Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers:
1. WHAT A WITNESS SAYS OREGON GUNMAN SAID
Chris Harper Mercer, who opened fire at rural Umpqua Community College, asked his victims their religion before shooting, killing nine.
2. NEW TALIBAN LEADER EXTOLS AFGHAN INSURGENCY
Mullah Akhtar Mansoor tells AP exclusively that their capture of Kunduz was a “symbolic victory” – even though the group pulled out of the city after three days.
3. PENTAGON WEIGHS PROTECTION FOR U.S.-TRAINED REBELS
Russian airstrikes in Syria prompts discussions about whether the U.S. should use military force to protect Syrian rebels if they come under fire.
4. HURRICANE JOAQUIN COULD THREATEN U.S. AFTER LASHING BAHAMAS
Forecasters are warning that the Category 4 storm could grow even stronger as it roars along a path that could take it near the U.S. East Coast.
5. HOW ISRAEL IS RESPONDING TO SETTLER ATTACK
Israel’s military deploys hundreds of troops in the West Bank after Palestinian gunmen killed a Jewish settler couple driving their children there.
6. WHAT VATICAN IS SAYING ABOUT KIM DAVIS
Pope Francis’ meeting with the Kentucky clerk who went to jail for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses “should not be considered a form of support of her position.”
7. EPA MISSED BEST CHANCE TO CATCH VW CHEATING
The agency years ago helped develop a technology that allowed a lab to catch Volkswagen’s cheating on car emissions tests, but did not apply that technology on its own tests of diesel cars.
8. MURDERS TEST BANGLADESH ANTI-RADICALISM CLAIMS
A string of slayings claimed by radical Islamic groups has the South Asian nation scrambling to contain what appears to be a rising tide of extremism.
9. RECORDS OFFER PEEK INTO PORT AUTHORITY PROBE
Documents obtained by AP delve into the legal strategies explored by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials investigated for a decision to divert $1.8 billion from an agency rail project to state highway repairs.
10. RAVENS KICK WAY PAST STEELERS
Justin Tucker makes a 42-yard field goal in the final seconds of regulation to tie it and knocks through a 52-yarder with 5:08 left in overtime to lift Baltimore to a wacky 23-20 win over Pittsburgh.
