Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. HAUNTING IMAGE OF SYRIAN BOY RESCUED FROM ALEPPO RUBBLE
The picture of the stunned and wounded boy, sitting inside an ambulance covered in dust and with blood on his face, is being widely shared on social media and captures the horror of the daily bombardment of the city.
2. GOP PLANNING CONTINGENCY IF TRUMP FALTERS
The Republican National Committee concedes it may divert resources away from the presidential contest in favor of vulnerable Senate and House candidates if his standing does not improve.
3. WHAT TREND IS TROUBLING FOR THE NATION
The rich keep getting richer while more Americans are getting left behind financially, leading to a thinning of the middle class.
4. FEDS TO VISIT FLOOD-WRACKED LOUISIANA
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is slated to visit the devastated state to review the U.S. government’s response to the flooding, which has damaged tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
5. CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE BRINGS DESTRUCTION, UNCERTAINTY
As a ferocious wildfire swallows up many homes east of Los Angeles, officials are faced with the difficult task of tallying the damage while still fighting the blaze.
6. US SWIMMING TEAMMATES PULLED OFF RIO PLANE
A lawyer for Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz says they will not be allowed to leave Brazil until they provide testimony to authorities, who are investigating how the athletes got robbed along with star teammate, Ryan Lochte.
7. NORTH KOREA FACING PR CRISIS
The defection of a North Korean senior diplomat in London poses a major problem for Pyongyang on a number of fronts — not least of which is how to publicly respond.
8. AFTER DECADES OF WAR, AFGHANS WARY TO TALK OF MENTAL HEALTH
Experts say the vast majority of the Afghan population suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, yet societal attitudes on mental health hold many back from seeking help.
9. WHO IS MILWAUKEE OFFICER AT CENTER OF PROTESTS
Dominique Heaggan, 24, attended grade school in the city, joined the police force as a teenage aide and has lived near the shooting scene since at least 2012.
10. WHO’S HOPING FOR MORE GOOD FORTUNE IN WILLIAMSPORT
Tokyo teams have won four of the last five Little League World Series titles — and the city’s Chofu squad wants to be the next champ.