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
SUPREME COURT-WHAT’S LEFT
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term. The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. As is typical, the last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues the court has wrestled with this term, including affirmative action, student loans and gay rights. There’s also the case of a Christian mail carrier who refused to work Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages and a case about the power of state legislatures to make rules for congressional and presidential elections without being checked by state courts. By Jessica Gresko and Mark Sherman. SENT: 800 words, photo.
IN BRIEF: — SUPREME COURT-SKIRTS ONLY LAWSUIT — The Supreme Court has left in place an appellate ruling barring a North Carolina public charter school from requiring girls to wear skirts to school.
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VIRGINIA
VOTING RIGHTS-CONVICTED FELONS
RICHMOND, Va — Three people who have been barred from voting in Virginia filed a lawsuit Monday against Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state elections officials challenging the state’s automatic disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions. Virginia is one of only three states that automatically take away voting rights for convicted felons unless the governor restores those rights. The lawsuit, filed in federal court by the ACLU of Virginia, alleges that Virginia is violating a 150-year-old federal law that established the terms of Virginia’s readmission to representation in Congress after the Civil War. By Denise Lavoie.
ELECTION 2023-VIRGINIA-SENATE
RICHMOND, Va. — Incumbent Virginia state Sen. Jeremy McPike narrowly defeated Del. Elizabeth Guzman in a Democratic nomination contest for a northern Virginia district. The Associated Press called the 29th District race Monday. Guzman conceded over the weekend and McPike claimed victory. McPike has served in the Senate since 2016. He will head into the general election season as the favorite in the Democratic-leaning district that covers parts of Prince William and Stafford counties. It’s not yet clear who McPike will face in the general election. The Republican nomination contest in the 29th District between Nikki Baldwin and Maria Martin was too close to call. SENT: 220 words, photos.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
ELECTION-2024-DELAWARE-HOUSE
DOVER, Del. — Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride says she’s running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Already the first openly transgender state senator elected in the country, she’d be the first trans member of Congress if she wins in November. McBride, a Democrat, says people deserve a representative “who sees them and who respects them.” Her announcement also highlighted her support for paid family leave, which passed the Delaware Senate last year. McBride was elected in 2020 in a heavily Democratic district stretching from northern Wilmington to the Pennsylvania border. There are several other transgender legislators around the country McBride is the first trans state senator. SENT: 320 words, photo.
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SPORTS
BBO–REDS-ORIOLES
BALTIMORE — Elly De La Cruz and the resurgent Reds arrive in Baltimore for a three-game series with the Orioles. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET.
BBO–NATIONALS-MARINERS
SEATTLE — After a disappointing 2-4 road trip, the Seattle Mariners return home on Monday night to host the Washington Nationals, who have won two straight. By Tim Booth. UPCOMING: Game at 6:40 p.m. PT. 600 words.
CAR–NASCAR-NASHVILLE’S FUTURE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Whenever Music City comes up on the NASCAR schedule, texts start flying to see who’s spending an extra day — or two — to enjoy all the town has to offer. Nashville and Bristol Motor Speedway are busy working to give everyone a chance to race on one of the oldest tracks in the country with a multi-million plan to renovate and modernize the historic Fairgrounds Track minutes from downtown. That would give NASCAR a chance to spice up its schedule and future visits. By Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 850 words, photos by 4 p.m. EDT.
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LOCALIZATION:
CENSUS-ESTIMATES-RACE-LOCALIZE IT: Without immigration, the white population in the U.S. would have declined last year. Immigration also propelled the expansion of the Asian population, which was the fastest-growing race or ethnic group in the U.S. Births outpacing deaths helped propel growth in Hispanic, Black, tribal and Hawaiian populations. Population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show what drove changes in different race, ethnic and age groups last year. We provide tips for localizing this story to your community. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ABORTION-LOCALIZE IT: A year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion policy has changed in most states. Bans on abortion throughout pregnancy — with some exceptions — are now in place in 14 states. Deep restrictions have been adopted in others, while most Democrat-controlled states have taken steps to protect access. We provide tips for covering the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in your states and communities. Find the latest Localize It guides.
HOUSING-EVICTIONS RISING-LOCALIZE IT: Eviction filings are far above average in some cities across the country as pandemic relief disappears and inflation causes rents to spike. According to the latest data from the Eviction Lab, filings in several cities are running as much as 50% above pre-pandemic averages. We provide tips on finding eviction rates for your states and cities and offer ideas for local reporting. Find the latest Localize It guides.
MEDICAID-STATES-LOCALIZE IT: Well over 1 million Medicaid recipients already have been removed from the rolls as states start enforcing eligibility rules for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. States normally conduct periodic reviews to determine whether Medicaid recipients continue to meet the income thresholds and family circumstances required for the government health-care program for lower-income residents. But federal law barred states from dropping people from Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic in exchange for additional federal funding. The enrollment freeze ended in April, and states are now plowing through a backlog of cases to determine whether people should remain on Medicaid. We offer tips for finding out what’s happening in your state and point you to sources for local data. 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.
VIDEO
Tornado strikes south of Indianapolis
Closing arguments in trial of deputy accused of failing to stop Parkland school shooter
Gay nightclub shooting suspect pleads guilty
Civil rights icon James Meredith turns 90
AUDIO
Indiana tornado kills one as severe weather causes damage and power outages across multiple states
No more needles? A daily pill may work as well as Wegovy shots to treat obesity
Supreme Court unfreezes Louisiana redistricting case that could boost power of Black voters
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ slings back into box office top spot while ‘The Flash’ drops
U.S. STORIES
HOUSING-EVICTION MORATORIUM-LANDLORDS — Some landlords have gone without rental income for more than three years after Oakland, California, approved an eviction moratorium in March 2020. Earlier this year, small-property landlords took to City Hall to demand an end to the eviction ban. They said they were going into debt or facing foreclosure while tenants with jobs skipped out on rent. Eviction moratoriums were set in place across the U.S. at the start of the pandemic and most have expired. But not in the Bay Area cities of Oakland, San Francisco and Berkeley, where rents and rates of homelessness are both high. Housing advocates say low-income tenants still need protections. Oakland’s eviction ban ends July 15. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING — A truck driver who spewed hatred of Jews has been convicted of storming a Pittsburgh synagogue on a Sabbath morning and fatally shooting 11 congregants in an act of antisemitic terror for which he could be sentenced to die. The guilty verdict Friday against Robert Bowers was a foregone conclusion. Bowers’ lawyers conceded at the trial’s outset that he attacked and killed worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Jurors must now decide whether the 50-year-old should be sent to death row or sentenced to life in prison without parole. The penalty phase will start June 26. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video.
TRANSGENDER LEGISLATION-BATHROOMS — U.S. states with laws restricting what bathrooms transgender kids can use in public schools are wrestling with how those laws will be enforced. At least 10 states have enacted such laws and transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people expect states to rely on what they call vigilante enforcement by private individuals. Arkansas and Florida threaten educators’ licenses. Oklahoma promises to cut funding if school districts don’t comply. Arkansas, Oklahoma, Idaho and Tennessee allow private lawsuits against schools. But Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky and North Dakota don’t spell out any enforcement mechanism. Enforcement questions came to a head in North Dakota recently when the Fargo school leaders promised to defy the state’s rules. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
SEVERE WEATHER — A tornado struck an Indiana home, killing one occupant and injuring another while two people died in Arkansas after a tree fell onto a house there as severe weather rumbled through a number of states. WXIN-TV reports the tornado was part of a severe storm system that pushed through Martin County, Indiana, on Sunday evening. The station says a Martin County official confirmed the death and injury. Authorities say a tornado also touched down south of Indianapolis, damaging at least 75 homes. A fire department official there says there were no deaths or injuries. KTHV-TV reports that two people were killed and a third was injured Sunday night in Carlisle, Arkansas when a tree fell onto a home. SENT:690 words, photos, audio.
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