Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers:
1. WHAT TRUMP DIDN’T DO AT A TOWN HALL
The Republican presidential front-runner declines to challenge a questioner in New Hampshire who incorrectly states that Obama is a Muslim and “not even an American.”
2. SERBIA ANGERED BY CROATIAN MOVE
Croatia closes all of its border crossings with Serbia except for one after straining to cope with some 13,000 refugees who entered the country after Hungary closed off its border in the last two days.
3. HOW CURRENT WAVE OF MIGRATION COMPARES HISTORICALLY
The number of refugees globally stands at a record 60 million, and draws comparisons with World War II, yet it pales to the internal movement within China, where about 253 million rural farmers have moved to cities for work.
4. HOUSE BILLS MAY MOLLIFY CONSERVATIVES
GOP leaders are on track to pass a measure targeting Planned Parenthood and another curbing some abortion procedures.
5. WHY THE FED HAS YET TO RAISE RATES
Economists say the central bank needs to see a stable dollar, steady oil prices and a stronger job market before it would consider raising interest rates.
6. WHO IS CRITICIZING POPE
Francis plans to meet with Cuba’s president and its priests, its young and its sick, its churchgoers and its seminarians. But not its dissidents, sparking bitter critiques.
7. COMMUNITIES MAKING EFFORTS TO BECOME ‘DEMENTIA FRIENDLY’
As recognition, diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s increases, U.S. cities are embracing efforts to make it easier for the stricken in their everyday interactions.
8. WOMEN MAY BE EXCLUDED FROM SOME MILITARY ROLES
The Marine Corps is expected to ask that women not be allowed to compete for several front-line combat jobs, inflaming tensions between Navy and Marine leaders.
9. HE. SHE. ZE. THEY.
Many colleges now let or encourage transgender, genderqueer students choose their pronouns.
10. BRONCOS SHOCK CHIEFS WITH LATE RALLY
Denver cornerback Bradley Roby returns Jamaal Charles’ second fumble 21 yards for a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining, stunning Kansas City 31-24.
