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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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
SPORTS GAMBLING-NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Regulated sports betting and horse racing should begin across North Carolina in the first half of next year after Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation that greatly expands gambling within the state’s borders into law. The Democratic governor held a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday at Spectrum Center, home to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. It could house one of several anticipated sportsbooks allowed at or near professional sports venues as part of the law. The Republican-controlled General Assembly finalized the bill last week. The new law says betting could begin as early as next Jan. 8 but as late as mid-June 2024. SENT: 540 words, photo.
XGR–ELECTIONS BILLS
RALEIIGH, N.C. — Two bills filed by North Carolina Senate Republicans that could make it tougher for certain ballots cast early to count and would shift appointment powers from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to the legislature get their first hearings Wednesday in a committee. Cooper and his allies call the measures power grabs that would suppress voting in the closely divided state. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 600 words by 4 p.m.
FRUIT FLIES-GENE TARGETING
Researchers at North Carolina State University hope they’ve come up with a way to combat a type of fruit fly that can decimate raspberries and strawberries – targeting a gene to sterilize the pest. If their process works in the field, it could be an important addition to farmers’ arsenal against a persistent bug that can wipe out 20% to 30% of a raspberry crop even after it’s been sprayed with pesticide. By Melina Walling.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
ARMY TRAINING DEATH
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Army officials say a 40-year-old staff sergeant training to be a drill sergeant has been found dead after failing to return from a land navigation course at a South Carolina military base. Authorities say Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras was found Monday nearly 11 hours after he was supposed to have completed the three-hour course at Fort Jackson near Columbia. Army officials say Contreras was only about 50 meters off the course but in very unforgiving terrain. Authorities released few details including how Contreras died or why he might have gone off course. Contreras was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and lived in Las Vegas. By Jeffrey Collins. SENT: 310 words.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
CAPITOL RIOT-SENTENCINGS
A former National Security Agency employee has been sentenced to 14 days of imprisonment for storming the U.S. Capitol along with associates described by authorities as fellow followers of a white nationalist movement. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly also has sentenced Paul Lovley to three years of probation. Lovley was charged with four other men whom prosecutors described as “members” of the white nationalist America First movement. Prosecutors had recommended 30 days of imprisonment for Lovley. They said the 24-year-old former resident of Maryland worked as an information technology specialist for the NSA before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.By Michael Kunzelman. SENT: 830 words, photo.
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SPORTS
BBA–BLUE JAYS-ORIOLES
BALTIMORE — The Orioles try to follow up on their 11-6 win over Toronto when they take the field for the second game of this series. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET.
BBO–NATIONALS-ASTROS
HOUSTON — Houston’s Framber Valdez opposes Washington’s Josiah Gray when the Astros and Nationals continue a three-game series. UPCOMING: 600 words. Photos.
FBN–PANTHERS-THIELEN
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Adam Thielen has been a part of a dynamic duo of wide receivers most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, playing alongside star wide receivers Stephon Diggs and Justin Jefferson. But now that he’s in Carolina, Thielen doesn’t have that top-notch running mate. But he believes the Panthers overall depth will help at wide receiver will help make up for it. By Steve Reed. UPCOMING. 600 words, photos by 5 p.m. ET
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LOCALIZATION:
JUNETEENTH-LOCALIZE IT: It has been two years since Juneteenth became a federal holiday. This year’s celebrations, which mark the day when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free, will be held amid political efforts to limit discussions of America’s racial history. We offer historical context, links to past coverage and some tips for covering Juneteenth and events related to it. Find the latest Localize It guides.
CONSUMER PRICES-LOCALIZE IT: Inflation is falling but remains high and still squeezing many Americans’ finances. We offer context and details, instructions on how to view inflation numbers in your community and ideas for interview questions. Find the latest Localize It guides.
PRIDE-TRANSGENDER-LOCALIZE IT: As LGBTQ+ communities and their allies hold Pride events this month, transgender people especially are in the spotlight. A driving force for attention for a minority group within a minority group is a bevy of state laws across the U.S. on treatment of transgender people. In some states, there are bans on gender-affirming medical care for minors, restrictions on which bathrooms they can use and whether they can play on girls and women’s sports teams. In other states, there’s been a move to protect some rights for transgender people. We offer ideas for local coverage. Find the latest Localize It guides.
DECRIMINALIZING FENTANYL TEST STRIPS-LOCALIZE IT: A growing number of states are decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips, seeking to protect people who use drugs from unwitting exposure to the highly potent synthetic opioid ravaging the U.S. with overdose deaths. We provide a look at these states and offer tips for localization. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ELIMINATING RAILROAD CROSSINGS-LOCALIZE IT: The Biden administration is handing out more than $570 million in grants to help eliminate railroad crossings in 32 states just as the industry is increasingly relying on longer and longer trains to cut costs. We point you to the list of projects and offer local reporting suggestions. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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VIDEO
Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges
Biden hosts Juneteenth concert at White House
Las Vegas crowd celebrates Stanley Cup hockey title
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AUDIO
Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents
Democrats and Republicans share core values but still distrust each other
Founder of sexuality-focused women’s wellness company pleads not guilty in forced labor case
Pope expected to be released soon from hospital after abdominal surgery: Vatican
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U.S. STORIES
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS — The Southern Baptist Convention has refused to welcome Saddleback Church back into its fold. It has rejected an appeal by the California megachurch of its ejection for having women pastors. Southern Baptist church representatives at their annual meeting here also rejected a similar appeal by a smaller church, Fern Creek Baptist of Louisville, Kentucky, which is led by a woman pastor. The results of the Tuesday votes were announced Wednesday morning on the concluding day of the two-day annual meeting in New Orleans. The statement of faith for the nation’s largest Protestant denomination asserts that only qualified men can serve as pastors. SENT: 640 words, photos.
DENVER SHOOTING — Authorities in Denver say a shooting amid fans celebrating the Nuggets’ first NBA championship win was likely sparked by a drug deal gone wrong. It left 10 people wounded, including one of two people arrested in connection with the shooting. Five people were still hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, all in fair condition. Police Chief Ron Thomas said investigators believe five or six of the wounded were bystanders. The gunfire broke out early Tuesday, around 3 1/2 hours after Monday’s game. Police say 20 rounds were fired at the scene, and investigators recovered five handguns and a “significant quantity” of suspected fentanyl pills. SENT: 650 words, photos, video, audio.
TRUMP CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS — Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he hoarded classified documents detailing sensitive military secrets and schemed to thwart government efforts to get them back. Trump appeared before a judge in Miami’s federal courthouse on Tuesday. He is the first former president charged with federal crimes. Authorities say Trump schemed and lied to block the government from recovering the documents concerning nuclear programs and other sensitive military secrets stored at his Mar-a-Lago estate. It’s the second criminal case Trump faces as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024. He’s also accused in New York state court of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments during the 2016 campaign. SENT: 1,140 words, photos, video, audio.
—With: TRUMP CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS-COURT SCENE
FEDERAL RESERVE-CONSUMER IMPACT — The Federal Reserve’s likely decision Wednesday afternoon to leave interest rates alone for the first time in 11 meetings will raise hopes that it may be nearing the end of its rate-hiking campaign to cool inflation. That’s not to say the Fed is done raising rates. Most economists foresee another increase or two, starting as soon as next month. And even after the Fed has stopped hiking, it’s likely to keep borrowing rates at a peak for months to come. Consumers would still have to bear the weight of higher-cost auto loans, mortgages, credit cards and other forms of borrowing. SENT: 1,290 words, photos.
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