AP News Digest 4 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.

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President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP PhotoNell Redmond)

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.

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport in Gastonia, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP PhotoNell Redmond)

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President Donald Trump dances after speaking at a campaign rally in Gastonia, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP PhotoNell Redmond)

VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. regulators who will decide the fate of COVID-19 vaccines are taking an unusual step: Asking outside scientists if their standards are high enough. The Food and Drug Administration may have to decide by year’s end whether to allow use of the first vaccines against the virus. A federal advisory committee will pull back the curtain on that decision process, debating whether the guidelines FDA has set for vaccine developers are rigorous enough. By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

Supporters cheer as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP PhotoEvan Vucci)

RACIAL INEQUITY-CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION — Career and technical education is viewed as a gateway to good jobs, but a new Hechinger/AP analysis on enrollment data from 40 states finds that Black and Latino students are often less likely than their white peers to enroll in science, technology, engineering, math and information technology classes. By Sarah Butrymowicz, Jeff Amy and Larry Fenn. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. An abridged version of 990 words is also available.

Commuters wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus ride bicycles across an intersection in Beijing, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the planet has surpassed 40 million, but experts say that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true impact of the pandemic that has upended life and work around the world. (AP PhotoMark Schiefelbein)

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A medical staff takes a swab from a man who was invited to attend the commemorating conference on the 70th anniversary of the Chinese army entering North Korea to resist the U.S. army, for the coronavirus test, at a hotel in Beijing, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the planet has surpassed 40 million, but experts say that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true impact of the pandemic that has upended life and work around the world. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)

BILLBOARD-LATIN-MUSIC-AWARDS — Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee top Billboard Latin Music Awards. SENT: 160 words, photos, video.

A man wearing a face mask carries his dog across the medieval Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. In another desperate attempt to slow the rise of coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic, Health Minister Roman Prymula has announced a ban on free movement of people in the country and a closure of many stores, shopping malls and hotels. At the same time, state offices will limit their opening hours. Prime Minister Andrej Babis says those measures should prevent the collapse of the health system in early November. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek)

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Pro-democracy activists protest in front of Government House, the prime minister's offices in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Thailand's prime minister on Wednesday pleaded with his countrymen to resolve their political differences through Parliament, as student-led protests seeking to bring his government down continued for an eighth straight day. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA-THEME-PARKS — Now that California health officials announced strict new rules for reopening amusement parks, attractions spanning from Disneyland to Universal Studios are bracing for an even longer shutdown — and so are the surrounding communities lined with hotels, restaurants and shops that cater to visitors who no longer walk their streets. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.

People walk along a canal in the Naviglio district in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. Italy's day-to-day increase in confirmed coronavirus infections ballooned on Wednesday, as the northern region of Lombardy saw its daily new caseload double in one day, reaching levels far above those that were registered in those first, devastating weeks in the country where the pandemic first emerged in Europe. Lombardy was poised to impose an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew starting on Thursday. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-MASK-6 FEET — Experts recommend wearing masks in public and staying at least 6 feet away from others to reduce the risk of a coronavirus infection, but whether you should do both could depend on the situation. SENT: 310 words, graphic.

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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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VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. regulators who will decide the fate of COVID-19 vaccines are taking an unusual step: Asking outside scientists if their standards are high enough. The Food and Drug Administration may have to decide by year’s end whether to allow use of the first vaccines against the virus. A federal advisory committee will pull back the curtain on that decision process, debating whether the guidelines FDA has set for vaccine developers are rigorous enough. By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

RACIAL INEQUITY-CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION — Career and technical education is viewed as a gateway to good jobs, but a new Hechinger/AP analysis on enrollment data from 40 states finds that Black and Latino students are often less likely than their white peers to enroll in science, technology, engineering, math and information technology classes. By Sarah Butrymowicz, Jeff Amy and Larry Fenn. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. An abridged version of 990 words is also available.

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BILLBOARD-LATIN-MUSIC-AWARDS — Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee top Billboard Latin Music Awards. SENT: 160 words, photos, video.

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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA-THEME-PARKS — Now that California health officials announced strict new rules for reopening amusement parks, attractions spanning from Disneyland to Universal Studios are bracing for an even longer shutdown — and so are the surrounding communities lined with hotels, restaurants and shops that cater to visitors who no longer walk their streets. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-MASK-6 FEET — Experts recommend wearing masks in public and staying at least 6 feet away from others to reduce the risk of a coronavirus infection, but whether you should do both could depend on the situation. SENT: 310 words, graphic.

ONLY ON AP

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LOOKING FOR AMERICA-VOTING WHILE BLACK — With America roiling over questions of racial justice and a divisive election just days away, the AP Road Trip team made its way to Mississippi, and the scene of an infamous 1964 triple murder of civil rights workers fighting for Black voting rights. By Tim Sullivan. SENT: 2,380 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 1,000 words is also available.

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TOP STORIES

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ELECTION 2020-DEBATE — President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, are set to square off in their final debate, one of the last high-profile opportunities for the trailing incumbent to change the trajectory of an increasingly contentious campaign. By Jonathan Lemire, Bill Barrow and Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video. UPCOMING: Debate at 9 p.m. With ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-VIEWERS GUIDE — The bar to improve upon the last debate is low; ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-QUESTIONS — Trump’s coronavirus response, Biden’s son, a mute button and more.

VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. regulators who will decide the fate of COVID-19 vaccines are taking an unusual step: Asking outside scientists if their standards are high enough. The Food and Drug Administration may have to decide by year’s end whether to allow use of the first vaccines against the virus. A federal advisory committee will pull back the curtain on that decision process, debating whether the guidelines FDA has set for vaccine developers are rigorous enough. By Lauran Neergaard and Matthew Perrone. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

SUPREME COURT-BARRETT — Despite a Democratic boycott, Republicans are powering ahead to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court by Election Day. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote to recommend Trump’s nominee to the full Senate. By Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 890 words, photos. UPCOMING: 990 words after 9 a.m. vote. With SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-AP EXPLAINS — What’s next for Barrett?

UAE-GUANTANAMO-DETAINEES — The Guantanamo detainees were promised they were being sent to a Muslim country for rehabilitation that would help integrate them into society, opening the way to jobs, money, and marriage, according to their lawyers and families. It was a lie. By Maggie Michael. SENT: 1,640 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,080 words is also available.

RACIAL INEQUITY-CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION — Career and technical education is viewed as a gateway to good jobs, but a new Hechinger/AP analysis on enrollment data from 40 states finds that Black and Latino students are often less likely than their white peers to enroll in science, technology, engineering, math and information technology classes. By Sarah Butrymowicz, Jeff Amy and Larry Fenn. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. An abridged version of 990 words is also available.

ELECTION 2020-ANXIOUS LEADERS — While the world will be closely watching the U.S. election, some countries will be watching more closely than others. A number of prominent world leaders have a personal stake in the outcome of the race, with their fortunes depending heavily on the success — or failure — of Trump. Perhaps none has so much riding on a Trump victory as Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. By Josef Federman. SENT: 1,160 words, photos.

Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.

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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

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FILM-BORAT-2-RUDY-GIULIANI — Rudy Giuliani shown in hotel bedroom scene in new “Borat" film. SENT: 580 words, photos.

BILLBOARD-LATIN-MUSIC-AWARDS — Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee top Billboard Latin Music Awards. SENT: 160 words, photos, video.

WESTMINSTER-DOG-SHOW-OUTDOORS — Wanna go for a walk? Westminster dog show leaves NYC for ’21. SENT: 290 words, photos.

POLICE SHOOTING-ILLINOIS — Illinois authorities investigate fatal shooting of Black teen by cop. SENT: 270 words.

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