULSA — Police in Tulsa say a body found in a river in Oklahoma is believed to be that of a 3-year-old girl who disappeared last week with her younger brother. SENT: 250 words, photo.
MITSUBISHI RECALL -- Mitsubishi is recalling nearly 223,000 vehicles in Canada and 22 cold-weather U.S. states because suspension parts can rust, detach and cause drivers to lose control. SENT: 180 words.
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CONGRESS-SURVEILLANCE — President Donald Trump, the Justice Department and congressional Republicans have turned against legislation that would extend surveillance authorities that the FBI sees as vital in fighting terrorism, putting passage of the bill in doubt. By Mary Clare Jalonick and Eric Tucker. SENT: 760 words. UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m., photos.
TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE-Q&A Attorney General William Barr says he doesn’t expect a criminal inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation to target former President Barack Obama or Joe Biden, President Donald Trump’s presumptive Democratic opponent. But the investigation, led by U.S. Attorney John Durham of Connecticut, carries political consequences. By Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo. UPCOMING: 790 words by 3 p.m., photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — It’s a day that’s shaping up as one for the history books: For the first time, House lawmakers intend to vote by proxy, a move to avoid the risk of travel to Washington during the pandemic. House Republicans call the move unconstitutional. By Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor. SENT: 760 words. UPCOMING: Developing, 820 words by 5 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NATION’S CAPITAL — Mayor Muriel Bowser says the nation’s capital will take the first steps toward reopening Friday, even as she warns more infections are likely to result. Restaurants will be permitted to seat guests outdoors and barbers and hair salons will open. But nail parlors and public parks will remain closed and gatherings larger than 10 people will be banned. UPCOMING: 750 words by 4 p.m., photos, video.
UNITED STATES-CHINA-HONG KONG — Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo notifies Congress that the Trump administration no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous from mainland China, setting the stage for the U.S. to withdraw preferential trade and financial status that the former British colony has enjoyed since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. SENT: 450 words. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos.
TRUMP-FACT CHECK-MEDICARE — President Trump tangled the facts when he suggested at a White House Rose Garden event that “Obamacare” raised prescription drug costs for seniors — the opposite is true. UPCOMING: 530 words by 3 p.m., photos.
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TROPICAL WEATHER — Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall on South Carolina’s coast Wednesday morning shortly after it formed, becoming the second named storm before the official start of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. A tropical storm warning was issued for South Carolina’s coast and the storm was expected to bring heavy rainfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. SENT: 490 words, photos.
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ISRAEL-NETANYAHU DIVIDE --Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long faced accusations of using his formidable oratory skills to sow divisions between friends and foes. But his fulminating tirade against Israel’s legal system — launched in the lobby of the very courthouse where he went on trial for corruption charges over the weekend —seemed to enter new territory. SENT: 950 words, photos.
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CEO PAY — The typical pay package for CEOs at the biggest U.S. companies topped $12.3 million last year, and the gap between the boss and their workforces widened further, according to AP’s annual survey of executive compensation. Median pay for CEOs in the survey climbed 4.1% last year. By Stan Choe. SENT: 1,390 words, photos. WITH: CEO PAY WOMEN — Lisa Su of Advanced Micro Devices is the first woman ever to top The Associated Press’ annual survey of CEO compensation: Her 2019 pay package was valued at $58.5 million. SENT: 620 words, photos. WITH: CEO PAY-TOP PAID MALE-FEMALE - The highest paid male and female CEOs in the S&P 500 index. SENT: 430 words. WITH: CEO PAY-METHODOLOGY -- How AP and Equilar calculated CEO pay. SENT: 300 words.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS —Stock indexes are mixed on Wall Street, as hopes for a coming economic revival turn the market’s leaderboard upside down. SENT: 570 words, photos. UPCOMING: Will be updated through trading, about 800 words by 5 p.m.
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OBIT-LARRY KRAMER — Larry Kramer, the playwright whose angry voice and pen raised theatergoers’ consciousness about AIDS and roused thousands to militant protests in the early years of the epidemic, has died at 84. By Mark Kennedy. SENT: 1,300 words, photos.
STREAMING TV-HBO MAX — Is a pandemic the perfect time to launch a new and relatively expensive streaming service? AT&T sure hopes so. The phone company is investing billions in HBO Max, its first big entertainment venture since it spent $85 billion for Time Warner in 2018. The good news: Millions are stuck at home, watching more video than ever. The bad news: Many of them are also out of work and carefully watching their incomes. SENT: 676 words, photos.
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CAR—NASCAR-CHARLOTTE — NASCAR’s top Cup Series races for the fourth time in 11 days with a Wednesday night return to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski won Sunday in the longest race in NASCAR history. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Race begins at 8 p.m.
HKN-VIRUS OUTBREAK-HUB CITIES — The NHL has zeroed in on 10 possible locations to host the playoffs if it can return amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league will ultimately decide on two or three locations for games, with government regulations, testing and COVID-19 frequency among the factors for the decision that should be coming within the next three to four weeks. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 7 p.m.
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