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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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Coverage Plan will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern unless specified otherwise.
NORTH CAROLINA
XGR–ELECTION RULES
RALEIGH, N.C.— Now lacking the seats to easily block veto overrides, North Carolina Democratic lawmakers said Monday a new Republican bill that attempts to advance several election and ballot rules that Gov. Roy Cooper previously blocked and new proposals would harm democracy and cede to unfounded voter fraud allegations. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 600 words by 3 p.m.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
XGR-SOUTH CAROLINA-BUDGET
After weeks of quiet, behind-the-scenes negotiations, the six South Carolina lawmakers working on a budget compromise between the House and Senate meet Monday afternoon. They have until the end of the month to resolve what appears to be less than a $100 million difference between the chambers in the $13 billion spending plan. By Jeffrey Collins. UPCOMING: 450 words by 6 p.m.
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VIRGINIA
PLANE CRASH JET SCRAMBLE
A federal investigator says it will take days to gather highly fragmented debris from a small plane that flew over the nation’s capital and crashed in Virginia, killing four people. The Federal Aviation Administration has said in a brief update Monday that the pilot and three passengers that the plane was “destroyed” in the crash. The identities of the four people weren’t immediately released. A NTSB investigator told reporters Monday that it will take at least three to four days for investigators to reach the remote crash scene more than two miles north of Montebello, Virginia. SENT: 800 words, photo, video, audio.
RAILROAD CONTRACT TALKS
OMAHA, Neb. — Norfolk Southern became the first major freight railroad with deals to provide sick time to all of its workers Monday, but the other railroads are making progress with nearly 60% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit. All of the major freight railroads have said they’re committed to resolving this key issue that nearly led to a strike last year. But most of those railroads are still negotiating with a number of their unions. Last fall, the railroads refused to add paid sick time to the deal they had already been negotiating for several years but they relented this year after intense pressure from the public and key lawmakers. By Business Writer Josh Funk. SENT: 520 words, photos.
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SPORTS
CAR–NASCAR-IN THE PITS
LE MANS, France — Roger Penske won his record 19th Indianapolis 500 on a Sunday, then watched his NASCAR team win the Coca-Cola 600 on Monday to give him a never-before-accomplished Memorial Day weekend sweep. Three days later he oversaw the opening of Detroit’s first downtown street course in 32 years, and now on Tuesday, Penske will lead the Americans return to Le Mans. He’s 86 years old, working at the same pace he did as a young businessman, still seeking all the racing accomplishments he can garner. Next up is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. By AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. 1000 words, photos.
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LOCALIZATION:
FLOOD-INSURANCE-LAWSUIT-LOCALIZE IT: Louisiana and nine other states have filed a lawsuit against the federal government over sharp increases in national flood insurance rates slated to be phased in over the coming years. Dozens of local Louisiana governments and flood control districts also are plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. district court in New Orleans on Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are among the defendants. We list the plaintiffs, point you to data on rate changes and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
GOVERNMENT HONEYBEES-LOCALIZE IT: While judges, lawyers and support staff at the federal courthouse in Concord, New Hampshire keep the American justice system buzzing, thousands of humble honeybees on the building’s roof are playing their part in a much more important task — feeding the world. The Warren B. Rudman courthouse is one of several federal facilities around the country participating in the General Services Administration’s Pollinator Initiative, a government program to assess and promote the health of bees and other pollinators, which are literally critical to life on Earth. We point you to the other federal sites and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ABORTION-RELIGIOUS DIVIDE-LOCALIZE IT: In the year since the Supreme Court struck down the nationwide right to abortion, America’s religious leaders and denominations have responded in strikingly diverse ways — some celebrating the sweeping state-level bans that have ensued, others angered that a conservative Christian cause has changed the law of the land in ways they view as oppressive. We offer context, suggested reporting avenues and links to statements on abortion from several major denominations. Find the latest Localize It guides.
VICTIMS-COMPENSATION-REFORMS-LOCALIZE IT: Thousands of violent crime victims turn to compensation programs in every state for help with medical bills, relocation, funerals and other expenses. The programs disperse millions of dollars each year, but The Associated Press found racial inequities and other barriers in how claims are denied in many states. Across the country, victims are using their stories to try to change the systems that excluded them. They have organized rallies, testified at legislatures and met with dozens of lawmakers — with much success. Legislatures in more than half of U.S. states have passed measures to improve their programs over the last three years. We offer details on these legislative changes and tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
OPIOID-CRISIS-PURDUE-BANKRUPTCY-LOCALIZE IT: A federal court on Tuesday cleared the way for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s proposed settlement with state and local governments across the U.S. and other entities to be finalized. It’s among the largest and most high-profile settlements of its kind, but it’s far from the only one. State and local governments are figuring out how they’re going to use money from opioid settlements with drugmakers, distribution companies and, in some cases, pharmacies. The settlements were designed to avoid some of the pitfalls of the big national deals between states and tobacco companies in the 1990s, which saw spending go to government priorities that had nothing to do with the direct damage inflicted by tobacco. But advocates still worry about the details of how the opioid money will be spent and who gets the power in deciding. We point you to state data and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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VIDEO
No survivors found after plane that flew over DC crashes in Virginia
Blinken lays out work Israel-Palestinian need to do
NYC, houses of worship partner to house migrants
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AUDIO
US Navy says Iran Revolutionary Guard fast-attack boats ‘harassed’ ship in Strait of Hormuz
Hormone patches or creams for menopause symptoms may have lower blood pressure risk than pills
Sharing the sentence: Separation takes toll on incarcerated moms and their kids
No survivors found after plane that flew over DC and led to fighter jet scramble crashes in Virginia
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U.S. STORIES
PLANE CRASH-JET SCRAMBLE — A federal investigator says it will take days to gather highly fragmented debris from a small plane that flew over the nation’s capital and crashed in Virginia, killing four people. The Federal Aviation Administration has said in a brief update Monday that the pilot and three passengers that the plane was “destroyed” in the crash. The identities of the four people weren’t immediately released. A NTSB investigator told reporters Monday that it will take at least three to four days for investigators to reach the remote crash scene more than two miles north of Montebello, Virginia. SENT: 780 words, photos, video, audio.
REUNIFICATION RIDE — Tens of thousands fewer women were incarcerated in the U.S. between 2019 and 2020 due to COVID-19, but as prison populations creep back to pre-pandemic norms, more children are being separated from their mothers, putting them at greater risk of health and behavioral problems, and making them vulnerable to abuse and displacement. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to be imprisoned than their white counterparts and are disproportionately affected by family separation due to incarceration. Rare programs like the Reunification Ride, a donation-dependent initiative that buses prisoners’ family members from Chicago to Illinois’ largest women’s prison every month so they can spend time with their mothers and grandmothers, are a crucial lifeline for families, prisoners say. SENT: 1,140 words, photos, video, audio.
RETAILERS-PRIDE MONTH — Dozens of big companies from Delta and Coca-Cola to Walmart are sponsoring LGBTQ+ Pride events and displaying racks of Pride-themed merchandise. But this year, the rainbow has lost some shine. Longtime Pride sponsors like Bud Light and Target have come under attack by conservatives for their LGBTQ-friendly marketing. Calls to boycott Kohl’s, Lego and Southwest Airlines for their LGBTQ-friendly marketing have also popped up in recent days. Nonetheless, many big companies are still backing Pride celebrations. Some say they want to support their LGBTQ+ employees. They also don’t want to turn their back on a population with significant spending power. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
IMMIGRATION-MIGRANT FLIGHTS — Florida appears to have arranged for a group of South American migrants to be transported from Texas to California and dropped off in Sacramento. That’s according to California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta. Sixteen Colombian and Venezuelan migrants showed up outside of the Roman Catholic Church diocese’s headquarters in Sacramento on Friday. Bonta says he’s looking into whether any crimes may have been committed in what could be the latest group to have been moved from a Republican-led state to one led by Democrats. California officials say the migrants were transported from Texas to New Mexico and then flown by charter plane to California’s capital. SENT: 580 words, photos, audio.
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