AP News Digest 2 p.m.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All Times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

Red tide found off Florida's southwest coast; birds sick

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Red tide is back in the waters off of Florida’s southwest coast, making birds sick and killing fish, according to a state environmental agency update on Wednesday.

Correction: Mexico-US-Biden story

MEXICO CITY (AP) — In a story December 15, 2020, about the presidents of Brazil and Mexico congratulating Joe Biden, The Associated Press erroneously called the President-Elect Jose Biden.

US angling to secure more of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they’re actively negotiating for additional purchases of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine after passing up a chance to lock in a contract this summer since it was still unclear how …

Biden calls transportation nominee Buttigieg 'a new voice'

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden introduced onetime Democratic primary rival Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday as his nominee for transportation secretary, saying the 38-year-old can be “a new voice" in …

Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocks

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese lunar capsule returned to Earth on Thursday with the first fresh rock samples from the moon in more than 40 years, offering the possibility of new insights into the history of the solar sys…

Vaccinations reach nursing homes as California faces crisis

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The first COVID-19 vaccinations are underway at U.S. nursing homes, where the virus has killed more than 110,000 people, even as the nation struggles to contain a surge so alarming it has…

'If not one thing, it's another': Northeast preps for storm

NEW YORK (AP) — The Northeast girded Wednesday for a major snowstorm at a key moment in the coronavirus pandemic, days after the

Florida's new python-sniffing dogs have 1st success

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Truman, the python-sniffing black Labrador retriever, recently tracked down his first snake in a new program Florida is using to eradicate the invasive species.

Prague zoo's month-old Sumatran orangutan finally has a name

PRAGUE (AP) — He’s called Pustakawan, or Kawi, if you wish.

Florida man sentenced to 50 years for stabbing mom to death

PALM COAST, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man was sentenced to 50 years in prison Wednesday for stabbing his mother to death after he got angry when she threatened to kick him out of the house.

Senate report: Opioid industry has paid advocacy groups $65M

A bipartisan congressional investigation released Wednesday found that key players in the nation’s opioid industry have spent $65 million since 1997 funding nonprofits that advocate treating pain with medications, …

Extradition delayed for Wisconsin man charged in kidnap plot

PORTAGE, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled.

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Venezuelan village mourns 23 drownings, seeks those missing

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Twinkling Christmas lights have been turned off in the remote fishing village of Güiria in Venezuela as hundreds mourn and gather on its shores to await word of loved ones who remain missi…