Greater Mid-Atlantic News Digest 1:30 p.m.

Hello! Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up in the Mid-Atlantic, covering North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to 919-510-8937, 202-641-9660, 410-837-8315, 804-643-6646 or [email protected]. AP-Mid-Atlantic News Editor Steve McMillan can be reached at 804-643-6646 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A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org

All times are Eastern.

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

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

NORTH CAROLINA

OFFICERS FORCE-INVESTIGATION

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina police department is investigating the use of force by two officers during a traffic stop in which they were recorded kneeing a driver, punching his back and dragging him out of the car by his neck. SENT:: 270 words.

IN BRIEF:

— SCHOOL BUS DRIVER-ASSAULT — Police are looking for a man who they say assaulted a North Carolina school bus driver as she stopped to pick up children.

— FLU DEATHS-NORTH CAROLINA — Eleven people died from the flu last week, the deadliest week of the season so far. North Carolina health officials said.

— CARS SHOT — Police in North Carolina are warning motorists following reports that someone has been firing a gun at cars on a highway.

— ODD GREEN PUPPY— The Avengers may have gained a canine sidekick after a North Carolina family's dog gave birth to a bright green puppy named “Hulk.”

— NORTH CAROLINA-FATAL SHOOTING — Police in North Carolina are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and two others wounded.

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VIRGINIA

PRO-GUN RALLY-VIRGINIA

RICHMOND, Va. — A judge on Thursday upheld a ban on firearms at a pro-gun rally scheduled for next week in Virginia, rejecting a request from gun-rights groups who had sued to overturn it. The Virginia Citizens Defense League and Gunowners of America filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking an injunction against the ban, which Gov. Ralph Northam imposed for a rally scheduled to take place Monday on the grounds of the Virginia Capitol. By Legal Affairs Writer Denise Lavoie. SENT: 550 words.

COUNCILMAN-GUN STANCE

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The father of a school shooting victim is calling for the resignation of a Virginia city council member who strapped an assault weapon to his chest during a vote to protect gun rights. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime Guttenburg was one of 17 killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, tweeted that Portsmouth Councilman Nathan Clark's constituents “should not be forced to accept him engaging in open intimidation with his AR 15.” SENT: 280 words.

PREP SCHOOL-SEX ABUSE

CONCORD, N.H. — A mistrial was declared in the case of a man has been accused of sexually assaulting two children on the campus of St. Paul's school in New Hampshire in the 1970s. Benjamin Baker, of Falls Church, Virginia, was arrested in February and charged with being a fugitive after Concord police issued a warrant charging him with a dozen sex crimes, including aggravated sexual assault. SENT: 230 words.

IN BRIEF:

— SEA LEVEL-VIRGINIA BEACH — Virginia Beach will have to consider multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects and other efforts to face the threat of sea-level rise, according to a study.

— LGBTQ BOOKS-ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS — Officials in a northern Virginia school district are pushing back against a campaign by conservative parents to withdraw books with LGBTQ characters from elementary schools.

— PEACE CORPS SERVICE — The state of Vermont is continuing to be among the top states in the country in the per capita production of Peace Corps volunteers, the Peace Corps said.

— BABY DEATH CHARGES — Authorities in Virginia say a woman has been charged with felony child neglect and endangerment after her baby died with methamphetamines in its system.

— STATE POLICE-RECRUITMENT — Virginia state police say they have created a new website aimed at recruiting a more diverse mix of applicants for new troopers.

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MARYLAND/ DELAWARE

WHITE SUPREMACISTS ARRESTED

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — FBI agents on Thursday arrested a former Canadian Armed Forces reservist and two other men who are linked to a violent white supremacist group and were believed to be heading to a pro-gun rally next week in Virginia’s capital. The three men are members of The Base and were arrested on federal charges in a criminal complaint unsealed in Maryland, according to a Justice Department news release. By Michael Kunzelman and Mike Balsamo. SENT: 730 words.

CLIMATE CHANGE-MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A draft plan from Gov. Larry Hogan's administration to cut Maryland greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 is “truly vague,” a leading state senator said Thursday over the administration's assertions that the plan was on track to meeting its goal. Sen. Paul Pinsky, who chairs the Senate's Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, said he was not confident the plan “with all its vagaries and lack of quantifiable reductions” would reach the target set into law by the General Assembly. By Brian Witte. SENT: 450 words.

MARYLAND GOVERNOR-RETIREE TAX CUTS

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland would cut state income taxes for retirees under a proposal announced Thursday by Gov. Larry Hogan. Hogan, a Republican, said his proposal would bring more than $1 billion in tax relief for retirees over five years. Maryland taxes have forced too many Marylanders to leave the state when they retire, the governor said at a news conference announcing the plan. By Brian Witte. SENT: 350 words.

DEJA VU ISSUES

DOVER, Del. — While a new legislative session is under way in Delaware, many issues this year involve bills left hanging at the conclusion of last year's session. They include Democrats' gun control and marijuana legalization measures. Meanwhile, revenue projections have increased by more than $200 million since September. That could give lawmakers more latitude in deciding how to spend taxpayer money. By Randall Chase. SENT: 840 words.

TASK FORCE ARRESTS

BALTIMORE — Federal authorities have charged another Baltimore police detective in connection with allegations of corruption in a rogue unit. A five-count indictment against 43-year-old Robert Hankard was unsealed Wednesday. The office of the U.S. Attorney in Maryland said Hankard has been charged with conspiring to deprive civil rights, falsifying records and making false statements to a federal grand jury. SENT 230 words.

IN BRIEF:

— POE HOUSE-DESIGNATION — A national association representing libraries is honoring the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore.

— FENTANYL DEALER SENTENCED — A federal judge handed down a 35-year-sentence on Thursday to a man convicted of dealing fentanyl, scolding him for being motivated by “pure greed.”

— CRIME LEGISLATION-HOUSE GOP — Maryland's House Republicans outlined measures aimed at fighting crime on Thursday as priorities of the House GOP.

— TEACHER ARRESTED — Charges have been dropped against a Maryland teacher who was recorded on cellphone video physically fighting a female student during an argument in her classroom, prosecutors said Wednesday.

— SCHOOL FUNDING LAWSUIT — Attorneys for Gov. John Carney are trying to prevent Delaware's education secretary and budget director from being deposed in a lawsuit alleging that the state is failing to provide adequate educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.

— WRONGFULLY CONVICTED COMPENSATION— Wrongfully convicted men who collectively spent more than 200 years in prison for crimes they did not commit are urging Maryland lawmakers to support reforms to prevent and address wrongful convictions.

— FORMER OFFICER-MISCONDUCT_A veteran police officer in Maryland has been sentenced to probation before judgment for gifting department iPhones to loved ones.

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SPORTS

FBN—PANTHERS-BRADY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers are hoping Joe Brady can bolster a sagging offense like he did at LSU. Carolina officially announced Thursday that Brady will be their new offensive coordinator after one year as LSU's passing game coordinator. Brady won the Broyles Award given annually to the top assistant coach in college football after helping the Tigers to a 15-0 season and a national championship. By Sports Writer Steve Reed. SENT: 350 words.

BKW--T25-FLORIDA ST-NC STATE

RALEIGH, N.C. — Ninth-ranked North Carolina State hosts No. 13 Florida State on Thursday night in a key Atlantic Coast Conference matchup of teams pursuing league-leading Louisville. By Ken Tysiac. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 6 p.m.

BKW--T25-NEBRASKA-MARYLAND

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — No. 20 Maryland takes on Nebraska in a Big Ten matchup. UPCOMING: 150 words. Game starts at 8 p.m. ET.