BC-AP News Digest 3 am

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.

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ONLY ON AP

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THE RECKONING-BOARD FAILURES — Almost two decades ago, the U.S. Catholic Church touted a key reform to address its exploding clergy sex abuse scandal: Independent boards in each diocese with lay people to review the claims of victims fairly and kindly. But an Associated Press investigation finds these boards since have served as a way to undermine victims’ claims of sexual abuse, avoid payouts and shield pedophile priests — raising the question of whether the church is able to reform itself on its own. By Reese Dunklin, Matt Sedensky and Mitch Weiss. SENT: 4,620 words, photos, video. Abridged version available. With THE RECKONING-BOARD FAILURES-FINDINGS.

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TOP STORIES

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TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT — House impeachment investigators will hear from two key witnesses who grew alarmed by how President Donald Trump and others in his orbit were conducting foreign policy in Ukraine. By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Eric Tucker. SENT: 880 words, photos. UPCOMING: 990 words after hearing begins at 9 a.m. With TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-FIONA HILL — Fiona Hill, adviser with sharp eye for detail, is next up. For full coverage in AP News: https://apnews.com/Trumpimpeachmentinquiry

TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-VIEWERS GUIDE — Gradually, administration officials on both sides of the Atlantic understood that Trump was using a back channel headed by Rudy Giuliani to push Ukraine to investigate the Biden family. What to expect from Thursday’s impeachment testimony. SENT: 790 words, photos. With TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-TAKEAWAYS — EU ambassador says “everyone was in the loop”; TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-FACT CHECK — Trump’s dubious claim about Gordon Sondland.

TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-UKRAINE’S-FRONT-LINE — U.S.-made medical equipment, night-vision devices and countermortar radar make a difference for Ukrainian troops fighting Kremlin-backed separatists on the front line of the standoff between Russia and the West. Sometimes, it’s the difference between life and death. So when $400 million in U.S. military aid to Kyiv was held up this year, Ukrainians got nervous. By Inna Varenytsia. SENT: 1,050 words, photos, video. Also see MORE ON IMPEACHMENT below.

ELECTION 2020-DEBATE — Democratic presidential candidates clash in a debate over the future of health care in America, racial inequality and their ability to build a winning coalition to take on Trump next year. By Bill Barrow, Will Weissert and Jill Colvin. SENT: 1,010 words, photos, video. With ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-TAKEAWAYS — Candidates cover a lot of familiar ground; ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-FACT CHECK — Questionable claims about climate change, Medicare for All and student loans. Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.

LEBANON-FINANCIAL-CRISIS — On one of Beirut’s main commercial streets, store owners are cutting salaries by half or considering shutting down. Shops advertise sales, but still can’t draw in customers. The only place doing a thriving business: the store that sells safes, as Lebanese increasingly stash their cash at home. It’s a sign Lebanese fear their country’s financial crisis, which has been worsening for months, could tip over into disaster. By Bassem Mroue. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.

MISTER ROGERS-NEIGHBORHOOD FAITH — In western Pennsylvania, where Fred Rogers’ actual neighbors were, the ripples he left behind reveal a strong sense of faith — not merely the religious faith that shaped his ideals but a deep, nonsectarian commitment to the impressive, imperfect, always striving patch of the world where he chose to make both his program and his home. By National Writer Ted Anthony. SENT: 1,950 words, photos.

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