Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. FOCUS SHIFTS TO TURNOUT IN LAST HOURS OF CAMPAIGNING
The president still looms large over the midterm elections as the GOP and Democrats clash over his legacy.
2. WHO IS PAYING FOR CAMPAIGN ADS
In eight of the 12 most competitive races in the midterm elections, outside groups outspent the actual people on the ballots.
3. HOW TERMINALLY-ILL ADVOCATE ENDED HER LIFE
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old brain cancer patient, took lethal drugs prescribed by her doctor after campaigning for months for the expansion of assisted-suicide laws.
4. VIRGIN SPACESHIP’S DESCENT SYSTEM DEPLOYED EARLY
The NTSB finding doesn’t fully explain why SpaceShipTwo disintegrated in flight.
5. ISRAEL DENIES ENTRY TO RELEASED 1982 PLANE BOMBER
Documents released to the AP show that Washington has been trying to deport the Jordanian-born Palestinian terrorist to the West Bank for over a year.
6. WHERE COPS IN FERGUSON DIDN’T WANT THE MEDIA
The federal government restricted more than 37 square miles of airspace for safety, but audio recordings show that local authorities privately acknowledged the purpose was to keep away news helicopters during protests.
7. BRITISH MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING TWO WOMEN IN HONG KONG
One of the victims was found dead inside a suitcase on the balcony of the 29 year-old’s upscale apartment in the Asian financial hub.
8. SESEAME STREET TURNS 45
TV’s longest-running children’s program has managed to stay on the air by adapting to technology and changes in society–now the Cookie Monster sometimes eats fruits and vegetables.
9. ROBOTIC PENGUIN DESIGNED TO SPY ON REAL ONES
It’s pretty darn cute, and so convincing that penguins essentially talk to it, as if it is a potential mate for their chicks.
10. BLINDFOLDED MAN WALKS TIGHTROPE BETWEEN SKYSCRAPERS
High-wire artist Nik Wallenda, great-grandson of Karl Wallenda of the famous Flying Wallendas circus family, made the nail-biting walk in Chicago with no harness or net.
