AP News Digest 2 p.m.
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, 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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AP POLL-HEALTH CARE — The coronavirus pushed hospitals to the edge, and millions of workers lost job-based coverage in the economic shutdown to slow the spread, but a new poll suggests Americans have remarkably little interest in big changes to health care as a result of the pandemic. People are still more likely to prefer the private sector than the government on driving innovation in health care, improving quality and, by a narrower margin, providing coverage. By Emily Swanson and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 900 words, photos, graphics.
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AMERICA PROTESTS — Hundreds of mourners lined up outside a church in George Floyd’s native Houston for a final public viewing as his death two weeks ago at the hands of police continued whipping protesters, leaders and cities around the world into action over demands to address racial injustice and police brutality. By Juan A. Lozano and Nomaan Merchant. SENT: 860 words, photos, videos. With AMERICA PROTESTS-THE LATEST
AMERICA PROTESTS-DEFUND POLICE — Protesters are pushing to “defund the police” over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement. Their chant has become a rallying cry — and a stick for President Donald Trump to use on Democrats as he portrays them as soft on crime. But what does “defund the police” mean? SENT: 970 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-US — Scarred by the deadliest coronavirus outbreak in the nation, New York City gradually began reopening in a turning point in the three-month-long crisis and a life-and-death test of the city’s discipline. With the virus in check — at least for now — stores previously deemed nonessential were cleared to reopen for delivery and curbside pickup, though customers cannot yet browse inside. Construction, manufacturing and wholesalers also received the go-ahead to resume work. By Jennifer Peltz. SENT: 820 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-CONGRESS — Democrats proposed a sweeping overhaul of police procedures and accountability in response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement, but the political outlook is slim in an election year as President Donald Trump and GOP allies run on a tough “law and order” approach. By Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 860 words, photos, video.
AMERICA PROTESTS-MURDERAPOLIS — The deaths of George Floyd and other black men at the hands of Minneapolis police have exacerbated the corrosive relationship between people of color and a criminal justice system they feel is stacked against them. It’s a story that dates back to the 1970s, when crime rates soared in the black community. An officer’s murder in 1992 set off a crackdown by police that reverberates to this day, according to critics. Five years ago, the U.S. Justice Department report found that law enforcement agencies failed to remove bad officers and that there were no clear criteria on the use of force and de-escalation tactics. By Margie Mason and Robin McDowell. SENT: 1,690 words, photos. This is the Tuesday spotlight. An abridged version of 980 words has also been sent.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEXICO-CEMETERIES-PHOTO GALLERY — Gravediggers and crematorium workers in Mexico are struggling to keep pace as the country registers escalating coronavirus death numbers even as it gradually eases some restrictions aimed at curbing COVID-19. SENT: 570 words, photos.
Find more coverage of America Protests in AP Newsroom.
Find more coverage of the Virus Outbreak in AP Newsroom.
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MORE ON AMERICA PROTESTS
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AMERICA PROTESTS-NATION’S CAPITAL — As the nation’s capital emerges from a violent and chaotic stretch of protests and street battles, the demonstrations over the death of George Floyd have taken on a street fair-type atmosphere, complete with music, dance parties and protest art adorning the massive fence erected around Lafayette Park across from the White House. But the undercurrent of defiance remans. By Ashraf Khalil. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos, video by 5 p.m.
GEORGE FLOYD-DEATH-INVESTIGATION — The Minneapolis police officer charged with second-degree murder in George Floyd’s death was scheduled to make his first court appearance. SENT: 320 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing.
PROTESTS-BRITAIN-SLAVERY — In Bristol, an English port city that once launched slave ships, an empty plinth has become the epicenter of a debate about racism, history and memory. For over a century the pedestal held the statue of Edward Colston, a 17th-century slave-trader. On Sunday, anti-racism demonstrators pulled the bronze likeness down, dragged it to the nearby harbor and dumped it in the River Avon. SENT: 990 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-FRANCE — France’s top security offical says police will no longer conduct chokeholds that have been blamed for multiple cases of asphyxiation and have come under renewed criticism after George Floyd’s death in the United States. SENT: 440 words, photos.
PROTESTS-AFRICA — Protests against police brutality were held in South Africa and Kenya, with demonstrators charging that they are suffering abuses by their own authorities, as well as demonstrating against George Floyd’s death in the U.S. SENT: 590 words, photos.
AMERICA-PROTESTS-CONFEDERATE-MONUMENTS — Workers for the state of Virginia inspected Richmond’s huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee before its planned removal. While protesters have toppled some other Confederate statues and some cities have moved swiftly to remove what critics see as symbols of white supremacy, this monument won’t be so easy to take down, given its weight and height. SENT: 760 words, photos.
AMERICA PROTESTS-GLOBAL-PHOTO GALLERY — Just like the coronavirus, racism has no borders. Across the world, people representing a broad spectrum of society have marched as one to protest racial injustice and police brutality at home and abroad. Despite the risks posed by possibly the biggest public health hazard in a century, they still put their marching boots on and geared up for a long day of chanting. SENT: 600 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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ECONOMY-RECESSION — The U.S. economy entered a recession in February, a group of economists declared, ending the longest expansion on record. SENT: 200 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE — Britain began imposing a 14-day quarantine on travelers coming into the country, months after other European countries imposed similar measures to control the spread of the coronavirus. The quarantine was roundly criticized by the aviation and tourism industries, with many questioning its timing. SENT: 940 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW ZEALAND — New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered. SENT: 490 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CLEAN HOTELS — Marriott, Hilton and other big hotel companies are used to competing on price or perks. Now they are competing on cleanliness. From masked clerks at the front desk to shuttered buffets, hotels are making visible changes in the wake of the pandemic. SENT; 890 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-FOLLOWING UP — One Good Thing, each day. That’s the idea behind AP’s daily look at acts of kindness, generosity and self-sacrifice in times of pandemic. A whimsical gesture to distract neighbors from anxiety or cabin fever. Support for a person thrown out of a job, a patient struggling with COVID-19 or the medical professional toiling to save them. Months later there’s been no end to the good deeds we’ve found. From giant cinnamon rolls baked to benefit a food bank, to a serenade for hospital workers, they’re reminders that goodness and decency not only endure despite the coronavirus but often flourish because of it. SENT: 860 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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INDONESIA-TOURIST TRAPPED IN WELL — Tourist rescued after being trapped 6 days in well in Bali. SENT: 200 words, photos.
DENMARK-PANDA ESCAPE — Panda escapes from enclosure at Danish zoo; returned safely. SENT: 210 words, photos.
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ELECTION 2020-TRUMP — President Donald Trump and his aides have grown increasingly concerned about his reelection chances. They’ve watched Trump’s standing take a pummeling over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and during a wave of protests against racial injustice. His allies worry that the president has done something that his November foe has been unable to accomplish: igniting enthusiasm in a Democratic Party base that has been lukewarm to former Vice President Joe Biden. By Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-MAIL VOTING — Democrats are mounting a new effort to push back against a well-funded Republican campaign that seeks to undermine public confidence in mail-in-voting, which President Donald Trump has said, without offering proof, will lead to election fraud. By Brian Slodysko and Nicholas Riccardi. SENT: 830 words, photos.
McENANY’S MISSION — Kalyleigh McEnany has a new title as President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary. But she also serves a familiar role as his most visible advocate for reelection ahead of the November election. By Laurie Kellman and Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-WATCH — President Donald Trump enters the week hoping to rebound from one of the lowest points of his presidency as recent polls show that 8 in 10 Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and even spiraling out of control. By National Political Editor Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
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TROPICAL WEATHER — Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a depression after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast, sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches, swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida. SENT: 710 words, photos, video.
NYPD-MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS — A new watchdog report says the vast majority of complaints about New York City police officers’ mistreatment of youths stemmed from encounters with black children. The Civilian Complaint Review Board reported Monday that nearly two-thirds of youth complaints involve children of color including many stopped for “innocuous activities.” SENT: 410 words, photos.
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SPAIN-EL SALVADOR-TRIAL — Spain’s National Court kicked off the trial of two former Salvadoran military men for their alleged involvement in the massacre of five Spanish priests in El Salvador more than three decades ago. SENT: 380 words, photo.
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BRITAIN-BP — Oil and gas company BP announced that it will slash its global workforce by 10,000 jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic slams the energy industry. SENT: 550 words, photo.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Wall Street’s rally is spilling into a new week as most stocks continue to ride the high supplied by Friday’s surprisingly encouraging report on the U.S. jobs market. SENT: 920 words, photos.
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TV-NETFLIX-BLACK-WORLD — There’s a stubborn perception in the entertainment industry that screen projects with African American stars and stories have a limited appeal outside the United States. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay calls it a “longstanding myth” that’s burdened black artists and filmmakers. A growing number of box-office hits like “Black Panther” undercut the argument, with some help from a new generation of small-screen movies and series. Netflix is unveiling viewership numbers to make the case for ethnic diversity’s ability to travel. One example cited by the streaming service: DuVernay’s miniseries “When They See Us,” which Netflix says drew half its household viewership outside the U.S. By AP Television Writer Lynn Elber. SENT: 1,060 words, photos. An abridged version of 850 words has also been sent.
AMERICA PROTESTS-NEW SONGS — In response to the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, dozens of artists have voiced their heavy thoughts and feelings in song. They include Meek Mill, LL Cool J, T.I., Kane Brown and Ty Dolla $ign. R&B singer Trey Songz’ “2020 Riots: How Many Times” was released Friday. He says he recorded it after watching the ghastly video of Floyd dying as a police officer pressed his knee on his neck. By Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 960 words, photos.
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BASEBALL DRAFT-END OF AN ERA — It all started 55 years ago when Rick Monday was picked first by the Kansas City Athletics. As baseball begins to reshape its amateur draft with one slashed to only five rounds due to the coronavirus pandemic, a look back at some of the big busts, great calls and notable nuggets that have marked the event’s evolution. From back-to-back home runs in George Brett and Mike Schmidt, to the 2009 prime-time experiment that starred Stephen Strasburg and Mike Trout. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
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