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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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–BUDGET-CASINOS
RALEIGH, N.C. — A top North Carolina legislator expressed optimism Thursday that a further expansion of state-sanctioned gambling could be worked out before legislators end this year’s regular business later this summer. House and Senate Republicans are still negotiating the sticking points on a two-year state government budget that was supposed to take effect July 1. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 600 words by 3 p.m.
TRANSGENDER LEGISLATION-THINGS TO KNOW
The week’s developments affecting transgender rights in U.S. statehouses and courts.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
CLIMATE-HOME-GEOTHERMAL
More than one third of all U.S. energy consumption, and thus a significant source of climate change, is from heating and cooling homes and buildings. Air source heat pumps are a trending topic as a solution, but experts say geothermal pumps are a more efficient option. For the geothermal pumps, loops of flexible piping are installed several hundred feet deep in yards and water in the loops brings up heat from the earth and absorbs heat from inside homes. Industry experts see the technology becoming increasingly popular in coming years, but installation costs are still high, even though homeowners save money long term. By Isabella O’Malley. SENT: 1,150 words, photos, video.
— With CLIMATE-HOME-GEOTHERMAL-EXPLAINER
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VIRGINIA
CAMPAIGN FINANCE-YOUNKIN
RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s main fundraising apparatus will soon report raising $5.75 million in this year’s second quarter, a sum that surpasses what any previous governor of the state has raised over an entire year, according to the group’s accounting. By Sarah Rankin. Upcoming: 775 words by 2 p.m., photo.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
BRITAIN KEVIN SPACEY TRIAL
LONDON — Kevin Spacey says he was crushed when an intimate friend accused him of sexual assault. Spacey testified Thursday in a London court in what could be the most consequential speaking part of his life. Spacey began by discussing how he got involved in the theater. He joked that his mother would say he began acting the moment he emerged from her womb. Spacey denied allegations by three of his accusers in early testimony, calling one of the accounts madness. He said other allegations were consensual sex or touching. The 63-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges including sexual and indecent assault. By Brian Melley. SENT: 750 words, photos.
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SPORTS
BKN–SUMMER LEAGUE RDP
LAS VEGAS — NBA Summer League play continues Thursday with eight scheduled games: Cleveland-Chicago, 3 p.m.; Philadelphia-Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. Brooklyn-Toronto, 5 p.m.; Miami-Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m.; Houston-Golden State, 7 p.m.; Charlotte-New Orleans, 7:30 p.m.; Portland-Orlando, 9 p.m. Minnesota-Sacramento, 9:30 p.m. UPCOMING: 800 words. DEVELOPING
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LOCALIZATION
SUPREME COURT-ETHICS-LOCALIZE IT: Records obtained by The Associated Press show that Supreme Court justices attended publicly funded events at colleges and universities that allowed the schools to put the justices in the room with influential donors, including some whose industries have had interests before the court. The AP’s investigation also found that justices lent the prestige of their position to partisan activity and advanced personal interests such as book sales. The court says ethical guidelines were followed. We provide a list of institutions included in AP’s published reporting and tips for pursuing reporting and record requests for visits by justices in your area. Find the latest Localize It guides.
With:
Audio Localize It guide PART ONE
Audio Localize It guide PART TWO
WORLD CUP-LOCALIZE IT: America’s star-studded women’s World Cup team has community ties from coast to coast. We list them for you and include players with U.S. ties from some other teams as well. We also point you to local club resources for potential watch parties and other events and link to AP’s planned coverage. Find the latest Localize It guides.
LOCALIZE IT-LEFT BEHIND LEAD: Many cities have been excavating and revealing lead pipes as they do work on water mains, then reburying them, an investigation by the Associated Press has found. The practice has been common. But the city of Detroit, which went through bankruptcy, shows that cities didn’t have to make a choice that risks lead poisoning for another generation of young children. Detroit decided to dig up all of its lead pipes. Some cities say there are financial or social obstacles to removing all lead pipes, and that some homeowners don’t want city workers on their property. But people who study lead poisoning, which can deprive children of cognitive abilities, call the practice of leaving them in the ground immoral. We offer details on lead pipes per state and tips for finding out the status of lead pipe removal in your community. Find the latest Localize It guides.
DISUNITED METHODISTS-LOCALIZE IT: More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations — a fifth of the U.S. total — have received permission to leave the denomination, according to the latest tally in a long-running schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ persons. Most of those departures, which began with a trickle in 2019, occurred this year during a just-completed round of meetings of the denomination’s regional governing bodies. Many of the departing congregations are joining the new, more conservative Global Methodist Church. We offer details on congregations that are leaving and tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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AUDIO
First over-the-counter birth control pill gets FDA approval
The gunman who killed 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue is found eligible for the death penalty
Biden is closing out his Europe trip by showcasing new NATO member Finland
Tornado touches down near Chicago’s O’Hare airport, disrupting hundreds of flights
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U.S. STORIES
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING — The gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty. A federal jury announced its decision Thursday, setting the stage for further evidence and testimony on whether Robert Bowers should be sentenced to death or life in prison. SENT: 900 words, photos, audio.
HEAT-WAVE — After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, California’s summer is in full swing as a heat wave that’s been scorching much of the U.S. Southwest brings triple-digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires. SENT: 520 words, photos. Developing. WITH: HOT-WEATHER-PHOTO-GALLERY — In unrelenting heat, millions plunge, drink and shelter to cool off. SENT: 260 words, photos.
CLIMATE-HOME-GEOTHERMAL — More than one third of all U.S. energy consumption, and thus a significant source of climate change, is from heating and cooling homes and buildings. Air source heat pumps are a trending topic as a solution, but experts say geothermal pumps are a more efficient option. For the geothermal pumps, loops of flexible piping are installed several hundred feet deep in yards and water in the loops brings up heat from the earth and absorbs heat from inside homes. Industry experts see the technology becoming increasingly popular in coming years, but installation costs are still high, even though homeowners save money long term. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. WITH: CLIMATE-HOME-GEOTHERMAL-EXPLAINER — Heat pumps are becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking to efficiently heat and cool their home. SENT: 435 words, photos.
ELECTION 2024-HOUSE — Democrats are sensing better-than-expected odds of retaking the House majority in 2024. After an anemic showing in the midterms, Republicans have virtually no cushion in their quest to retain control. That effort was made all the more complicated by a surprise U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that will likely bring two new safely Democratic districts. SENT: 1,040 words, photo.
BLACK-LIVES-MATTER-10 YEARS — The Black Lives Matter movement hits a milestone on Thursday, marking 10 years since its 2013 founding in response to the acquittal of the man who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. BLM activists and organizations plan to mark a decade of the movement with in-person and virtual events. Calls to action include a renewed push to defund police departments and reinvest in Black communities that have suffered disproportionately from police brutality, unequal treatment in criminal justice systems and mass incarceration. By AP National Writer Aaron Morrison. SENT: 1,040 words, photo.
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