Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. COMPROMISE COMES TO CAPITOL HILL
A new budget deal to avert government shutdowns gains important ground among House Republicans, even though it would nudge federal deficits higher.
2. POLITICAL DIVIDE DEEPENING DIFFERENCES IN HEALTH COVERAGE
More people are picking private insurance plans or being routed to Medicaid programs in states with Democratic leaders than in Republican-led states.
3. UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT AGREES TO EU DEAL
European Union foreign policy chief says Yanukovych “intends to sign” the far-reaching agreement that he rejected only last month.
4. WHAT `FAKE’ INTERPRETER HAS TO SAY
The man who was incoherently signing next to world leaders at Mandela’s memorial tells the AP that he was hallucinating, saw “angels,” and has been violent in the past.
5. COURT DATE SET FOR REVENGE PORN SUSPECT
A San Diego man has been charged with operating a website that let people anonymously post explicit photos of others in an effort to extort money.
6. IRAQ WAR VET ACCUSED OF STEALING MILITARY IDs
The National Guardsman faces federal charges in connection with the theft of identities and security clearance levels of members of his former Army unit.
7. NASA DEALING WITH SPACE STATION MALFUNCTION
A valve on a pump on one of two external cooling loops shut down because it was too cool, but the agency says no astronauts are in danger.
8. WHERE TO PREPARE FOR DRONE JOBS
A North Dakota university’s unmanned aircraft degree program, the nation’s first, explodes from five students in 2009 to 120 students last year.
9. WHO WILL GET GOLDEN GLOBES
Expect to get more clarity on the entertainment awards season when nominations are announced in Beverly Hills, Calif.
10. MLB TO BAN HOME PLATE COLLISIONS
In a sport long bound by tradition, the expected ban will be a major step and could be imposed as soon as next season.
