Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. UKRAINE PRESIDENT BLAMES OPPOSITION LEADERS FOR ERUPTION OF VIOLENCE
Yanukovych says he has tried to compromise with protest leaders; EU calls emergency meeting as death toll rises to 25.
2. OBAMA ADMINISTRATION STRUGGLING FOR NEW STRATEGY ON SYRIA
As peace talks falter and civil war drags on, U.S. is reconsidering old ideas, including more help for Western-backed rebels.
3. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO GET FEDERAL LOAN GUARANTEES
Energy Department to approve $6.5 billion for plant in Georgia. When finished around 2018, it will be first in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
4. HOW INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE WOULD AFFECT EMPLOYMENT
Rise to $10.10 an hour by 2016 would give 16.5 million people a raise but cost about 500,000 jobs, Congress’ nonpartisan analysts say.
5. SOCHI NOT ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
AP’s Oskar Garcia finds that with Paralympics less than three weeks away, Olympic Park and its venues not entirely barrier-free.
6. WHERE CULTURE OF “ANYTHING GOES” ON THE ROAD IS BEING REINED IN
Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, is installing stoplights, road signs for the first time in effort to end traffic lawlessness.
7. WHAT IS WORSE THAN SNOW FALLING FROM THE SKY
City dwellers dealing with icicles, chunks of frozen snow raining down from skyscrapers. Architects say energy-efficient new buildings may be the worst.
8. NEW PRESIDENT WANTS TO SAVE IRAN’S BIGGEST LAKE
The tourist attraction and rest stop for birds has shrunk 80 percent in a decade because of expanded irrigation and construction of dams.
9. READ OUR 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT POWERBALL JACKPOT
Here’s one: The odds of winning tonight’s $400 million drawing, which are 1-in-175 million, don’t change as the jackpot grows.
10. JIMMY FALLON’S DEBUT A RATINGS WINNER FOR NBC
“The Tonight Show” drew 11.3 million viewers Monday night, but fell short of the 14.6 million when Jay Leno signed off Feb. 6
