AP News Digest 6 p.m.
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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NEW & DEVELOPING
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Adds: POLICE SHOOTING-WISCONSIN, FILM-BOX-OFFICE, UNITED-AIRLINES-CHANGE-FEE.
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PORTLAND-PROTESTS — The founder of Patriot Prayer, a right-wing group whose supporters have frequently clashed with left-wing protesters in Portland, Oregon, said Sunday that the man fatally shot in Oregon’s largest city was a supporter of the group and a “good friend.” Police issued a plea for videos, photos or eyewitness accounts of the killing late Saturday night, which happened about 15 minutes after a caravan of about 600 vehicles that were part of a pro-Trump rally left downtown. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 950 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP — Democrats accuse President Donald Trump of trying to inflame racial tensions as he unleashes a flurry of tweets about a deadly clash between his supporters and protesters in Portland, Oregon, and announces a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin, the site of another shooting of a Black man by police. By Jill Colvin. SENT: 1,170 words, photos.
TROPICAL WEATHER-AIR HAZARDS — Hazardous emissions from a chlorine plant fire, shuttered oil and gas refineries and still-to-be assessed plant damage are seeping into the air after Hurricane Laura, according to regulators. But some key state and federal monitors to alert the public of air dangers remain offline in Louisiana. By Ellen Knickmeyer. SENT: 880 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-POSTAL SERVICE — During its search for a new postmaster general, the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company. Not on the list: Louis DeJoy, who ultimately got the job. How exactly DeJoy was hired is among the questions Congress is trying to unravel as lawmakers scrutinize a series of operational changes at the Postal Service that have resulted in widespread mail delays and fears that the agency will not be able to handle an expected surge in mail-in ballots this fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. By Matthew Daly, Brian Slodysko and Anthony Izaguirre. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. An abridged version of 950 words is also available.
ELECTION-2020-VOTING-VIRUS-Q&A — Finger coverings for voters using touchscreen ballot machines. Single-use pens instead of “I Voted” stickers. Separate voting stations for people who have tested positive for the coronavirus. These are just some ways state and local election officials are managing the upcoming presidential election amid the COVID-19 pandemic. SENT: 980 words, photos.
CHADWICK BOSEMAN-IMPACT — Kobe Bryant. Rep. John Lewis. And now, Chadwick Boseman. So far, 2020 has been marred with bad news and tragedy with the deaths of several popular Black icons including Bryant, Lewis and recently Boseman. All three were viewed as leaders in their respective fields of sports, politics and film — places where people, particularly in the Black community, have often looked for inspiration during a year of racial tension and protests against the police brutality of unarmed Black people. By Jonathan Landrum Jr. SENT: 760 words, photos. WITH: CHADWICK BOSEMAN-DISNEY TRIBUTE — ABC to air ‘Black Panther’ as tribute to Chadwick Boseman. SENT: 170 words, photos.
LEBANON-BLAMING-HEZBOLLAH — The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has come under unprecedented criticism in the wake of Beirut’s massive explosion. So far, no evidence has emerged of a direct Hezbollah role in the blast earlier this month that killed at least 180 people and wrecked thousands of homes. But the Iranian-backed Shiite force is the most powerful faction in Lebanon’s politics, and it and its allies formed the outgoing government. By Sarah El Deeb. SENT: 1,170 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight. WITH: LEBANON — Lebanese Hezbollah says it’s open to reformist government. SENT: 550 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FRANCE — Not all French classrooms can safely reopen Tuesday, the country’s education minister acknowledged, as a persistent rise in coronavirus infections jeopardizes the government’s push to get France’s 12.9 million schoolchildren back into class this week. SENT: 700 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE VOTERS — Colleges are reopening with more online learning, and that’s proving a challenge for political campaigns, parties and voter registration groups trying to register students. They’re trying to figure out how to reach young voters when campuses are empty and students are scattered across the country. Democrats are more dependent on college voters’ support and, in a traditional campaign, their volunteerism. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
GERMANY-VIRUS-PROTEST — Senior German officials on Sunday condemned attempts by far-right protesters and others to storm the parliament building following a protest against the country’s pandemic restrictions. SENT: 510 words, photos.
VATICAN-THE-POPE-AND-THE-PANDEMIC — During the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has been deprived of the crowds, foreign travel and visits to poor neighborhoods that have so defined his papacy. He resumes physical contact with his flock this week with revived Wednesday general audiences. But there’s no telling when or how more ambitious public gatherings and travel might return. What does all this mean for the 83-year-old globe-trotting pope and his ministry to the 1.2-billion-member Catholic Church? By Nicole Winfield. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA — India registers a record new 78,761 coronavirus cases, the highest single-day spike in the world since the pandemic began, just as the government began easing restrictions to help the battered economy. The surge raises India’s tally to over 3.5 million, and came as the government announces the reopening of subway in capital New Delhi. SENT: 390 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage of the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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FILM-BOX-OFFICE — The first wave of big new movies released since the beginning of the pandemic, including Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending thriller “Tenet” and the long-delayed “X-Men” spinoff “The New Mutants,” arrived in theaters over the weekend, testing the waters of a radically different theatrical landscape. SENT: 810 words, photos.
UNITED-AIRLINES-CHANGE-FEE — United Airlines says it listened to customers and is dropping an unpopular $200 fee for most people who change a ticket for travel within the United States. SENT: 430 words.
SPAIN-FOREST-FIRE — Wildfire forces over 3,100 to evacuate in Spain’s Andalusia. SENT: 180 words, photos.
TAIWAN-ROGUE-KITE — 3-year-old girl safe after being lofted by kite in Taiwan. SENT: 90 words, photos.
GERMANY-CROCODILE SIGHTING — Swimming ban in German river after claims crocodile sighted. SENT: 90 words, photos.
ZIMBABWE-ELEPHANT-DEATHS — Zimbabwe investigates mysterious deaths of 11 elephants. SENT: 250 words.
CHINA-BUILDING COLLAPSE — China restaurant collapses during birthday party, killing 29. SENT: 210 words, photos.
VENICE-FILM-FESTIVAL-PHOTO-GALLERY — Canals, carpets and kisses: Fun moments from Venice festival. SENT: 250 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON
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ELECTION SECURITY — Racing the political clock, frustrated Democrats are searching for a way to force the Trump administration to continue briefing Congress in person about foreign attempts to interfere in the November election. By Laurie Kellman. SENT: 680 words, photos.
TELEHEALTH-AFTER THE PANDEMIC — The use of telehealth visits during the pandemic took off after Medicare temporarily relaxed restrictions that predated the smartphone era. Consultations via tablets and phones were a boon to patients and doctors unable to visit face to face when society shut down. Now there’s a push to make telemedicine a permanent mainstay of the government’s flagship health program. But it’s going to take involvement by Congress to do away with the old restrictions. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 890 words, photos.
Find more coverage of the conventions and Election 2020 on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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POLICE SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — Scores of police supporters have gathered in downtown Kenosha where protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality since the shooting of Jacob Blake last weekend. SENT: 700 words, photos.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-BREONNA TAYLOR — Kentucky’s attorney general has received a long-awaited FBI ballistics report in the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor. Attorney General Daniel Cameron tweeted that there is additional analysis needed now that the report is in his hands, and there would be no announcement on the investigation this week. SENT: 320 words, photos.
MEDICAID EXPANSION-MISSISSIPPI — After voters expanded Medicaid in conservative states like Missouri and Oklahoma, health care advocates are renewing a push for expansion in Mississippi and other Southern states where Republican leaders have long been opposed. They say the changing tide has followed rising income inequality, joblessness and pressure from hospitals in economic turmoil — issues exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 710 words, photo.
CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES-WINE-COUNTRY — Wildfire has been cruel to Northern California wine country lately. While the majority of vineyards, winemaking facilities and tasting rooms that lure tourists have escaped damage from the latest wildfires, the perception that the area is on fire yet again has not helped business. Add restrictions on winery tastings and dining during the coronavirus pandemic and winemakers say they are reeling. SENT: 960 words, photos.
TROPICAL WEATHER — Families in coastal Louisiana are sifting through their destroyed homes and taking stock of their options after Hurricane Laura ripped through the area. Bradley Beard scoured the remains of his shattered home in the hard-hit community of Hackberry. Both his home and his daughter’s mobile home were destroyed by the Category 4 hurricane that slammed into the Gulf Coast on Thursday. Laura packed 150-mph winds and a destructive storm surge. Sixteen deaths in Louisiana and Texas have been attributed to the storm. By Nomaan Merchant. SENT: 880 words, photos, video. WITH: TRUMP — Trump surveys Hurricane Laura damage in post-convention trip (sent).
Find more coverage of Hurricane Laura in AP Newsroom.
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BELARUS-PROTESTS — Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in the Belarusian capital of Minsk to begin the fourth week of daily protests demanding that the country’s authoritarian president resign. The protests began after an Aug. 9 presidential election that protesters say was rigged but that election officials say gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office. SENT: 490 words, photos.
AFGHANISTAN — Afghanistan’s president has appointed a council for national reconciliation, which will have final say on whether the government will sign a peace deal with the Taliban after what are expected to be protracted and uncertain negotiations with the insurgents. SENT: 760 words, photos.
MONTENEGRO-ELECTION — Voters in Montenegro cast ballots in a tense election that is pitting the long-ruling pro-Western party against the opposition seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia. The parliamentary vote is marked by a dispute over a law on religious rights that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church. SENT: 640 words, photos.
ISRAEL-US — White House adviser Jared Kushner trumpeted the recent agreement by Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish diplomatic relations as a historic breakthrough and said “the stage is now set” for other Arab states to follow suit, but he gave no indication that any new deals were imminent. SENT: 690 words, photos.
ITALY-MIGRANTS — Fire erupted on a migrants’ sailboat off the coast of southern Italy on Sunday, and Italian news reports said at least four perished and others were missing in the sea, the latest drama in the nation’s struggle to deal with hundreds of migrants reaching its shores this summer. SENT: 590 words, photos.
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MUSIC-MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS — BET flawlessly launched an awards show during the coronavirus pandemic, and MTV will have its turn to put on an all-star event at a time when live shows have limitations and restrictions. By Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 680 words, photos. UPCOMING: Will be updated, show begins at 8 p.m.
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TEN-US OPEN — The 2020 U.S. Open will begin Monday -- as scheduled, albeit without any spectators. Some top players are missing, too. It could mean there’s a more wide-open chance for someone to claim his or her first Grand Slam trophy. By Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich. SENT: 800 words, photos.
CYC--TOUR DE FRANCE — France’s fastest showman on two wheels is back making a splash at the Tour de France and once again wearing the iconic yellow jersey. Julian Alaphilippe, the rider who more than any other helped turn the 2019 edition into a thriller, again showered the Tour with his class and guile Sunday, poaching victory on Stage 2 in the picture-postcard Mediterranean city of Nice and taking the overall race lead.. By Sports Writers John Leicester and Samuel Petrequin. SENT: 520 words, photos.
RAC-HORSE-RACING-LABOR-SHORTAGE — As they prepare for the Kentucky Derby, horse racing officials are warning that President Donald Trump’s immigration orders threaten to cause a labor shortage for the industry. Trainers say that despite record unemployment nationwide during the coronavirus pandemic, American workers aren’t coming in to fill empty spots and the migrant workers they’ve come to rely on aren’t being allowed in because of an executive order. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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