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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TOP STORIES
A view from a drone shows the destruction at a mobile home park near Windsor, N.C., that was hit by a tornado spawned by Isaias, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Two people were killed. (Julia WallThe News & Observer via AP)
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LEBANON — Residents of Beirut awoke to a scene of utter devastation, a day after a massive explosion at the port sent shock waves across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. Smoke was still rising from the port, where a towering grain silos had been shattered. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out. At hospitals across the city people had been waiting all night for news of loved ones who had gone missing or were wounded. By Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam. SENT: 920 words, photos. With LEBANON-EXPLOSION-PHOTO GALLERY — Terror, death, devastation in Lebanon explosion; LEBANON-THE LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TEXAS-BORDER — The U.S. failure to contain the pandemic has been laid bare in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. For nearly a month, the region that serves as America’s southern doorstep pleaded for a field hospital, but not until this week was one ready and accepting patients. In July alone, Hidalgo County reported more than 600 deaths. That’s more than the Houston area, which is five times larger. By Paul J. Weber. SENT: 1,210 words, photos.
People chant during a protest Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas against a law signed this week by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to mail ballots to all of the state's active voters ahead of the November election. The law has drawn criticism from Republicans, most prominently by President Donald Trump, who has promised a lawsuit to block the law. (AP PhotoJohn Locher)
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-EXPERTS — A chasm has grown between President Donald Trump and his team of public health experts as the coronavirus pandemic has spread to all reaches of the country, with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame. The result has been a daily delivery of a mixed message to the public at a moment when coherence is most needed. By Aamer Madhani, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 1,080 words, photos, video.
TROPICAL-WEATHER — At least six people were killed as Tropical Storm Isaias spawned tornadoes and dumped rain along the U.S. East Coast after making landfall as a hurricane in North Carolina, where it caused floods and fires that displaced dozens of people. By Bryan Anderson and Sarah Blake Morgan. SENT: 1,020 words, photos, videos.
JAPAN-HIROSHIMA-SURVIVORS — The atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima 75 years ago didn’t just kill and maim. The survivors have also lived for decades with lingering shame, anger and fear. Many in Japan believed radiation sickness is infectious or hereditary. By Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 1,140 words, photos. With JAPAN-HIROSHIMA-TRAM-GIRL — Hiroshima survivor recalls working on tram after A-bomb.
People protest Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas against a law signed this week by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to mail ballots to all of the state's active voters ahead of the November election. The law has drawn criticism from Republicans, most prominently by President Donald Trump, who has promised a lawsuit to block the law. (AP PhotoJohn Locher)
ELECTION-2020-HOUSE-MISSOURI-CLAY — Cori Bush, a onetime homeless woman who led protests following a white police officer’s fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old in Ferguson, ousted longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri’s Democratic primary, ending a political dynasty that has spanned more than a half-century. By Summer Ballentine. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Washington.(AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-POLITICS — Republican senators up for reelection are a key group to watch in Washington’s coronavirus negotiations. SENT: 980 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Progress slow as urgency grows on virus relief legislation.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — Australia’s hot spot Victoria state announces a record 725 COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths, while businesses in Melbourne city prepare to draw down their shutters as new pandemic restrictions are enforced. SENT: 580 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — Figures showing California has slowed the rate of coronavirus infections may be in doubt because a technical problem has delayed reporting of test results, the state’s top health official says. SENT: 610 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-LIVES-LOST-PHILIPPINES-BABY — Lives Lost: Parents of Filipino baby Kobe Christ hoped would play basketball. SENT: 910 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHICAGO-SCHOOLS — Chicago Public Schools is expected to announce that it will start the school year with all-remote learning in response to coronavirus concerns, according to published reports. SENT: 260 words, photo.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
A separate wire advisory has moved outlining our complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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ELECTION-2020-KANYE-WEST-WISCONSIN — Kanye West files in Wisconsin to run for president. SENT: 180 words, photo.
CHICAGO VIOLENCE-SHOOTING — Three shot, one fatally in violence on fashionable Chicago street. SENT: 150 words, photos.
AUSTRALIA-US-CHINA — Australian leader says U.S.-China war no longer inconceivable. SENT: 410 words.
FRANCE-FIRES — Twenty-two hurt, 2,700 evacuated from fires near Marseille. SENT: 220 words.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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ELECTION-2020-SENATE-KANSAS — Kansas Republicans nominate Rep. Roger Marshall for the Senate over polarizing conservative Kris Kobach, heeding the party establishment’s advice as it tries to keep a normally safe seat out of play in what could be a difficult year for the GOP. By Political Writer John Hanna. SENT: 940 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-KANSAS-2ND Kansas Rep. Watkins unseated after facing criminal charges.
ELECTION-2020-MICHIGAN-HOUSE-13 — “Squad” member Rashida Tlaib was trying to fend off a serious challenge for her House seat in Michigan’s primary, in a rematch with the woman she narrowly defeated two years ago. SENT: 500 words, photo.
ELECTION-2020-WASHINGTON-GOVERNOR — Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee advances in Washington’s primary election as he seeks to become the first incumbent elected to a third term in the state in more than 40 years. SENT: 330 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-SENATE-ARIZONA — Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic astronaut Mark Kelly secure their parties’ nominations in the Arizona race to finish the late John McCain’s U.S. Senate term. SENT: 660 words.
ELECTION-2020-MISSOURI — Voters make Missouri the 38th state to approve expanding Medicaid health care coverage to thousands more low-income adults. SENT: 850 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-ST.-LOUIS-PROSECUTOR — St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, whose job performance has been lauded by some civil rights activists and criticized by Trump and other leading Republicans, holds off a challenge from a former homicide prosecutor in a primary election. SENT: 620 words, photos.
TRUMP-MAIL-VOTING — In an abrupt reversal, Trump is encouraging voters in the critical swing state of Florida to vote by mail after months of criticizing the practice — and while his campaign and the GOP challenge Nevada over its new vote-by-mail law. SENT: 850 words, photos, video.
ELECTION SECURITY-STATES — State and local officials are receiving additional tools from the federal government to help defend the nation’s election systems from cyberthreats ahead of the November vote, as intelligence officials continue to warn about foreign efforts to interfere in the U.S. election. SENT: 710 words, photos.
Find more AP coverage of the 2020 U.S. Elections.
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NATIONAL
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GEORGE FLOYD-MINNEAPOLIS POLICE — A Minneapolis commission is expected to take up a proposed amendment that would dismantle the city’s Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death and replace it with a new public safety department. SENT: 690 words, photo.
MISSING-KIDS-IDAHO — A judge rules there’s enough evidence for a man to go to trial after the bodies of his new wife’s two children were found buried on his Idaho property. SENT: 830 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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KASHMIR-REVOCATION-ANNIVERSARY — Authorities enforce security restrictions in many parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir, a year after New Delhi revoked the disputed region’s semi-autonomy in a decision that set of anger and economic ruin amid a harsh security clampdown. SENT: 370 words, photos. With AP EXPLAINS-INDIA-KASHMIR ANNIVERSARY; KASHMIR-REIMAGINING-SCHOOL-PHOTO-GALLERY.
US-TAIWAN — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is scheduled to visit Taiwan in coming days in the highest-level visit by an American Cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979. SENT: 630 words, photos.
INDIA-DISPUTED TEMPLE — Despite the coronavirus restricting a large crowd, Hindus were joyful as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to break ground on a long-awaited temple of their most revered god Ram at the site of a demolished 16th century mosque in northern India. SENT: 710 words, photos. With TIMES SQUARE-INDIA-DISPUTED TEMPLE Times Square advertisers asked not to run Hindu temple ad.
SRI LANKA-ELECTION — Sri Lankans started voting to elect a new Parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers. SENT: 210 words, photo.
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BUSINESS/TECH
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VIRGIN ATLANTIC-BANKRUPTCY — Virgin Atlantic, the airline founded by British businessman Richard Branson, files for protection in U.S. bankruptcy court as it tries to survive the virus pandemic that is hammering the airline industry. SENT: 470 words, photo. With AUSTRALIA-VIRGIN Virgin Australia plans to shed staff under new U.S. owners.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian stock markets were mixed amid investor concern about U.S. stimulus spending and a trade agreement with Beijing. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 630 words, photos.
WAYMO-UBER-PRISON-SENTENCE — A former Google engineer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing trade secrets before joining Uber’s effort to build robotic vehicles for its ride-hailing service. By Technology Writer Michael Liedtke. SENT: 540 words, photo.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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FILM REVIEW-THE SECRET GARDEN — For more than a century, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden,” first published in 1911, has endured. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 440 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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SOCIAL INJUSTICE-WNBA — WNBA players urged people to vote against Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler, a Republican U.S. senator running to keep her seat in Georgia. SENT: 620 words, photo.
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HOW TO REACH US
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