Official of burned California town charged in teen sex sting

PARADISE, Calif. (AP) — The vice mayor of a Northern California town devastated by a wildfire in 2018 was charged with allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages and photos to a sheriff's deputy he believed was a 16-year-old girl, officials said Wednesday.

AP News Digest 7 a.m.

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Some leaders use pandemic to sharpen tools against critics

BANGKOK (AP) — Health concerns were on artist Danai Ussama’s mind when he returned to Thailand last month from a trip to Spain. He noticed that he and his fellow passengers did not go through medical checks after arriving at Bangkok’s airport, and thought it worth noting on his Facebook page.

Coronavirus crisis provides excuses for curbs on free speech

BANGKOK (AP) — Health concerns were on artist Danai Ussama’s mind when he returned to Thailand last month from a trip to Spain. He noticed that he and his fellow passengers did not go through medical checks after arriving at Bangkok’s airport, and thought it worth noting on his Facebook page.

AP News Digest 3:10 a.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

Trump looks to ease distancing in places; CEOs urge caution

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday he's prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work.

US judge cancels permit for Keystone XL pipeline from Canada

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. judge canceled a key permit Wednesday for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that’s expected to stretch from Canada to Nebraska, another setback for the disputed project that got underway less than two weeks ago following years of delays.

Cracked West Seattle Bridge shut until at least 2022

SEATTLE (AP) — The West Seattle Bridge will remain closed to traffic until 2022 to brace and then repair the cracking concrete main span, city of Seattle officials now predict.

Trump says new guidelines aim to lift some restrictions

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he's prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on

Women's sports likely to bear brunt of coronavirus fallout

Linked to the rising call for gender equity worldwide, women’s sports were enjoying unprecedented attention and support before the coronavirus pandemic.

Inslee: Phased approach for reopening economy due to virus

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that social distancing efforts in the state have been successful in “flattening the curve” of the coronavirus outbreak and that if the trend continues, the state should be able to transition away from the broad restrictions that have been imposed since last month to more targeted efforts to protect vulnerable populations.

AP Interview: Manfred 'to turn over every stone' for season

NEW YORK (AP) — Rob Manfred wants Major League Baseball to be in position to take the field whenever government and health officials give the go-ahead.

Film Review: A sober diplomacy drama in ‘Sergio’

The United Nations diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello has been described as a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy, which sounds like a compelling enough pitch for a film on its own.

Louisiana K-12 school closures to continue because of virus

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday signed an order keeping K-12 public schools shuttered through the remainder of the academic year

Americans stuck in Africa trying to bring adopted kids home

Stranded in Nigeria for months, a Colorado couple had a rare chance to catch an evacuation flight to the U.S. recently during the coronavirus outbreak. But they refused because they would have had to leave behind their adopted daughter, who has yet to get a U.S. visa.

Russia clashes with Europeans over Syria chemical weapons

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Syria’s close ally Russia clashed with European nations in the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday over a report from the global chemical weapons watchdog blaming the Syrian air force for a series of attacks using sarin and chlorine on a rebel-held town in 2017.

The Latest: UN's Guterres: Africa could see virus spread

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

Churches sue California governor over antivirus orders

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Three Southern California churches that want to keep their doors open during the coronavirus outbreak sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials on Monday, arguing that social distancing orders violate the First Amendment right to freedom of religion and assembly.

Legals for April, 16 2020

Grant EDC to host webinar on assistance programs

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Economic Development Council will hold a webinar at 3:30 p.m. today to discuss information available on assistance programs for small and medium-size businesses.