NC–Greater Mid-Atlantic News Digest 1 p.m.
Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org
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. Mid-South Assistant News Director Jonathan Drew can be reached at 919-510-8937 or jdrew@ap.org.
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NORTH CAROLINA
MEDICAID EXPANSION
RALEIGH, N.C. — Barely a month into the start of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina and over 310,000 low-income adults have enrolled in the government health coverage, Gov. Roy Cooper said on Wednesday. The governor joined the U.S. administrator for Medicaid and Medicare services at a Raleigh church to highlight the upcoming deadline for the open-enrollment period for other subsidized insurance offered through the Affordable Care Act. A record number of people have selected a plan through the online insurance marketplace. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 400 words by 3 p.m.
WINTER WEATHER
CONCORD, N.H. — A major storm has drenched the Northeast and slammed it with fierce winds, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands. That’s followed a bout of violent weather ranging from snowstorms to tornado reports in other areas of the country. Parts of Long Island in New York were inundated by coastal flooding on Wednesday. In New Jersey, roads were flooded and rivers were rising. The same weather system already brought heavy rain, hail and at least three reported tornadoes to the South. Meanwhile, many areas of Florida face the threat of flooding. And the snowy Midwest is being warned that temperatures could plunge. By Kathy McCormack and Scott McFetridge. SENT: 1,260 words, photos, video, audio.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
HOT HOUSE DEATH
The family of an elderly couple found dead in their South Carolina home where the temperature was around 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) had trouble with their heater not working days before their deaths, their family told police. Family members called Spartanburg Police on Saturday after not hearing from the couple. A police officer and a paramedic found Joan Littlejohn, 84, and Glennwood Fowler, 82, dead in their bedroom after having to find an unlocked window, authorities said. SENT: 270 words.
LONGEST SERVING SENATOR RETIRES
The longest currently serving state senator in the U.S. doesn’t plan to run for office again this year in South Carolina. Democratic Rep. Nikki Setzler was elected to the Senate in 1976 and has served ever since. UPCOMING: 300 words, photo by 3:30 p.m.
ELECTION 2024-DEBATE
WAUKEE, Iowa — Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis will be alone on the debate stage for the first time. Haley and DeSantis have spent much of the Republican presidential primary flanked by lower-polling rivals. The stakes are high for the former U.N. ambassador and the Florida governor on Wednesday. The moment is especially important for Haley, a politician long known for her disciplined approach to messaging. Haley’s reputation has been tested recently after a series of gaffes. Haley failed to mention slavery as the root cause of the Civil War and quipped that New Hampshire voters will have a chance to “correct” the results that emerge from Iowa. By Meg Kinnard. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video.
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VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
RICHMOND, Va. — A remade Virginia General Assembly is set to convene its 2024 session. The Legislature will kick off 60 days of work on Wednesday with a Democratic majority newly in charge of both chambers. Last year’s consequential election cycle saw the GOP lose its House of Delegates majority. Guns, gambling, abortion, public safety and other issues will be on the agenda this year. Democrats will need to win Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s support for certain priorities and will aim to work around him to advance others. Republicans say they want to hold Democrats accountable for any push too far to the left. By Sarah Rankin. SENT: 870 words, photo.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
MARYLAND LEGISLATURE
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland General Assembly is gathering for its annual 90-day legislative session. It starts Wednesday at noon with lawmakers set to wrestle with budget challenges as well as measures on affordable housing and public safety. Maryland is facing a projected structural deficit of $761 million in the next fiscal year. That deficit is expected to balloon to about $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2029, largely due to rising costs of a K-12 education funding reform law. The future deficits have prompted some talk in Annapolis about taking action this year to raise revenues, but leading lawmakers are sounding wary of doing so this session. By Brian Witte. SENT: 780 words, photo.
CLIMATE-LOW SNOW COVER
DENVER — Areas across the globe have seen spring snowpack shrink over the last 40 years, and a new study says for many of them climate change is clearly to blame. Wednesday’s study in the journal Nature finds a key threshold for the future of snowpacks in the Northern Hemisphere: 17.6 degrees. In places where the winter averages colder than that, often the snowpack survives because it’s cold enough. But areas warmer than 17.6 degrees for a winter average, like the Upper Colorado River basin, tend to see their winter wonderland dreams melt. And it’s bad news for water supply. By Seth Borenstein and Brittany Peterson. SENT: 950 words, photos.
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LOCALIZATION
US-BLACK-HISTORIC-COMMUNITIES-LOCALIZE IT: Historic Black communities have dwindled from their once-thriving existence in the United States and efforts to preserve what’s left encounter complicated challenges. The incorporated towns were founded by formerly enslaved people and often had their own churches, schools, stores and economic systems. Researchers estimate fewer than 30 historic Black towns are left, compared to more than 1,200 at the peak about a century ago. While some enclaves stand up to outside forces looking to repurpose the land, others find compromise that keeps the historical legacy alive. We list the locations of some of the remaining incorporated towns and offer suggestions for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
US-NATIVE AMERICAN-SIGNS-LOCALIZE IT: Authorities from Minnesota to Maine are adding Native American language translations to road signs and building facades. The signage is part of an effort to revitalize Native languages and draw attention to Native communities that have longstanding ties to the areas. Others are doing it to make Native American residents feel more welcome. We list locations where this is happening and offer tips and resources for local reporting. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ELECTION 2024-STATE SUPREME COURTS: Crucial battles over abortion, gerrymandering, voting rights and other issues will take center stage in next year’s elections for state supreme court seats — 80 of them in 33 states. We offer a state-by-state breakdown and some suggested reporting tips. Find the latest Localize It guides.
AI-ELECTION 2024-LOCALIZE IT: Manipulated images and videos surrounding elections are nothing new — but 2024 is the first U.S. presidential contest where sophisticated AI tools that can produce convincing fakes in seconds are just a few clicks away. We provide key terms to know in your coverage, along with tips for identifying AI-generated content and details on state laws regulating political deepfakes. Find the latest Localize It guides.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SHEDDING STOCKPILES-LOCALIZE IT: Some states that stockpiled millions of masks and other personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic are now throwing the items away. An Associated Press survey found that at least 15 states have tossed out some of the PPE items because they are expiring or have more than they need, while others have sold extra materials at bargain prices or have tried to give away surplus masks, gowns and gloves but have had difficulty finding entities willing to take them. We list states that have thrown out PPE, those that say that haven’t and we offer tips on how to report this locally. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ABORTION-LEGISLATURES-LOCALIZE IT: The June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended a national right to abortion did not end the political and legal battles surrounding it. Instead, it provided a jolt. Voters, courts and lawmakers are all likely to have a lot to say about state-level abortion policy in 2024. We break down the status of abortion bans in various states, offer an embed code for a map you can publish and suggested reporting tips. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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AUDIO
Republicans are taking the first step toward holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress
Scuffles break out in West Bank as US Secretary of State meets Palestinian President Abbas
Investigation into why a panel blew off a Boeing Max 9 jet focuses on missing bolts
Economy tops US priorities for government across racial groups, AP-NORC and AAPI Data polls show
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