Deep South News Digest Advisory

| January 10, 2020 12:25 PM

Good evening! Here’s a look at how AP’s news coverage is shaping up today in the Deep South. Questions about today's coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to:

The Atlanta AP Bureau at 404-522-8971 or [email protected]

The Columbia AP Bureau at 803-799-5510 or [email protected]

The Montgomery AP Bureau at 334-262-5947 or [email protected]

The New Orleans AP Bureau at 504-523-3931 or [email protected]

The Jackson AP Bureau at 601-948-5897 or [email protected]

For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

Deep South Editor Jim Van Anglen can be reached at 1-800-821-3737 or [email protected]. Administrative Correspondent Rebecca Santana can be reached at 504-523-3931 or [email protected]. A reminder: this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date.

Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

GEORGIA (All times Eastern)

TOP STORIES:

SENATE-GEORGIA

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A former federal prosecutor who served under President Barack Obama said Friday he plans to join the race to challenge newly sworn-in Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia. Ed Tarver of Augusta, who served as U.S. attorney for Georgia's Southern District during Obama's two terms, is the second Democrat to confirm plans to seek the seat that three-term GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson left at the end of 2019 because of faltering health. By Russ Bynum. SENT: 351 words.

AP Photos transref:GASAV201.

ELECTION 2020-BLOOMBERG-ABRAMS

ATLANTA — Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg came to Georgia on Friday to meet influential Democrat Stacey Abrams and then rally a white-collar crowd of supporters around his late-starting, unusual White House campaign. His visit with Abrams and a private speech to a voting rights summit she hosted comes after disclosures that the billionaire former New York City mayor donated $5 million to the political action group Abrams founded after her narrow defeat in the 2018 Georgia governor’s race. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 585 words.

AP Photos transref:GAJB102, transref:GAJB04, transref:GAJB108, transref:GAJB107, transref:GAJB109, transref:GAJB110, transref:GAJB201, transref:GAJB203, transref:GAJB202, transref:GAJB101.

XGR-SOCIAL ISSUES

ATLANTA — With budget cuts likely to draw Georgia lawmakers’ attention and contentious 2020 elections on the horizon, one overarching question hangs over the legislative session that begins Monday: Will there be an appetite to take up divisive social issues again this year? Republican Gov. Brian Kemp entered office last year with a conservative wish list that included protecting gun rights and getting one of the strictest abortion laws in the country passed. Ben Nadler. SENT: 692 words.

AP Photos transref:NY116, transref:NY117.

NATIONAL GUARD INVESTIGATION

MADISON, Wis. — MADISON, Wis. (AP) â€” Gov. Tony Evers on Friday approved a member of the Georgia National Guard to serve as the Wisconsin National Guard's new sexual misconduct ombudsman. Lt. Col. Brian Bischoff will work with victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and retaliation and provide quarterly reports to Evers on complaints. SENT: 252 words.

SOUTHERN STORMS

UNDATED — Hurricane-force wind gusts and hail the size of baseballs could accompany potent storms that also threaten to spin up tornadoes and drench the South with heavy rains, forecasters said Friday. The national Storm Prediction Center said more than 18 million people in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma will be at an enhanced risk of storms Friday that could include strong tornadoes and flooding rains. The area includes several major Texas cities including Dallas, Houston and Austin. By Jeff Martin. SENT: 581 words.

IN BRIEF:

— SCHOOL LUNCH DEBT — Several organizations donated over $19,000 to wipe out nearly all of the school lunch debt for two school districts in metro Atlanta.

— BODY DISCOVERED — Police in Atlanta were searching for suspects in a wooded area on Thursday when they came across a decomposing body behind a home, a department spokeswoman confirmed.

IN SPORTS:

BKN--HAWKS-WIZARDS

WASHINGTON — Two of the Eastern Conference’s four worst teams meet Friday night when the Washington Wizards host the Atlanta Hawks. Starts at 7 p.m. ET. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

BKC—ACC THIS WEEK

UNDATED — A look at the upcoming week around the Atlantic Coast Conference: GAME OF THE WEEKEND By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 585 words.

AP Photos transref:NCGB103, transref:NCGB115.

BKC--SEC THIS WEEK

UNDATED — The Southeastern Conference’s top-ranked team faces the league’s top-ranked pro prospect when No. 5 puts its unbeaten record at stake by hosting Anthony Edwards and the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. The Georgia-Auburn matchup highlights the second weekend of conference play. By Steve Megargee. Sent: 500 words, with photos

BBN—BRAVES-ARBITRATION

ATLANTA — Shortstop Dansby Swanson and right-hander Mike Foltynewicz were among six Atlanta Braves who agreed to one-year contracts Friday and avoided salary arbitration. Swanson agreed at $3.15 million and Foltynewicz at $6,425,000. Also reaching deals were outfielder Adam Duvall ($3.25 million), right-hander Luke Jackson ($1,825,000), infielder Johan Camargo ($1.7 million) and left-hander Grant Dayton ($655,000). SENT: 421 words.

SOUTH CAROLINA (All times Eastern)

TOP STORIES:

ARSON DEATH

GEORGETOWN, S.C. — A mother in South Carolina has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for arranging a fire at her mobile home to get insurance money and killing her son, who she did not know was inside. The older brother of the boy is already serving 16 years in prison for the revenge killing of the man who set the fire in 2014, Solicitor Jimmy Richardson said. SENT: 468 words.

AP Photos transref:NY115.

PRISON CONTRABAND

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — Contraband valued at $35,000 was confiscated when the South Carolina Department of Corrections busted a smuggling operation involving a prison maintenance worker, an inmate and a local woman. Marijuana, cell phones, tobacco, rolling papers, phone chargers and lighters were among the items Michael Lynn Mattox, 55, was preparing to bring into the Lee Correctional Institution with the help of Jessica Nichole Colclough Frasier, 31, and the inmate, the Department of Corrections said in a statement issued Thursday. SENT: 198 words.

IN BRIEF:

— UTILITY REGULATORS — State lawmakers reviewing candidates to be regulators on South Carolina's utilities board only found six qualified candidates for four seats.

— CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-LSU CLASSES CANCELLED __ Classes have been cancelled at LSU for the day of and after the College Football Playoff national championship game, the university said.

IN SPORTS:

CFP CHAMPIONSHIP--TEAM ARRIVALS

KENNER, Louisiana — The championship countdown has started to feel like it's on — at last. No. 1 LSU and No. 3 Clemson arrived in New Orleans on Friday for the College Football Playoff title game on Monday night after nearly two weeks of waiting, healing and prepping after their semifinals wins. By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 535 words.

AP Photos transref:AZCC174, transref:GAMS162.

PAUL NEWBERRY-GLOOMY CFP

NEW ORLEANS — Gloomy clouds were lingering over the Big Easy as the contestants were scheduled to arrived for the so-called national championship game. The weather conditions Friday were an appropriate mood-setter. By Paul Newberry. SENT: 1,079 words.

AP Photos transref:AZCC177, transref:NY154, transref:AZCC174, transref:TNCHA201, transref:NY155, transref:AZCC172, transref:AZCC173.

CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-LSU-ORGERON

LAROSE, La. — A cardboard likeness of Ed Orgeron, wearing a purple polo with gold LSU lettering, stands in an entertainment parlor at the home of one of his childhood friends. The life-size cutout was displayed a couple years ago at a celebration dubbed “Coach O Day” in the predominantly Cajun south Louisiana community where Orgeron grew up, a place where everyone seems to have a nickname and shares stories in the same Cajun French-influenced accent synonymous with the raspy-voiced coach. By Brett Martel. SENT: 1,064 words.

AP Photos transref:TNCHA201, transref:RPBM101, transref:RPMB102, transref:GAMS194, transref:GAMS129.

BKC—STRUGGLING NORTH CAROLINA

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The losses are adding up for North Carolina, along with the sleepless nights for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams. The Tar Heels have their worst record through 15 games in 17 seasons under Williams. They’ve struggled to replace veteran and NBA talent from a team that earned a No. 1 seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. And the roster left behind has been hit hard by injuries, notably with potential one-and-done prospect Cole Anthony roughly midway through a multi-week timeline to return from knee surgery. By Aaron Beard. SENT: 718 words.

AP Photos transref:NCGB103, transref:NCGB113, transref:NCGB10, transref:NCGB101.

BKC—ACC THIS WEEK

UNDATED — A look at the upcoming week around the Atlantic Coast Conference: GAME OF THE WEEKEND By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 585 words.

AP Photos transref:NCGB103, transref:NCGB115.

BKC--SEC THIS WEEK

ALABAMA (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

FORMER ASTRONAUT-FATAL CRASH

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Lawyers for a retired NASA astronaut charged with murder in a fatal car crash that killed two young sisters contend tests reveal there wasn't any alcohol in his system, court documents show. Attorneys for former space shuttle commander James Halsell filed a motion including the test results Thursday. By Jay Reeves. SENT: 362 words.

AP Photos transref:NYJK503.

SOUTHERN STORMS

ROOFER DEATH

CULLMAN, Ala. — An Alabama roofing company is facing nearly $160,000 in federal fines after a 15-year-old worker fell 40 feet (12 meters) to his death at a job site this summer, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday. Apex Roofing and Restoration LLC and a subcontractor were found to have exposed employees to fall hazards at the Cullman work site without adequate protection and to not have properly trained workers, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration ruled Thursday. The federal agency launched an investigation following the underage worker's death in July. SENT: 212 words.

IN BRIEF:

— POLICE SHOOTING-ALABAMA — A hammer-wielding man who was shot and killed by a deputy outside a Walmart store in Alabama has been identified.

— TAX FRAUD-SENTENCE — A St. Louis-area man has been sentenced to four years in prison for a tax return scheme that netted nearly $900,000.

— APPEALS COURT-DEATH SENTENCE — A state appeals court upheld the death sentence Friday of a man convicted of capital murder in a gang-related killing in north Alabama.

IN SPORTS:

BKC--SEC THIS WEEK

LOUISIANA (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

SOUTHERN STORMS

UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS SUSPENDED

BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University at New Orleans will suspend all of its athletics programs at the end of the academic year, trying to save money and dig itself out of years of financial problems. The Southern University Board of Supervisors approved the move Friday without objection, at the request of SUNO Interim Chancellor James Ammons. SENT: 221 words.

IN BRIEF:

— ELECTION 2020-LOUISIANA — Candidate registration for Louisiana's presidential primary ended Friday, with 14 Democrats signed up for the ballot and four Republicans challenging President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination.

— CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-LSU CLASSES CANCELLED — Classes have been cancelled at LSU for the day of and after the College Football Playoff national championship game, the university said.

— SERVICE DOG KILLED-POLICE — The New Orleans Police Department is investigating the shooting of a military veteran's service dog by an officer.

— FATAL STABBING-FATHER — A man has been arrested and accused of fatally stabbing his father, authorities in Louisiana said.

IN SPORTS:

BKN--PELICANS-KNICKS

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks return home from a winless road trip to host the Orleans Pelicans. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 7:15 p.m.

FBC—CFP CHAMPIONSHIP--TEAM ARRIVALS

AP Photos transref:AZCC174, transref:GAMS162.

FBC—PAUL NEWBERRY-GLOOMY CFP

AP Photos transref:AZCC177, transref:NY154, transref:AZCC174, transref:TNCHA201, transref:NY155, transref:AZCC172, transref:AZCC173.

FBC—CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-LSU-ORGERON

AP Photos transref:TNCHA201, transref:RPBM101, transref:RPMB102, transref:GAMS194, transref:GAMS129.

BKC--SEC THIS WEEK

MISSISSIPPI (All times Central)

TOP STORIES:

MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR-LEGACY

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is leaving office Tuesday after serving his limit of two terms. The Republican said he believes the state’s economy is stronger, vulnerable children are better protected and students are showing stronger academic performance. “We still have a lot of problems, but the indicators of how the economy of jobs and education and what we're doing with foster children — they're better than they were eight years ago," Bryant said. "And that's all any governor can truly hope for, is to is to be able to say, ‘Are we leaving Mississippi better off than it was eight years ago?’” By Emily Wagster Pettus. SENT: 979 words.

AP Photos transref:MSRS201, transref:MSMES202, transref:MSRS203, transref:MSRS204, transref:MSRS205, transref:MSRS206, transref:MSRS207, transref:MSRS208, transref:MSRS209, transref:MSRS210.

ELECTION 2020-MISSISSIPPI SENATE

JACKSON, Miss. — Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy is aiming for a rematch of a U.S. Senate race that he lost to Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi in 2018, in hopes of reversing the outcome. To compete with her in November, he will first have to push past two candidates in the Democratic primary. By Emily Wagster Pettus. SENT: 540 words.

AP Photos transref:NYSB222.

XGR-MISSISSIPPI SENATE

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi's new Republican lieutenant governor is putting together a bipartisan leadership team in the state Senate for the new four-year term. Delbert Hosemann was inaugurated to the state's second-highest office Thursday and announced committees of the 52-member Senate on Friday. He told senators to spend the weekend thinking about their priorities and to return to the Capitol next week ready to work. By Emily Wagster Pettus. SENT: 491 words.

AP Photos transref:MSRS106.

SOUTHERN STORMS

VETERAN'S PROSTHETIC LEGS

JACKSON, Miss. — An Army veteran in Mississippi who served in Vietnam and Iraq says a dispute over payments has left him unable to use a pair of expensive prosthetic legs. Jerry Holliman, 69, told the Clarion Ledger the Veterans Affairs department wouldn't pay for the legs. And he says he doesn't think he should have to make a Medicare co-payment. SENT: 525 words.

IN BRIEF:

— TAX FRAUD-SENTENCE — A St. Louis-area man has been sentenced to four years in prison for a tax return scheme that netted nearly $900,000.

— ESCAPED INMATE — Police in Mississippi have arrested six people, including the father, mother and aunt of an inmate accused of escaping from a hospital this week, authorities confirmed to news outlets.

— PARK SHOOTING-TEENS — A Tennessee man was sentenced Friday to 133 years in prison for killing a Mississippi girl and wounding four other people in a shooting at a park more than three years ago, prosecutors said.

IN SPORTS:

FBC—-MISSISSIPPI STATE-LEACH

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The opportunity to coach in a talent-rich area helped persuade Mike Leach make the decision to leave Washington State and accept the Mississippi State job, giving him the chance to test himself in the Southeastern Conference. “I know we’ve got a lot of work to do here, but we’ve got some great players here,” Leach said Friday at his introductory news conference. “I’m really excited about this challenge. We’ve got plenty of hard work ahead of us but it’s going to be fulfilling work. We’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re going to work harder than any team in the country to be a team that everyone in here can be proud of.’’ By Paul Jones. SENT: 804 words.

AP Photos transref:MSRS112, transref:MSRS113, transref:MSRS109, transref:MSRS111, transref:MSRS107, transref:MSRS110, transref:MSRS104.

BKC--SEC THIS WEEK

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If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them them to:

The Atlanta AP Bureau: [email protected]

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