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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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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:
SHOOTING-GOLDSBORO — Police in North Carolina say a 14-year-old girl was killed and five other people were wounded in a shooting during a gathering at a home.
SOUTH CAROLINA
US ELECTION 2024-SCOTT NEW HAMPSHIRE — South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott visits New Hampshire to talk with voters and religious leaders at the Red Arrow Diner during breakfast. By HRAMER. UPCOMING , By 1:00 p.m. EDT, photo, video.
ABORTION — THINGS TO KNOW — A court ruling late Wednesday keeps an abortion pill available, clarifying the U.S. abortion landscape but not settling it. The decision overrules another judge’s ruling from last week that would have halted prescribing of the drug mifepristone starting Saturday. Wednesday’s decision comes with catches, and either side could appeal it to the Supreme Court. Other court and legislative action underway could shape abortion access in individual states. Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a ban on abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, and Florida could pass a similar measure as early as this week. Iowa’s top court is considering whether tighter restrictions can be put into place there. SENT: 900 words.
VIRGINIA
CAPITOL RIOT-GUN CHARGE — A former Navy reservist who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison on firearms charges. SENT: 570 words.
CAPITOL RIOT-SENTENCINGS — A U.S. Capitol police officer who tried to help a Virginia fisherman avoid criminal charges for storming the building his law enforcement colleagues defended was sentenced on Thursday to two years of probation and four months of home detention. SENT: 700 words.
BLACK POLICE CHIEFS — Black police chiefs, commissioners, sheriffs and commanders from across the country are set to meet this weekend in Detroit for the annual CEO symposium of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The meeting’s agenda, spread across Friday and Saturday, includes panels on diversity, equity and inclusion, best practices for mental health responses in policing, and managing the response to mass shootings. But it will be the first national symposium since the beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, reignited a national reckoning over police use of force and sparked a debate about the value of diversity among police leadership and the rank in file. SENT: 1166 words.
BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE — The Biden administration is closing out a three-week push to highlight the benefits of infrastructure investments in local communities by awarding nearly $300 million to help repair or replace more than a dozen bridges. Events in several states Thursday will mark the end of the beginning phase of a more expansive White House push to remind voters of Biden’s accomplishments. During the Biden administration’s “Investing in America” tour, officials held more than 50 events across 25 states at projects benefiting from laws passed during the Democratic president’s first two years in office. Events Thursday will be for projects in Virginia, Washington, upstate New York, rural South Carolina and Wisconsin. SENT: 500 words.
MARYLAND/DELAWARE
VOTING MACHINES-DEFAMATION CASE — WILMINGTON, Del. —- Jury selection has begun behind closed doors in a defamation lawsuit seeking to hold Fox News responsible for repeatedly airing false claims related to the 2020 presidential election. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis previously made clear that the selection would be done out of public view to protect the privacy and safety of jury members. The judge on Thursday noted that the case has received international media attention. Colorado-based Dominion Voting Systems alleges that Fox damaged the company by repeatedly airing false allegations that its machines and the software it used were rigged in the 2020 presidential election to prevent Donald Trump’s reelection. SENT: 370 words.
SPORTS
BBA–ATHLETICS-ORIOLES — BALTIMORE — Cole Irvin of the Orioles takes the mound against his former team when Baltimore hosts Oakland. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 1 p.m. ET. UPCOMING , By 4:30 p.m. EDT, photo.
HKN–DEVILS-CAPITALS — WASHINGTON — The New Jersey Devils can win a division title for the first time since 2010 if they beat the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes lose to the Florida Panthers. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m.
HKN–HURRICANES-PANTHERS — The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Florida Panthers. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. UPCOMING By 7:00 p.m. EDT, photo.
FBN–NFL DRAFT-LEGACY PLAYERS — INDIANAPOLIS — Peter Skoronski looks like a custom-built NFL offensive lineman. But he might not even be the best player in his football-playing family. That honor still belongs to his grandfather, Bob, the offensive captain of Vince Lombardi’s five NFL championship teams. And in a draft class of family ties that run from Joey Porter Jr. to the Ojulari brothers, Skoronski and his stories stand apart. By Michael Marot. SENT: 800 words.
CAR–NASCAR-ELLIOTT RETURNS — Chase Elliott discusses the snowboarding accident in which he broke his leg, causing NASCAR’s most popular driver to miss six races. Elliott is scheduled to return Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. By AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m. EDT. By JFRYER. UPCOMING , By 4:00 p.m. EDT.
FBN–RAVENS-BECKHAM — OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens introduce newly acquired receiver Odell Beckham Jr. — with Lamar Jackson’s situation still looming large for the organization. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 5 p.m.
FBC–SOUTH CAROLINA-RATTLER RETURN — South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler needed answers before deciding on the NFL. He got all the right ones from his teammates and new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to stick around for another season. By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 600 words.
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LOCALIZATION
TRANSGENDER HEALTH-LOCALIZE IT — Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is increasingly under attack in many states and has lately been subject to restrictions or outright bans. We provide suggestions and resources for localizing the story.
PHILANTHROPY-VOLUNTEERISM-LOCALIZE IT — As pandemic-related government aid programs end and inflation rises, nonprofits of all kinds are looking everywhere and trying everything to get volunteers. The Associated Press has produced a series of stories set to run beginning April 16, which is the start of National Volunteer Week. We are making our first story, US–Volunteering-Data, a Localize It guide and an audio Q&A with AP reporter Thalia Beaty available early on embargo as background for your reporting. Find the latest Localize It guides here.
VIDEO
Trump defiant, after indictments
Bragg lays out case against Trump
Trump supporters gather in NYC
Storms bring large hail to Iowa
AUDIO
Biden says he’s expanding some migrants’ health care access
Court preserves access to abortion drug, tightens rules
After calls to resign, Feinstein seeks Judiciary replacement
HARDY, Lainey Wilson lead ACM Awards nominees
U.S. STORIES
ABORTION PILL — A federal appeals court has ruled that the abortion pill mifepristone can still be used for now but reduced the period of pregnancy when the drug can be taken and said it could not be dispensed by mail. The decision late Wednesday temporarily narrowed a ruling by a lower court judge in Texas that had completely blocked the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the nation’s most commonly used method of abortion. Still, preventing the pill from being sent by mail amounts to another significant curtailing of abortion access. The case is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
FLORIDA-FLOODING — South Florida is keeping a wary eye on a forecast that calls for rain a day after nearly a foot fell in a matter of hours. The rains caused widespread flooding, closed the Fort Lauderdale airport and turned thoroughfares into rivers. Fort Lauderdale issued a state of emergency as flood conditions continued through many areas. Emergency crews worked through the night to attend rescue calls, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths. SENT: 560 words, photos.
TENNESSEE LAWMAKERS-EXPULSION — The second of two Black Democrats expelled from the Republican-led Tennessee House has been reinstated. Memphis Rep. Justin Pearson was sworn in outside the state Capitol on Thursday, a week after he and Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville were banished for a gun control protest on the floor of the House. Their expulsion propelled them into the national spotlight. The positions are interim. Both plan to run in special elections for their seats. SENT: 800 words, photos.
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING-THE ECHOES — In the decade since the Boston Marathon bombing, the streets and sidewalks have been repaired, and memorials stand at the site of the explosions to remember the three who died. But the healing continues. And, for many, the race itself is an important part. Bombing survivors with no previous interest in distance running made it a bucket-list goal. For others, friends and family entered on their behalf. Doctors and first responders and others affected by the attacks on April 15, 2013, have also been drawn back to the race on the Massachusetts holiday of Patriots’ Day. The 127th Boston Marathon is Monday. SENT: 2,600 words, photos.
BLACK HOLE IMAGE — The first image of a black hole captured in 2019 is getting a makeover. Researchers on Thursday revealed an updated version, which they made using artificial intelligence. The black hole still looks like a fuzzy, orange doughnut-shaped object in a galaxy 53 million light-years from Earth. But it now has a skinnier ring and a darker center, which researchers think is more accurate. SENT: 260 words, photo.
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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.
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