Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, June 19, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. FRIEND RECALLS DYLANN ROOF BECOMING AVOWED RACIST
Joey Meek says the suspected Charleston black church gunman ranted that “someone needed to do something about it for the white race.”
2. OVER 130 PRISON ESCAPEES ON LOOSE NATIONWIDE
AP’s Jennifer Peltz also finds that many have been gone so long that authorities have scant prospects of finding them, if they’re even alive.
3. GREEK ISLAND OF LESBOS SWAMPED BY REFUGEES
Thousands of Syrian and Iraqi migrants are flooding Greek shores and authorities in debt-wracked Greece are struggling to cope.
4. INTRODUCING … THE RAIDERS
That’s what an elite branch of the U.S. Marine Corps will be known as in a move resurrecting a name used by World War II units that carried out risky operations.
5. PERIL, PROMISE FOR PRESIDENT
For Obama, an encouraging vote on his trade agenda and a tragedy in South Carolina showcase the promise and peril of his presidential end game.
6. WHO IS LATEST SPECIES TO BE TRACKED IN FEDERAL LANDS
Scientists are putting tracking devices on a new species — people — as they try to learn more about how their movements affect ecosystems in national parks.
7. REMAKING BRIAN WILLIAMS’ IMAGE
After NBC’s decision to remove the “Nightly News” anchor and reassign him to MSNBC, the embattled news reader faces a quest to rebuild his credibility and dignity.
8. STORM HEADS NORTHEAST AFTER FLOODING OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS
A weather system that once was Tropical Storm Bill prompts flood warnings across the Ozarks and middle Mississippi Valley.
9. WHAT FINANCIAL ADVICE SOME HAVE FOR GREECE
Europeans in countries which adopted unpopular austerity measures to overcome the recent financial crisis are starting to reap the rewards.
10. CHAMBERS BAY LIVES UP TO TOUGH BILLING
Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson share the lead at 5-under 65 at the U.S. Open, while Tiger Woods struggles to an opening-round 80.