AP News Digest 2 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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ONLY ON AP
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AP POLL-VIRUS-OUTBREAK — More than half of Americans now say they have at least some worry about themselves or a family member becoming infected with COVID-19, with concerns about the new disease now surpassing concerns about the flu. Still, only about 3 in 10 Americans say they’re highly worried, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. By Sara Burnett and Emily Swanson. SENT: 850 words, photo, graphic. With: AP POLL-VIRUS GLANCE — A summary of poll findings. SENT: 390 words.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON — In what would be an extraordinary reach by government into the private sector, President Donald Trump says the U.S. should take an equity stake in companies needing bailouts because of the devastating effects of the coronavirus on the U.S. economy. Trump also promotes therapeutic drugs he says could treat those suffering with COVID-19, and steps up his criticism of China for not telling the world earlier about what has become a pandemic. By Deb Riechmann and Jill Colvin. SENT: 1200 words. UPCOMING: Developing, 1,200 words by 5 p.m., photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK - The Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged reported no new homegrown cases, while the death toll in Italy overtook China's in a stark illustration of how the crisis has pivoted toward Europe and the U.S. The outbreak spread to at least one European head of state, 62-year-old Prince Albert II of the tiny principality of Monaco. By Nicole Winfield and Tim Sullivan. SENT: 1,300 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST; VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING (both sent).
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PROFITEERING - One store advertised hand sanitizer at $60 a bottle. Another was accused of hawking it at $1 a squirt. Chain stores were accused of selling $26 thermometers and face masks at the “everyday low price” of $39.95 a pair, while a convenience store offered toilet paper at $10 a roll next to a sign reading: “This is not a joke.” Across a country where lines are long, shelves are empty and patience thin, complaints about people trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, scams and phony cures were multiplying as fast as the illness itself. By Reese Dunklin and Justin Pritchard. SENT: 1,154 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-QUARANTINE SHAMING — There's a new type of social policing out there that's developed almost as quickly as the viral disease that spurred its arrival. It's called “quarantine shaming,” calling out those who are leaving the house for daily activities or who aren't abiding by social distancing rules. And it's part of a new reality for Americans who must navigate a world of rapidly evolving social norms in the age of COVID-19. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 1,215 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020 — Joe Biden is on the verge of capturing the Democratic presidential nomination. But his path forward faces challenges with a shifting primary landscape and his top rival staying in the race for now. By Bill Barrow, Alexandra Jaffe and Will Weissert. UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m., photos. WITH: ELECTION 2020-GABBARD — Rep. Tulsi Gabbard suspends her presidential campaign. SENT: 820 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LAYOFFS — The shuddering halt in the nation’s economy has unleashed what seems sure to become an accelerating wave of layoffs that will leave millions out of work or in a state of limbo that will imperil Americans’ financial lives. Some have already been laid off and others are waiting for the ax to fall. By Christopher Rugaber. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 p.m. WITH: UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS - Jobless claims jump by 70,000 as virus starts to take hold. SENT: 425 words, photo.
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MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Congress rushes to pull together a sweeping rescue measure for Americans and businesses affected by the coronavirus, including possible initial direct-deposit checks of up to $3,000 for a family of four. As the first members of Congress test positive for the virus and others self-quarantine, leaders consider modifications to Congress’ traditional voting process. SENT: 900 words. UPCOMING: Developing, 950 words by 5 p.m., photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CANADA-US — The Canadian government says the Canada-U.S. border will be closed to all non-essential travel in both directions on Friday night. SENT: 300 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VETERANS AFFAIRS — The Department of Veterans Affairs is bracing for a possible surge of 1 million veterans infected by coronavirus and at the same time rapidly preparing for the possibility it may have to absorb overflow civilian patients should private hospitals become overrun by the pandemic. UPCOMING: 950 words by 4 p.m., photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CLEANING WORKERS — Cleaning workers are often the first line of defense against the global COVID-19 pandemic, cleaning and disinfecting homes, medical facilities and public spaces where the novel coronavirus could spread. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE — The Trump administration is asking Congress for $3 billion to top for the country's strategic petroleum reserve, a move designed to reduce costs for American taxpayers and help the oil industry during the global pandemic. UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m. photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AMERICAN PRISONER RELEASES — Two Americans imprisoned in the Middle East have been released. Iran has granted a medical furlough to U.S. Navy veteran Michael White as part of its efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus, and a Lebanese judge orders the release of Amer Fakhoury because more than 10 years had passed since the crimes he was accused of committing. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SURGEON GENERAL — The U.S. surgeon general caught the eye of Donald Trump in a tried-and-true way: praising the 45th president on television. At a recent briefing with his coronavirus task force standing behind him, Trump turned to Dr. Jerome Adams and declared the previously low-profile 20th surgeon general among the administration’s “stars” to emerge from this crisis. SENT: 1,250 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK MIRACLE SITES - El Santuario de Chimayo is known around the world for itS healing sand and northern New Mexico shrine where believers ask for mercy and miracles to stage off sickness and death. But with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the sanctuary is one of many Hispanic Catholic sites closing and limiting access to pilgrims seeking a last hope prayer. From Colorado to France, from Arizona to Canada, devotees are having to cancel pilgrimage plans and seek alternative miracles as Easter approaches. By Russell Contreras. SENT: 1,035 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE-FAKE NEWS — European Union experts say Russian state media and pro-Kremlin news outlets are waging a fake news campaign to undermine public confidence that Europe's health care systems can cope with the coronavirus. SENT: 430 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-BOLSONARO — After questioning the seriousness of COVID-19, defying his own health ministry's recommendations and denouncing a “certain hysteria,” Brazil's president is now projecting himself as leading the nation's response to the coronavirus crisis in what has become one of the biggest challenges to his presidency. SENT: 970 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NATIONAL PARKS — Most national parks are open as a refuge for Americans tired of being stuck at home during a global pandemic, but despite now being free to visit, people may find it more difficult than normal to enjoy them as parks close visitor centers, shuttles, lodges and restaurants to fight the spread of the coronavirus. SENT: 1,155 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEQUAL TESTING - The revelation that the entire Brooklyn Nets team was tested for Covid-19 while others must wait for their tests has fed the perception that the wealthy and powerful jump to the front of the line, even during a crisis. SENT: 1,400 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOVERNORS — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says governors are asking for more federal funding to the states and increased access to test kits and ventilators to fight the coronavirus. SENT: 330 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-STREAMING — Sports are on hold, theaters are closed and so are amusement parks, a disaster-movie scenario that has Hollywood reeling. But Americans held captive at home by the coronavirus can turn to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and other streaming services, outliers in an entertainment industry brought to an unprecedented standstill. SENT: 1,025 words, photos.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TV-CONAN - With iPhones and Skype, Conan O'Brien is going back on the air. The late-night host said he will resume putting out new episodes of TBS' “Conan” on March 30. SENT: 285 words, photo.
MUSIC-ACM AWARDS - The Academy of Country Music had to postpone their upcoming awards show because of the spreading coronavirus, but CBS will air a new television special featuring country stars performing from their homes. SENT: 200 words, photo.
CENTRAL PARK FIVE-PROSECUTOR - Former Manhattan prosecutor Linda Fairstein has sued Netflix and director Ava DuVernay over her portrayal in the streaming service's miniseries about the Central Park Five case. SENT: 310 words, photos.
SEAL RELEASED - The National Aquarium says it released a harp seal rescued from Ocean City, Maryland, after severe dehydration. SENT: 145 words, photos.
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COLD CASE ARREST- DNA - A Florida police department says it solved a 35-year-old homicide by using DNA to find a relative of the alleged killer and then created a family tree to track him down. Pensacola detectives arrested 57-year-old Daniel Wells and charged him with the slaying of Tonya McKinley, 23, whose body was found before dawn on New Year's Day 1985. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. SENT: 500 words, photo.
POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA — A Minnesota sheriff's deputy was acquitted of second-degree manslaughter on Thursday in the 2018 fatal shooting of a suicidal man who held a gun to his own head as he knelt in the street during a 40-minute standoff with police. SENT: 540 words.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-ISRAEL-DEMOCRACY — Hundreds of people defied restrictions on large gatherings to protest outside parliament, while scores of others were blocked by police from reaching the area as they accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of exploiting the coronavirus crisis to solidify his power and undermine Israel's democratic foundations. SENT: 1,173 words, photos.
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FINANCIAL MARKETS-BIG SWINGS — The rapidly deteriorating health of the financial markets is being driven by a contagion of fear and uncertainty about a global pandemic that's infecting the economy in ways that seemed unfathomable just a month ago. It almost seems like a distant memory now, but shortly after the President Day's holiday weekend the benchmark S&P 500 index closed at a record high. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. With FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks are see-sawing between gains and losses in midday trading on Wall Street Thursday, but the moves are more subdued than the wild jabs that have dominated recent weeks. At least for now. SENT: 870 words, photos.
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TV-THE ENGLISH-GAME - With global soccer shut down these days, fans desperate for a fix of the beautiful game may find it from a rather unlikely source — the creator of the stately “Downton Abbey.” Julian Fellowes has created and co-written the new Netflix series “The English Game,” a six-part look at the origins of a onetime British gentleman's game that has become the most popular sport on the planet. The series begins Friday. SENT: 825 words, photos.
VIRUS-ENTERTAINMENT-WHAT'S HAPPENING — Universal Pictures says “Minions: The Rise of Gru" will not be completed by its planned July release due to the coronavirus. Elsewhere, Rosie O’Donnell is reviving her daytime talk show for one time only. SENT: 470 words, photos.
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BKC—NCAA-NO MADNESS - The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament deprived fans of what could have been an epic bracket. Maybe Markus Howard squaring off against Myles Powell? Or Bobby Hurley coaching against Mike Krzyzewski? March Madness frenzy must wait another year. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. SENT: 850 words, photos.
OLY--TOKYO-FLAME ARRIVAL - The Olympic flame is set to arrive in Japan from Greece even as the opening of the Tokyo Games in four months is in doubt with more voices calling for the event to be postponed or canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 700 words, photos.
BKW--AP WOMEN’S ALL-AMERICA TEAM -- Sabrina Ionescu of Oregon joins an elite group, becoming a three-time AP All-America. Also on the squad in this truncated season are Oregon teammate Ruthy Hebard, Baylor's Lauren Cox, Kentucky's Rhyne Howard and UConn's Megan Walker. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
BBO—BASEBALL BEFORE THE TWILIGHT ZONE -Rod Serling most famously is the foreboding figure who created “The Twilight Zone” television show. Not so well known: he loved baseball. Next week, a Cincinnati public radio station will broadcast a comedy Serling wrote in 1955 involving the Reds and the Russians. By Baseball Writer Ben Walker. SENT: 900 words, photos.
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