Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. CLINTON, SANDERS ENGAGE IN FIERCE DEBATE
The confrontation underscores their tightening primary race as the Iowa caucuses draw near.
2. WHICH U.S. DETAINEES IN IRAN ARE HEADED HOME
Reporter Jason Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati and pastor Saeed Abedini are now in Germany, but Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari opts to stay in Iran. Matthew Trevithick is released separately.
3. WHY IRAN DEALS MAY NOT HERALD BIG CHANGES
Rouhani faces intense domestic opposition from hard-liners who fear that Tehran’s opening to the outside world leaves it exposed to corrupting foreign cultural influences.
4. WHAT SOWS GROWING DISILLUSION WITH ISLAMIC STATE GROUP
Syrians who have escaped its rule say jihadi fighters have become an elite, raking in perks, looking down on the “commoners” and ignoring even the rulings of their own clerics.
5. CONFEDERATE FLAG’S REMOVAL TURNS KING DAY INTO CELEBRATION
Civic leaders, activists and others are celebrating and paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday’s 30th federal holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader.
6. “SEVERAL” AMERICANS MISSING IN IRAQ
An Iraqi government intelligence official confirms to the AP that the U.S. nationals were kidnapped from their interpreter’s home in Baghdad.
7. ANOTHER POTENTIAL ‘FIRST GUY’ ON THE 2016 TRAIL
Frank Fiorina is hitting the road in Iowa and other early voting states for his wife Carly Fiorina.
8. BOSTON ORCHESTRA LOANING PATRONS IPADS
The move is intended to help turn new audiences on to classical music.
9. CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The drama “Spotlight” wins the top prize, while Brie Larson and Leonardo DiCaprio receive the top acting prizes for “Room” and “The Revenant.”
10. BRONCOS ROCK ON AFTER 23-16 WIN OVER STEELERS
“This was a dog fight, a grinder and went down to the last drive,” says quarterback Peyton Manning.
