Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. HOW AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT SUPREME COURT POLITICAL BATTLE
Nearly 2 in 3 back Democrats’ demands that the Republican-run Senate hold hearings and a vote on Obama’s pick Merrick Garland, but it may not damage the GOP too much, an AP-GfK poll finds.
2. ‘COUNT ME OUT’
House Speaker Paul Ryan rules out a bid for president this year, insisting that the party’s choice should emerge from the group of candidates who pursued the GOP nomination.
3. CHINA QUASHES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASE
A judge rules against a gay couple in a landmark decision, disappointing the country’s emerging LGBT rights movement.
4. GANGS DECLARE WAR ON POLICE AS EL SALVADOR VIOLENCE RAGES
Analysts say the increased willingness by both sides to attack each other directly is a sign that the conflict threatens to explode into open warfare.
5. SYRIANS BEGIN VOTING FOR NEW PARLIAMENT
At stake is a new 250-member parliament that is expected to serve as a rubber stamp for President Bashar Assad as fighting rages on the ground and peace talks are set to resume in Geneva.
6. WHO’S BEEN QUIET IN GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Several country music artists have condemned proposed laws that critics say discriminate against LGBT people, but record labels and production companies in Nashville have been largely silent on the issue.
7. WHAT LEBANESE AUTHORITIES BROKE UP
A sex trafficking ring involving 75 Syrian women trafficked to Lebanon and forced into prostitution has shocked the nation hosting one million refugees from the war-torn country.
8. WHY ‘WOMEN ONLY RIDES’ ARE A QUANDARY
Ride-hailing companies catering exclusively to women are cropping up and raising thorny legal questions, namely: Are they discriminatory?
9. NEW BUSINESS CATERS TO CANINES
Food trucks in Seattle have flourished to include all kinds of cuisine, but now a new truck is focusing on doggy treats.
10. WHO AP THINKS WOULD WIN NBA MATCHUP
Michael Jordan’s 1995-96 Bulls team would beat Stephen Curry’s Warriors, whether they break Chicago’s regular-season record or not, AP’s Jim Litke says.