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
MEDICAID EXPANSION
RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration has set October 1 as the date when more of North Carolina’s low-income adults can begin enrolling in Medicaid. But the expansion program won’t happen then unless elected officials take one last action soon. The Democratic governor signed an expansion law in March, pontentially providing health coverage to another 600,000 adults. But that law requires enactment of a state budget before it can be implemented. Budget talks are currently in overtime. State Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley says the launch date depends on the administration receiving final authority by Sept. 1 to accept expansion. By Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 710 words.
CAPITOL RIOT SENTENCING
WASHINGTON — A high school student who stormed the U.S. Capitol, assaulted a police officer and sat in a Senate floor chair reserved for the vice president has been sentenced to one year in prison. Georgia resident Bruno Joseph Cua was 18 when he attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, making him one of the youngest people charged in the riot. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss sentenced Cua on Wednesday to a prison term of one year and one day followed by three years of supervised release. The judge convicted Cua of felony charges after a trial earlier this year. By Michael Kunzelman and Lindsay Whitehurst. SENT: 920 words, photo.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
GAS STATION SHOOTING
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina store owner who is facing a murder charge after police said he chased and shot a Black 14-year-old customer has asked a judge to stop a search warrant for his business records. Police say Rick Chow shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back in May 28 after Chow falsely accused the teen of shoplifting. A prosecutor on Monday said investigators need to search computers to find the store’s employee manual and other documents that could potentially reveal a pattern of behavior in how Chow normally dealt with shoplifters and how Carmack-Belton was treated differently. Chow’s lawyer says the family already turned over what authorities wanted and says investigators are now looking for items they can’t legally have. SENT: 610 words, photos.
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VIRGINIA
EARNS-BOEING
Boeing is reporting a $149 million loss for the second quarter despite higher revenue, as the plane maker struggles with higher costs in both its airline and defense business. CEO David Calhoun said Wednesday that Boeing has “more work ahead” but is making progress in stabilizing its factories and supply chain. Boeing says it’s starting to boost production of its two most popular airline planes, the 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner, to take advantage of demand for newer, more fuel-efficient planes. However, the company is continuing to see problems with its supply chain, which continued in the second quarter. By David Koenig. SENT: 530 words, photo.
FAA-NEW PLANES
The Federal Aviation Administration says it’s giving manufacturers more guidance on safety information that they must disclose when seeking certification of new large planes. The FAA said Wednesday that its proposed policy also tells manufacturers when they must disclose design changes that affect safety analysis already submitted to the agency. The move comes after the FAA was heavily criticized for approving the Boeing 737 Max without understanding a key system that malfunctioned before two crashes that killed 346 people. The FAA says it will take public comment on the new policy until Aug. 25. SENT: 270 words, photo.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
SOCIAL SECURITY CHIEF
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has nominated former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to lead the Social Security Administration. If confirmed, O’Malley would run one of the biggest social programs in the nation and grapple with the surrounding uncertainty over its funding. Roughly 70 million people — including retirees, disabled people and children — receive Social Security benefits. O’Malley served as Maryland’s governor from 2007 to 2015 and was Baltimore mayor for two terms. O’Malley was a Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 but has ruled out running again. Biden on Wednesday said O’Malley “has spent his career making government more accessible and transparent, while keeping the American people at the heart of his work.” By Fatima Hussein. SENT: 280 words, photo.
HUNTER BIDEN
WILMINGTON, Del. — President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has pleaded not guilty to two tax crimes after a plea deal with federal prosecutors unraveled during a court hearing in Delaware following the judge’s concerns over the agreement. Hunter Biden was charged last month with two misdemeanor tax crimes of failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes from over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018. He was expected to plead guilty after making an agreement with prosecutors, who were planning to recommend two years of probation. Instead, he pleaded not guilty Wednesday. The judge gave defense lawyers and prosecutors 30 days to explain why she should accept the initial deal. By Claudia Lauer, Randall Chase and Colleen Long. SENT: 900 words, photos, video.
BRITAIN-KEVIN SPACEY TRIAL
LONDON — A London jury has acquitted Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges stemming from allegations by four men dating back 20 years. Jurors returned their verdicts Wednesday in Southwark Crown Court after deliberating over three days. Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches and an aspiring actor said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after falling asleep or passing out at Spacey’s apartment. Spacey, who turned 64 on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. By Brian Melley. SENT: 1,240 words, photos, video, audio.
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SPORTS
BBO–ORIOLES-PHILLIES
Baltimore plays Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
BBN–ROCKIES-NATIONALS
Colorado plays Washington at Nationals Park. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. By Harvey Valentine.
HKN–HURRICANES-AHO
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed top center Sebastian Aho to an eight-year contract extension worth $78 million. Once the deal goes into effect for the 2024-25 NHL season Aho will count $9.75 million against the salary cap 2032. Aho will continue to be the highest-paid player on the roster. The 26-year-old Finn has 468 points in 520 career regular-season games all with Carolina. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 250 words. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos by 4 p.m. EDT.
FBC–ACC MEDIA DAYS-FLORIDA STATE’S SURGE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The expectations keep rising for Florida State, now in its fourth year under Mike Norvell. Now there’s a Heisman candidate in quarterback Jordan Travis leading the way for a team expected to challenge Clemson in the newly division-less Atlantic Coast Conference. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 700 words and photos by 6 p.m. With FBC–ACC Media Days-Notebook. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 700 words and photos by 6 p.m.
FBN–RAVENS-CAMP BEGINS
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract issues behind them — but with questions about the availability of Rashod Bateman and J.K. Dobbins. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 7 p.m. ET.
FBN–PANTHERS-YOUNG’S DEBUT
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Bryce Young takes the field for his first training camp practice after being selected No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers. The rookie quarterback from Alabama is has already gained the respect of his teammates and appears destined to be the team’s Week 1 starter. By Steve Reed. UPCOMING. 700 words, photos by 5 p.m. ET
SOC–WREXHAM-US TOUR
SAN DIEGO — “Super” Paul Mullin is hurt, the latest drama with Wrexham, the Welsh soccer club made famous by its celebrity owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham had been enjoying a mini tour of the United States until Mullin, its star striker, suffered a punctured lung and was hospitalized Tuesday night after a collision with Manchester United goalie Nathan Bishop. By Bernie Wilson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
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LOCALIZATION
HOLLYWOOD STRIKES-LOCALIZE IT: Three years after the pandemic brought Hollywood to a standstill, the film and TV industry has again ground to a halt. This time, though, the industry is engaged in a bitter battle over how streaming — after advancing rapidly during the pandemic — has upended the economics of entertainment. Tens of thousands of actors have now joined screenwriters on picket lines outside studios and streaming services’ headquarters, seeking better pay and more details about streaming audiences. We provide tips on finding strike events near you and ideas for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
HEAT WAVE-LOCALIZE IT: The onslaught of searing temperatures struck parts of the United States again this week. Around one-third of Americans are under some type of heat advisory, with the most blistering temperatures in the South and West, where even the regular simmer has turned up a notch. We offer tips for localization. Find the latest Localize It guides.
HUNGER-COLLEGE-STUDENTS-LOCALIZE IT: Many college students who are struggling with hunger are facing the potential loss of food stamp benefits that were boosted in the pandemic. COVID-era rule changes made it easier for as many as 3 million students to enter the SNAP, or food stamps, program. But now those changes are expiring, and thousands of college students will be gradually removed from a program they say is still vital to their ability to feed themselves and stay in school. We offer tips and resources for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
EDUCATION-STUDENT LOANS-LOCALIZE IT: Following through on a promise from last year, the Biden administration said last week it will cancel $39 billion in federal student loans for Americans who were enrolled in one of the government’s income-driven repayment plans. The relief will be granted to 804,000 borrowers as part of an action meant to correct past problems with the payment plans. New data released Tuesday by the Education Department shows how many people are eligible for the relief in each state, along with the combined student loan debt eligible for cancellation. It’s separate from the cancellation plan that the Supreme Court struck down, and from a new one the Biden administration is now developing. We link to the state breakdown, offer political context and other resources for localizing the story.
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.
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VIDEO
Hunter Biden arrives at Delaware courthouse
Michael Jackson sexual abuse lawsuits on verge of revival by appeals court
New York City crane’s arm burns, collapses to street
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AUDIO
Fire on New York construction crane causes arm to collapse and hit a building as it falls
Water at tip of Florida hits hot tub level, may have set world record for warmest seawater
Mega Millions jackpot rises to $910 million after no one wins top prize
London jury acquits Kevin Spacey of sexual assault charges on his birthday
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HUNTER BIDEN — President Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s plea deal on two tax charges has fallen apart after the federal judge hearing his case in Delaware expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge. Wednesday’s outcome leaves open the yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings. SENT: 1,000 words, video, photos. Developing.
HOT OCEAN RECORD — The water temperature on the tip of Florida hit hot tub levels, exceeding 100 degrees two days in a row, which meteorologists say could potentially be the hottest seawater ever measured. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says weather records for sea water temperature are unofficial and there are certain conditions in this reading that could disqualify it for a top mark, but the initial reading on a buoy at Manatee Bay hit 101.1 degrees Monday evening. SENT: 590 words, video, photos, audio.
FEDERAL RESERVE — Even after inflation has steadily eased this year, the Federal Reserve’s policymakers still think prices are rising too fast and are almost certain to lift their key interest rate by a quarter-point on Wednesday. The Fed’s increase would be its 11th hike in 17 months. As with its previous rate hikes, this one would likely further elevate the costs of mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and business borrowing. SENT: 760 words, photo, audio. UPCOMING: Fed statement at 2 p.m. ET, Fed chairman presser at 2:30 p.m.
NEWSPAPER CLOSED-WEST VIRGINIA — Months after the last newspaper closed in a dying coal community in West Virginia, residents say they are already experiencing challenges getting and sharing information. In March, The Welch News in McDowell County weekly became another one of the thousands of U.S. newspapers that have shuttered since 2005. It’s a crisis publisher and owner Missy Nester called “terrifying for democracy” and one that disproportionately impacts rural Americans. Residents suddenly have no way of knowing what’s happening at public meetings. Local crises, like the desperately needed upgrade of water and sewer systems, are going unreported. And there is no one to keep disinformation in check. SENT: 1,750 words, video, photos, 1,000-word abridged version.
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