The regional bureau of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. FLYING TOMATO REIGNS SUPREME — AGAIN
Shaun White executes a combination of tricks he had never landed until he did it with the halfpipe title on the line to capture his third Olympic gold medal.
2. SHAUN WHITE REFERS TO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT LAWSUIT AS ‘GOSSIP’
3. WHAT HAS PROMINENT REPUBLICAN WOMEN FRUSTRATED
The White House’s handling of abuse charges against two senior presidential aides raises new concerns in the struggle to attract female voters.
4. ‘IT’S LIKE YOU’RE IN A WAR ZONE’
A company tied to Trump’s two grown sons owns a 171-acre preserve in upstate New York that they and others use as a private shooting range, AP learns.
5. NEW FRONTS EMERGE IN SYRIA AS WAR WINDS DOWN
Chaos persists as al-Qaida-affiliated rebels shot down a Russian jet, Kurdish fighters downed a Turkish helicopter, Israel downed an Iranian drone and the Syrian army shot down an Israeli F-16.
6. WHO CALLED FOR NETANYAHU TO STEP DOWN
Israeli opposition leaders call on the embattled prime minister to resign following police recommendations that he be charged with bribery and breach of trust in two corruption cases.
7. POLICE RAID BUSINESS FAMILY LINKED TO ZUMA; RESIGNATION ULTIMATUM LOOMS
The Guptas are suspected of using their connections to influence the South African president’s Cabinet appointments and win state contracts, fueling corruption allegations.
8. OFFSHORE DRILLING PUBLIC HEARINGS NOT SO PUBLIC
Opponents of Trump’s plan to open most of the nation’s coastline to oil and natural gas drilling are prohibited from speaking at public meetings held by the government on the topic.
9. WHO SAYS HE PAID STORMY DANIELS
Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen says he paid $130,000 out of his own pocket to the porn actress who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006.
10. THIS POOCH IS TOP DOG
Flynn the bichon frise won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club, a choice that seemed to surprise almost everyone in the crowd at Madison Square Garden.