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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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
XGR–HOUSE SPEAKER-NOT RUNNING
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, who confirmed this summer that he wouldn’t seek to lead the chamber after 2024, also said Thursday that he wouldn’t run for reelection to his House seat, either. But the Cleveland County Republican declined to say whether he would seek another public office next year. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 350 words by 3 p.m., photo.
CAR–NASCAR-ALL STAR RACE-NORTH WILKESBORO
RALEIGH, N.C. — The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race will remain at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024 after this year’s event — the first race for NASCAR there in 27 years — attracted a capacity crowd thrilled to return to stock car roots. State legislators joined NASCAR and track executives on Thursday at the North Carolina Legislative Building for the announcement, which keeps the asphalt oval on the Cup Series schedule for another year. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 550 words by 2 p.m., photo.
____
SOUTH CAROLINA
ALEX MURDAUGH-MONEY
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Attorneys for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh want the federal government to take over whatever is left of the millions of dollars and other assets the convicted murderer stole and earned through his legal work. The assets have been under state control for nearly two years, but Murdaugh’s attorneys say the federal government won’t charge the hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees that the people watching over the state’s work have been paid. The lawyers handlings the assets for the state, who are called receivers, shot back with demands that Murdaugh’s lawyers reveal how much they have been paid. The receivers have already denied a request from Murdaugh’s attorneys for more money. By Jeffrey Collins. SENT: 650 words, photos.
DEPUTY SHOT-SOUTH CAROLINA
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. — Several schools along the South Carolina coast have been closed as authorities search for a man who they say shot two people, including a sheriff’s deputy. Charleston County deputies have been searching for Ernest Robert Burbage III on Johns Island since about noon Wednesday, when they said he fired shots, wounding a person and hitting a car. Authorities say SWAT team member and Charleston County Master Deputy James Gilbreath was shot in the head Wednesday but was conscious and alert. Officials haven’t released the condition of the other person wounded. A high school, middle school and three elementary schools on Johns Island have been closed because of concerns about student safety. SENT: 230 words.
____
VIRGINIA
YOUTUBE-PRANKSTER SHOT
LEESBURG, Va. — A Virginia jury has begun deliberations in the trial of a DoorDash driver charged with shooting a YouTube prankster who followed him around a mall food court earlier this year. Alan Colie of Leesburg is charged with aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting of Tanner Cook at Dulles Town Center. The shooting set off a panic over fears of an active shooter. Cook runs the “Classified Goons” channel on YouTube and has a history of filming provocative stunts. Video of the shooting shows Cook following Colie and holding a cellphone in front of Colie’s face. Colie says he was acting in self defense. By Matthew Barakat. SENT: 510 words.
____
MARYLAND/DELAWARE
TECH CEO FOUND DEAD
BALTIMORE — Police say a man wanted in the killing of a Baltimore tech entrepreneur has been arrested. Acting Baltimore police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a news conference Thursday that police had been searching for Jason Billingsley, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Pava LaPere, since last week as a suspect in a separate rape and arson. Baltimore police found LaPere dead Monday with signs of blunt force trauma in her apartment complex after she was reported missing. The Johns Hopkins University graduate founded the tech startup EcoMap Technologies while she was still a college student. Billingsley was released from prison last October after earning good behavior credits to reduce the time he served for 2013 sexual assault. By Brian Witte and Lea Skene. SENT: 800 words, photos.
NEW LAWS-MARYLAND
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gun control laws will take effect in Maryland on Sunday. The laws were approved in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended a requirement to demonstrate a particular need for a license to carry a concealed gun in public. But they are being challenged in federal court. Meanwhile, the state’s statute of limitations for when civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse can be filed against institutions is set to end, and lawsuits are expected to be filed soon. Officials with the Archdiocese of Baltimore have been weighing filing for bankruptcy protection. By Brian Witte. SENT: 680 words, photo.
____
LOCALIZATION
AUTO-WORKERS-STRIKE-LOCALIZE IT: Auto workers have expanded their strike against major carmakers. The United Auto Workers on Friday walked out of dozens more factories across 20 states. The UAW’s targeted strikes against General Motors, Stellantis and Ford began after the union’s contract with the companies expired at midnight on Sept. 14. We list the city and state of each strike location along with tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
VEHICLES VS. PEDESTRIANS-LOCALIZE IT: Roadway deaths in the U.S. are mounting despite government test data showing vehicles have been getting safer. While the number of all car-related fatalities has trended upward over the last decade, pedestrians and cyclists have seen the sharpest rise: over 60% between 2011 and 2022. We provide links to national and state data and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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.
____
AUDIO
Biden makes defending democracy a touchstone in his reelection campaign — and a rejoinder to Trump
Powerball jackpot rises to $925 million after another drawing without a big winner
Michael Gambon, actor who played Prof. Dumbledore in 6 ‘Harry Potter’ movies, dies at age 82
Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service bows out as its red-and-white envelopes make their final trip
____
NEW TO STORYSHARE: SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM NETWORK
Looking for more state news and photos? Sign up to participate in AP StoryShare, an online platform where news organizations from a growing list of states share content.
Besides state and regional news, StoryShare offers distinctive reporting around broad topics such as climate, education and Indigenous affairs. The platform now also has a network devoted to solutions-focused journalism.
Access to StoryShare is free for AP members. For account information, contact Jennifer Lehman at jlehman@ap.org or our team at storyshare@ap.org.
——————————
If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
——————————
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
