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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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
NORTH CAROLINA-ELECTION 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. — Candidate filing for the March primary elections ends at midday Friday. The 2024 elections feature races for governor, attorney general, several other statewide positions and all of the seats in the U.S. House delegation and in the General Assembly. By Gary Robertson. UPCOMING: 700 words by 2:30 p.m.
UNC CHANCELLOR-NORTH CAROLINA
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has named a former senior staffer for former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory as its interim chancellor. A Friday UNC-Chapel Hill news release says that Lee Roberts will take over for Kevin Guskiewicz. Guskiewicz is leaving in January to become the president of Michigan State University. Roberts is a finance executive who previously served as state budget director. The announcement comes amid Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s complaints that “hard right” legislative appointees are damaging the school’s reputation. Roberts says he plans to do the “nonpartisan job” in a “nonpartisan way.” By James Pollard. SENT: 320 words.
GEORGIA ELECTION INDICTMENT
ATLANTA — A panel of federal appeals court judges has heard arguments on whether charges against Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in a sprawling Georgia election case should be moved. They are expressing some skepticism that the relevant statute applies to former officials. Meadows says his case should move out of state court because he is covered under the Federal Officer Removal Statute, which allows federal officials to move legal cases against them to federal court when they are related to their official duties. A federal judge ruled against him in September, and a three-judge appeals panel heard arguments on the case Friday. The panel didn’t immediately rule. By Kate Brumback. SENT: 740 words, photo.
STATE AUDITOR-NORTH CAROLINA
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors for misusing a state-issued vehicle for personal activities. The plea and resulting 12 months of unsupervised probation happened in Wake County court Friday — the day resigned from the post she’s held for 15 years. The sentencing and resignation appear to complete a year in which Wood’s driving ultimately led to her departure as auditor. She pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor hit-and-run after she ran her state-owned vehicle into a parked car. Gov. Roy Cooper already picked Jessica Holmes to fill Wood’s term through 2024. SENT: 440 words, photo.
PLANE CRASH-HIGHWAY
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities say a small plane crashed on a western North Carolina highway and caught fire, but the two people on board escaped life-threatening injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration says the single-engine plane crashed on Interstate 26 near Asheville Regional Airport on Thursday night with two people aboard. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says the plane was descending to land at the airport when it hit power lines and a tractor-trailer. The people aboard were able to get out before the plane caught fire escaping with minor injuries. The truck driver wasn’t hurt. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. SENT: 130 words, photos.
____
SOUTH CAROLINA
LONGLEAF-PINE-PRESCRIBED-BURNS
WEST END, N.C. — As the U.S. tries to restore a key forest ecosystem in the Southeast, landowners must light more fires on private property. The so-called “prescribed burns” are key to clearing forest debris and allowing pine cones to drop seeds onto the floor. That’s important for longleaf pine, a resilient tree species that evolved in a natural fire cycle. Forestry experts say volunteer prescribed burn associations are spreading the practice to private landowners, who are crucial to the restoration and unreached by many agencies. A North Carolina group finds the practice draws people closer to the land and their neighbors. One member says it’s “empowering” and a “tangible way to connect to the past and also guide the future.” By James Pollard. SENT: 1,200 words, photos, video.
____
VIRGINIA
SCHOOL SHOOTING-NEWPORT NEWS
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The mother of a 6-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia is scheduled to be sentenced for felony child neglect. Friday’s court hearing comes nearly a year after Deja Taylor’s son used her handgun to critically wound teacher Abby Zwerner. Prosecutors recommend six months behind bars. The classroom shooting shocked the nation and roiled the military shipbuilding city of Newport News. Zwerner was shot in the hand and chest. She has since undergone multiple surgeries and frequent psychological counseling. Taylor’s son told authorities he took the gun from his mother’s purse on top of a dresser. By Ben Finley. SENT: 570 words, photo.
____
MARYLAND/DELAWARE
ORIOLES LEASE
ANNAPOIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says a long-term agreement between the Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority for a new lease at Camden Yards is moving forward for a vote by state officials next week. The governor announced the agreement is slated to go before the Maryland Stadium Authority on Monday. It also is expected to go before the state’s Board of Public Works later that day. The Orioles confirmed the agreement in a statement. The Orioles’ lease at Camden Yards, which is owned by the state of Maryland, expires at the end of the year. By Brian Witte. SENT: 470 words, photos.
SEX AND THE CITIES
There are more women than men in some of the largest urban U.S. counties east of the Mississippi River, on the Eastern Seaboard and in the Deep South. That ratio is reversed in the West, where there are more men in the most populous counties. Figures released last week from the 2022 American Community Survey show that sex ratios vary by geography. That is in part due to gender imbalance in tech companies and the fact that places with large numbers of colleges or universities draw more women. The numbers don’t reflect sexual preference or gender identity. By Mike Schneider. SENT: 830 words, photos.
____
LOCALIZATION
US–SEX AND THE CITIES-LOCALIZE IT: There are more women than men in some of the largest urban U.S. counties east of the Mississippi River, on the Eastern Seaboard and in the Deep South. That ratio is reversed in the West, according to new data from the Census Bureau. We walk you through how to find local data and offer reporting suggestions. Find the latest Localize It guides.
HKO–PLAYER DEATH-YOUTH HOCKEY-LOCALIZE IT: The death of hockey player Adam Johnson from a skate blade cut to his throat has renewed debate over whether there needs to be uniform standards and mandates for neck guards and other safety equipment in youth hockey. USA Hockey currently recommends guards but does not mandate them. We provide resources and suggestions for reporting this story locally. Find the latest Localize It guides.
US-EDUCATION-VIRTUAL COUNSELING-LOCALIZE IT: As schools across the U.S. grapple with the student mental health crisis, the use of telehealth therapy for K-12 students has skyrocketed. Video counseling at school was never an option before the pandemic but is now so prevalent it exists in 16 of the 20 largest U.S. school districts. The rapid rise reflects the pressure schools face to address the crisis amid a shortage of counselors at a time of unprecedented federal education spending on mental health. We offer suggestions for reporting this story in your own district. Find the latest Localize It guides.
US-FEDERAL FUNDING-FERRIES-LOCALIZE IT: The Biden administration announced Thursday it will issue $220 million in grants to modernize the country’s ferry systems and replace some aging vessels with electric boats. Twelve ferry operators across nine states and territories will receive grants. We link to the grant details and offer localization tips. Find the latest Localize It guides.
US–INVASIVE-CARP-LOCALIZE IT: State and federal agencies have spent millions of dollars to stop the spread of invasive carp still threatening the health of waters in the upper Midwest, including a recent data-backed effort using transmitters to track individual fish and net large numbers of them. We offer resources and suggestions for pursuing this story locally. Find the latest Localize It guides.
US-EPA-LEAD-AND-COPPER-LOCALIZE IT: Most U.S. cities will have to replace all of their lead water pipes within 10 years under a new Biden administration plan. It’s the most significant strengthening of lead regulations in more than three decades — since the original comprehensive lead rules were enacted in 1991. We offer additional context, reporting tips and details on some of the funding available. Find the latest Localize It guides.
HOMELESSNESS-ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS-LOCALIZE IT: More cities across the U.S. are cracking down on homeless tent encampments that have grown more visible and become unsafe. Homeless people and their advocates say encampment sweeps are cruel and costly, but government officials say it’s unacceptable to let encampments fester. We offer tips for localizing the story including how to request data on the number of sweeps. Find the latest Localize It guides.
____
AUDIO
Americans agree that the 2024 election will be pivotal for democracy, but for different reasons
How the US keeps funding Ukraine’s military — even as it says it’s out of money
Why more women live in major East Coast counties while men outnumber them in the West
Amazon, Target and more will stop selling water beads marketed to kids due to rising safety concerns
____
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.
