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.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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
IN BRIEF:
— SCENIC OVERLOOK-FATAL FALL — The National Park Service says a South Carolina woman died after falling from a scenic overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
ELECTION 2024-REPUBLICANS-DEBATE
The field for the second Republican presidential debate will be smaller than the first. The Republican National Committee says seven candidates have qualified for Wednesday night’s debate in California. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson participated in the first debate but didn’t meet the heightened criteria to make the cut this time. Former President Donald Trump will also be missing from the stage and will instead hold events in Michigan. To qualify for the second debate, candidates needed at least 3% support in two national polls or 3% in one national poll as well as two polls from four early-voting states. The White House hopefuls also needed at least 50,000 unique donors. By Meg Kinnard. SENT: 930 words, photos.
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VIRGINIA
FORD BATTERY PLANT
DETROIT — More money is being pledged in Michigan for the development of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant after Ford said it would pause construction until it’s sure it can run the factory competitively. Ford announced the delay Monday and is in the midst of national contract talks with the United Auto Workers union, which wants to represent workers at battery factories and win them top wages. On Tuesday, a Michigan economic development board voted to send an additional $65 million to the megasite that will be used for “assistance for site readiness activities,” according to a board memo. By Tom Krisher. SENT: 560 words, photos, audio.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN-FEDERAL WORKERS
WASHINGTON — Across the country, federal workers still stung by memories of past government shutdowns are bracing for the possibility of another extended closure. With a Saturday deadline looming for lawmakers to approve more federal spending — a deal that is looking less and less likely — workers are increasingly worried about how they’ll make ends meet. The White House, Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans warn that a shutdown could devastate people who rely on the government for everyday services while also putting a stop to paychecks for federal workers. By Fatima Hussein. SENT: 780 words, photos, video, audio.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
HUNTER BIDEN
WASHINGTON — A political adviser to Rudy Giuliani is slamming Hunter Biden’s lawsuit against the former mayor. Hunter Biden sued Giuliani and another attorney on Tuesday, claiming the two wrongly accessed and shared his personal data after obtaining it from the owner of a computer repair shop. Giuliani adviser Ted Goodman says it was false to claim Giuliani manipulated the laptop hard drive, but that he was “not surprised … considering the sordid material and potential evidence of crimes on that thing.” The lawsuit is the latest in a new strategy by Hunter Biden to strike back against Republican allies of Donald Trump who have traded and passed around his private data including purported emails and embarrassing images in their effort to discredit President Joe Biden. By Lindsay Whitehurst. SENT: 630 words, photos.
VEHICLES VS. PEDESTRIANS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. __ Government test data shows new passenger vehicles in the U.S. are extremely safe, but roadway deaths are steadily rising. Some of the biggest increases are deaths of pedestrians and cyclists. That surge has coincided with a steep rise in sales of SUVs and pickup trucks. Experts say the height and boxy front ends of many of those vehicles create large blind spots. They also hit pedestrians higher in the body than sedans, meaning hits more often result in serious injury or death. U.S. safety ratings only consider the safety of people inside a vehicle. But a coalition of transportation safety groups wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin factoring the safety of those outside vehicles into its 5-star safety ratings. By Travis Loller. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
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LOCALIZATION
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN-LOCALIZE IT: The AP offers tips for localizing stories about a federal government shutdown that would occur if Congress fails to pass new spending bills by Sept. 30. Find the latest Localize It guides.
RAILROAD PROJECTS-LOCALIZE IT: The Biden administration announced more than $1.4 billion in grants Monday to improve railroad safety and boost capacity across the country. Much of the money for the grants comes from the 2021 infrastructure law. The money will fund 70 projects in 35 states and Washington D.C. We list the projects and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
EDUCATION-FOUR-DAYS-WEEK-LOCALIZE IT: Hundreds of school systems around the country have adopted four-day weeks, mostly in rural areas and the western part of the U.S. Districts cite cost savings and advantages for teacher recruitment and retention. But for parents there is the added complication — and cost — of arranging child care for that extra weekday. We list out states with school systems that have adopted the truncated school week and provide tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
MEDICAID-DENTAL-LOCALIZE IT: Many states are expanding their Medicaid programs to provide dental care to their poorest residents. We list out the states that have expanded coverage since 2020 and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
CENSUS-RACE-ETHNICITY-LOCALIZE IT: The United States had 3.5 million residents who identify as Middle Eastern or North African and Venezuelans were the fastest-growing Hispanic group last decade. That’s according to the 2020 census’ most detailed figures on race and ethnicity released Thursday. We offer tips on how to use the data. Find the latest Localize It guides.
MEDICAID-STATES-LOCALIZE IT: About 500,000 people who lost Medicaid coverage in 30 states are getting their health insurance at least temporarily restored, as states work to fix a computer system glitch that had prevented them from automatically assessing an individual’s eligibility, federal officials said Thursday. We list out the states where this occurred and offer resources for covering the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
CENSUS-SURVEY DATA-LOCALIZE IT
For lovers of facts about life in the United States, it has been like drinking from a firehose in recent days as the U.S. Census Bureau released new, 2022 survey data on income, poverty, health insurance coverage, commuting times, education levels, disabilities and military service, among many other topics. We walk you through the data options and suggest some reporting threads. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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AUDIO
Congress is moving into crisis mode to avoid a government shutdown
Powerball jackpot climbs to $835 million after no one overcomes awful odds to win top prize
Supreme Court allows drawing of new Alabama congressional map to proceed, rejecting state’s plea
Writers strike is not over yet with key votes remaining on deal
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