Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. DARK STORY BEHIND SEAFOOD SOLD IN AMERICA
Poor migrant workers and children are being sold to factories in Thailand and forced to peel shrimp that ends up in global supply chains, including those of Wal-Mart and Red Lobster, an AP investigation finds.
2. HOW OBAMA HOPES TO ALLAY TERRORISM CONCERNS
The president plans to meet with his National Security Council on Monday, then give a public update on the fight against Islamic State militants.
3. TRUMP BACKERS ARE BAFFLED BY CRITICISM OF HIS MUSLIM PROPOSAL
The candidate’s supporters see his plan as an entirely reasonable response to a clear and present threat.
4. FRENCH FAR RIGHT COLLAPSES IN REGIONAL ELECTIONS
Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration party fails to win a single region in the latest balloting, after dominating the first round of voting following the extremist attacks in Paris.
5. MAN SHOT BY LA DEPUTIES WAS REPORTEDLY HOLDING WEAPON
“When he collapsed, his arms were underneath him, and the gun was still in his hand,” says homicide Capt. Steven Katz, but questions remain as to why the police kept firing.
6. 5 MONTHS AFTER CHATTANOOGA, FEDS QUIET ON ANY TERROR LINKS
Labeling it a terror attack would make its victims eligible for the Purple Heart and entitle its survivors to additional payments and benefits.
7. WHERE MOST SEX OFFENDER PAROLEES ARE EXEMPT FROM BAN
In California, convicts previously banned from living near places where children congregate now face no restrictions after the state changed its policy in response to a court ruling, the AP learns.
8. CHINESE POLICE SCUFFLE WITH PROTESTERS AT TRIAL
Prominent rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang is tried on charges of stirring ethnic hatred with commentaries posted online that were critical of the Communist Party.
9. BOSTON COMPANY TURNS ROADKILL INTO FASHION
Animal rights groups have mixed feelings about this alternative to wild fur trapping and large-scale fur farms.
10. WHAT HOLLYWOOD IS READY FOR
On Monday evening, three theaters will roll out red carpets for the world premiere of the hugely anticipated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
