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
RALEIGH-POLICE DEATH
RALEIGH, N.C. — A prosecutor says she won’t seek charges against police in North Carolina’s capital city whose officers repeatedly used stun guns on a man who subsequently died. The report from Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman released on Wednesday says a review of evidence fails to show it was inappropriate for the Raleigh officers to use physical force to take 32-year-old Darryl Tyree Williams into custody on Jan. 17. The State Bureau of Investigation forwarded its probe into what happened to Freeman. Several Raleigh police officers were placed on administrative leave. Freeman’s report lists over a dozen factors that contributed to her decision. By Gary Robertson. SENT: 610 words by 2 p.m., AP photos.
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VIRGINIA
RAILROAD SAFETY
ATLANTA — Federal regulators want first responders to a train derailment to know exactly what they are dealing with even before they reach the scene. That’s because dangerous chemicals trains carry might require a specialized response. A new rule proposed Wednesday would require all railroads to electronically push the details of everything on a train to every emergency responder within 10 miles. The rule applies to every railroad — not just the biggest ones that already provide this information through an app firefighters use. The new rule comes just before the National Transportation Safety Board holds a hearing and scrutinizes emergency responses to the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train outside East Palestine, Ohio. By Josh Funk. SENT: 610 words, photos.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
BIDEN-MODI
President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have developed a relationship based on mutual respect of their scrappy backgrounds and a pragmatism about shared challenges. Biden hosts Modi for a state visit this week, looking to tighten his relationship with the leader of a nation of 1.4 billion that the U.S. administration sees as a pivotal force in Asia. Biden is the son of blue-collar Scranton, Pennsylvania. Modi rose from tea seller’s son. They have differences on Russia policy and India’s human rights record, but their relationship is crucial in the face of challenges posed by China, climate change and other issues. Biden’s national security adviser suggests the president will raise his concerns with Modi. By Aamer Madhani and Krutika Pathi. SENT: 1,180 words, photos, video.
ELECTION 2024 DELAWARE-SENATE
DOVER, Del. — Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester says she is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Tom Carper. Blunt Rochester’s announcement on Wednesday came as no surprise. Carper said in announcing his retirement last month that he favored her as his replacement. Blunt Rochester is Delaware’s lone representative in the U.S. House. She is the only woman and only person of color to represent Delaware in Washington. She was reelected to a fourth term in Congress last November. Blunt Rochester is the first person to announce a bid to succeed Carper in the Senate. Carper has held the Senate seat since 2001. He said last month that he would not seek reelection. By Randall Chase. SENT: 350 words, photo.
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SPORTS
BBA–ORIOLES-RAYS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays try to stop a season-high, three-game losing streak when they conclude a short two-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. By Mark Didtler. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET.
BBN–CARDINALS-NATIONALS
WASHINGTON — Rain is in the forecast as the Cardinals try to complete a three-game sweep of the rebuilding Nationals ahead of their trip to London for a weekend series against the rival Chicago Cubs. If the game is postponed, St. Louis will have three days off. By Ben Nuckols. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 4:05 p.m.
BBC–CWS-WAKE FOREST-LSU
OMAHA, Neb. — No. 1 Wake Forest will make the College World Series championship round if it beats LSU. If the Tigers win, it sets up a winner-take-all bracket final Thursday. By Eric Olson. 650 words, photos. Game starts 7:10 p.m. EDT.
CAR–NASCAR-SHR-BERRY
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stewart-Haas Racing is expected to announce journeyman Josh Berry will replace Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Ford when Harvick retires at the end of the season. By AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. 800 words. Developing from 1 pm announcement.
SOC–CHARLOTTE FC-NEW YORK RED BULLS
The Charlotte FC plays at the New York Red Bulls. UPCOMING: 150 words, more on merit.
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LOCALIZATION:
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.
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VIDEO
Search and rescue expert on desperate hunt for missing submersible
Victim takes on prosecutor after abuser goes free
Trump-era special counsel on Russia probe testifies before Congress
US approves meat made from animal cells
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AUDIO
Modi to start US visit with yoga on the UN lawn, a savvy and symbolic choice for India’s leader
China says Biden comments likening leader Xi to a dictator ‘extremely absurd and irresponsible’
FTC accuses Amazon of enrolling consumers into Prime without consent and making it hard to cancel
Underwater noises heard in frantic search for submersible missing with 5 aboard near Titanic
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U.S. STORIES
TITANIC-TOURIST SUB — A Canadian military surveillance aircraft has detected underwater noises as a massive operation searched in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. A statement early Wednesday from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be. However, it offered a glimmer of hope for those now lost aboard the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a day’s worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning. The Coast Guard says three vessels arrived on-scene Wednesday morning, including The John Cabot, which has side-scanning sonar capabilities and is conducting search patterns alongside two other vessels. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video, audio.
SEX ASSAULT CASE-PROSECUTOR IMMUNITY — A Louisiana woman who was 16 when her boss coerced her to perform a sex act was aghast when a judge let the man walk free on probation. The victim, now 20, blames a St. Tammany Parish prosecutor who she says misled her and the judge prior to the 2021 sentencing for the assault in 2019. But her efforts to hold the prosecutor accountable have run into a roadblock at the state’s highest court. A May ruling from the Louisiana Supreme Court says the prosecutor cannot be sued under longstanding court doctrine immunizing prosecutors from civil liability. The victim’s attorney has asked the court to take another look at the case. SENT: 870 words, photos, video.
LEAKED DOCUMENTS INVESTIGATION — The Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents on a social media platform is due back in court after being indicted on federal felony charges. Jack Teixeira is scheduled to be arraigned in the Worcester federal court on Wednesday on six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Teixeira has been behind bars since his April arrest on charges stemming from the most consequential intelligence leak in years. Teixeira was indicted by a grand jury last week. Teixeira’s attorney has said Teixeira “will answer the charges” and “will be judged by his fellow citizens.” SENT: 310 words, photos. Will be updated.
SCI-CULTIVATED MEAT — Chicken grown from animal cells, not from slaughtered birds, can now be sold in the U.S. The Agriculture Department issued approvals Wednesday to California firms Upside Foods and Good Meat to sell the products, known as “lab-grown” or “cultivated” meat. The meat is grown in steel tanks, using cells that come from a living animal, a fertilized egg or a special bank of stored cells. The goal is to eliminate harm to animals and drastically reduce the environmental impacts of raising them. The meat will initially be sold only at upscale restaurants. SENT: 1,180 words, photos, video.
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