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
NORTH CAROLINA-ELECTION CHANGES
RALEIGH, N.C. — Another federal lawsuit has been filed in North Carolina challenging provisions in a new wide-ranging state elections law that critics say will discourage wrongly young adults from voting using a proper method. The complaint filed on Tuesday by voter advocacy and civil rights groups marks the third such lawsuit filed in central North Carolina federal court since the bill became law Oct. 10. That’s the day the Republican-controlled General Assembly overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the measure. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 500 words by 3 p.m.
BANK OF AMERICA RESULTS
NEW YORK — Bank of America posted a 10% rise in third quarter profits, helped by higher interest rates that allowed the bank to charge more for loans while keeping the bank’s expenses under control. However, CEO Brian Moynihan warned Tuesday that Americans continue to slow their spending after burning through pandemic savings and now face higher costs due to inflation. By Ken Sweet. SENT: 270 words, photo.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
ALEX MURDAUGH-APPEAL
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An appeals court in South Carolina is allowing Alex Murdaugh to ask a judge to throw out his murder convictions and life sentence and get a new trial after his lawyers accused the court clerk in his trial of influencing the jury. The one-paragraph decision Tuesday likely opens the door for a full hearing where witnesses who would have to testify under oath. Those witnesses could include Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill, the jurors and even Judge Clifton Newman. A time or place or the scope of the hearing will be determined later. But even if his conviction is overturned, Murdaugh won’t walk out of prison because he pleaded guilty to financial crimes last month. By Jeffrey Collins. SENT: 650 words, photo.
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VIRGINIA
ELECTION 2024-YOUNGKIN
RICHMOND, Va. — Speculation that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin might jump in the race for president has long swirled and could be set to further escalate, depending on the outcome of next month’s legislative elections in the state. Youngkin is holding a major donor retreat this week. While the Republican hasn’t offered a firm public no on the possibility of a 2024 bid, he says his focus is on Virginia. If Youngkin did ultimately run, he would face logistical difficulties in putting together a last-minute campaign, ballot access hurdles and skepticism from some Republican voters who either don’t know him well or are locked in on former President Donald Trump. By Sarah Rankin and Michelle L. Price. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
IN BRIEF:
— POLICE SHOOTING-WEST VIRGINIA — Police say an armed federal fugitive suspected of breaking into homes was fatally shot when he pointed a rifle at West Virginia state troopers who were attempting to arrest him.
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MARYLAND/DELAWARE
CHOICE-HOTELS-WYNDHAM
Wyndham says its board is unanimously rejecting Choice Hotels’ unsolicited buyout offer worth nearly $8 billion. Earlier, Choice Hotels International said it was asking shareholders of Wyndham to sign off on the proposed buyout after Wyndham broke off negotiations. Choice was offering $49.50 in cash and 0.324 shares of Choice common stock for each Wyndham share they own. Choice operates about 7,500 hotels and seeks to absorb a much larger chain in Wyndham, which operates nearly 9,300 hotels. Like most hotels, it has benefited from booming travel in recent years. By Michelle Chapman. SENT: 600 words, photo.
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LOCALIZATION
FBI CRIME REPORT-LOCALIZE IT: Three-and-a-half years after the COVID-19 pandemic created turmoil that included a big spike in crime, new data released by the FBI shows that violence crime incidents have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The data provides an opportunity for local media to drill down and examine crime numbers in their area. We provide resources and suggested reporting threads. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ELECTIONS-COMBATING CONSPIRACIES-LOCALIZE IT: A grassroots pro-democracy group led by a Republican former state senator is trying to build trust in elections by hosting forums in small towns throughout Wisconsin. The Keep Our Republic group is working with local officials to organize community events meant to teach residents about the election process and combat election conspiracy theories in the swing state. But at one recent town hall in a Republican-leaning village, they faced an uphill fight as they grapple with what many have described as an almost faith-like pull of conspiracy theories being promoted through online misinformation and far-right figures. This guide explains how the fight against election denialism in Wisconsin can offer a deeper understanding of what is needed to report out this issue in your own community. Find the latest Localize It guides.
FBC-TURF WARS-LOCALIZE IT: Over the last 50 years, the number of artificial turf fields at the top level of college football has essentially doubled to 71% of the total. Many schools find turf is cheaper to maintain, particularly for concerts or other non-athletic events, even though there are concerns about athlete injuries. We provide a list of schools that currently use grass fields and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
EDUCATION-TECH SPENDING-LOCALIZE IT: An infusion of federal pandemic relief to America’s schools sparked a boom in the education technology sector, an industry where research and evidence are scarce. An Associated Press analysis of public records finds that districts spent tens of millions of dollars on apps, games and tutoring websites. Schools often have little or no evidence that the programs helped students, and some were rarely used. We offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ELECTIONS-MISINFORMATION-LOCALIZE IT: The 2024 election is just around the corner, and misinformation around voting and elections persist. Expertise in voting procedures and trends is crucial to both debunking online falsehoods and effectively covering elections. This guide offers tips for distinguishing fact from fiction around elections, including the measures governments are taking to safeguard voting and the realistic threats to local elections. Find the latest Localize It guides.
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AUDIO
Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread
Georgia deputy shoots, kills Black man who spent 16 years in prison on wrongful conviction
US regulators investigate GM’s Cruise division over incidents involving pedestrians in roadways
New York City limiting migrant families with children to 60-day shelter stays to ease strain on city
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