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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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
TOYOTA-INVESTMENT-NORTH-CAROLINA
RALEIGH, N.C. — Toyota will invest an additional $8 billion in the hybrid and electric vehicle battery factory it’s constructing in North Carolina. The investment more than doubles the company’s prior investments and expected number of new jobs. The Japanese automotive manufacturer projects the new investment will bring the job creation total to more than 5,000 when the plant begins operations in 2025. The location near Greensboro will serve as Toyota’s epicenter of lithium-ion battery production in North America. It will be a key supplier for the Kentucky-based plant tasked with building Toyota’s first U.S.-made electric vehicles. By Hannah Schoenbaum. SENT: 580 words, photo.
LABOR COMMISSIONER-ELEVATORS
RALEIGH, N.C. — Elevator riders in North Carolina soon won’t have the eyes of the state labor commissioner staring at them, at least for the near future. Commissioner Josh Dobson had followed longtime predecessor Cherie Berry’s practice of affixing his photo to elevator inspection certificates — bringing attention to the otherwise little-known post. But Dobson said Monday that when the certification form was recently redesigned to add a new sentence, the photo was eliminated. UPCOMING: 370 words by 3 p.m.
____
VIRGINIA
ELECTION 2023-VIRGINIA SENATE
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A race that could determine control of Virginia’s state legislature will not be a standard battle between a Democrat and a Republican. It also features a credible independent candidate who happens to be a former stripper. And then there’s the write-in campaign of a right-wing restaurateur who specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. The free-wheeling Senate District 27 race in the Fredericksburg area features Republican Delegate Tara Durant and Democrat Joel Griffin. But the dynamics are upended by the independent bid of Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary. Republican Matt Strickland is also running as a write-in campaign. The race is a tossup that could determine control of the state Senate. By Matthew Barakat. SEN: 880 words, photos.
ELECTION 2023-VIRGINIA-ABORTION
RICHMOND, Va. — The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia is making a financial investment unprecedented in its history in this year’s election cycle because of the implications November’s legislative races will hold for abortion access and other policy decisions in the state. By Sarah Rankin. UPCOMING: 740 words, photo.
YOUNGKIN ORDER-ANTISEMITISM
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has issued an executive directive aimed at combatting antisemitism and other forms of anti-religious hatred amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The governor’s order issued Tuesday instructs law enforcement to share and coordinate more on potential antisemitic acts through a situation room. It also asks Virginia’s higher education institutions to submit updated comprehensive safety plans. Youngkin says protecting Jewish community centers and houses of worship is paramount but that the order is also meant to protect members of the Muslim faith who may be worried about a backlash amid the conflict. SENT: 370 words.
NEW ZEALAND-VOLCANO TRIAL
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A trial of New Zealand tourism operators accused of safety breaches after 22 people died in a 2019 volcanic eruption has ended with the last remaining defendant found guilty on one count. The three-month, judge-only trial against 13 groups already saw six plead guilty and six have charges against them dismissed. The charges were brought by regulators and carried fines as a maximum penalty. White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Indigenous Māori name Whakaari, had been a popular tourist destination leading up to the eruption. There were 47 tourists and tour guides on the island when superheated steam erupted, killing some people instantly and leaving others with agonizing burns. By Nick Perry. SENT: 360 words, photos. ____
MARYLAND/DELAWARE
SERIAL KILLER-TRIAL
Jurors hear opening statements and initial testimony in the trial of a suspected serial killer who calls himself “the Beast” and is accused in the deaths of several people in Delaware and Pennsylvania in 2021. Keith Gibson is being tried in Delaware for killing a cellphone store manager and another man in separate robberies. Pennsylvania authorities also have approved murder charges against him in four other slayings, including the killing of his mother. By Randall Chase. UPCOMING : 700 words by 5:30 p.m.
____
LOCALIZATION
BALLOT INITIATIVES-LOCALIZE IT: This year marks the 125th anniversary of South Dakota becoming the first state in the nation to enact a process for citizens to initiate ballot measures — a prominent example of direct democracy in America. Today about 165 million people live in 25 states with provisions that let residents bypass the legislature to amend the constitution and enact or repeal laws. We list out the states where these provisions exist, offer resources and suggest tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
SCHOOL VOUCHERS-COST-LOCALIZE IT: Some of the states letting higher-income families use taxpayer money for private school tuition are seeing more families than they expected taking them up on the offer, and they might have to scramble to shore up their budgets on the fly as a result. We name the states with these expanded programs and offer suggestions for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
EDUCATION-MATH-LOCALIZE IT: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, few American students were finishing high school prepared for college-level courses. In the aftermath of the virus-related school closures and disruptions, scores on standardized math tests fell to their lowest levels in two decades. The Education Reporting Collaborative, a coalition of eight newsrooms that includes The Associated Press, has produced a series of stories documenting the crisis, exploring root causes and highlighting progress. Digging into math can lead to stories about racial equity in classrooms, teacher preparation and sometimes heated debates over the best strategies for bringing children up to speed. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ELECTIONS-WORKER TURNOVER-LOCALIZE IT: Local election offices across the country are seeing historic turnover, an exodus fueled by election conspiracies and threats against election workers. We highlight AP’s findings and offer resources and tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides.
ISRAEL-HAMAS-STYLE GUIDE-LOCALIZE IT: This advisory includes AP’s latest guidance related to the Israel-Hamas war, including important context and definitions. Find the latest Localize It guides.
——————————
AUDIO
Maui police release 16 minutes of body camera footage from day of Lahaina wildfire
A teen bowler, a shipbuilder and a sign language interpreter are among the Maine shooting victims
Americans are still putting way too much food into landfills. Local officials seek EPA’s help
Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ cast mates mourn their friend, say they are ‘all so utterly devastated’
____
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.
