Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. OBAMA ASKS CONGRESS FOR NEW WAR POWERS
In seeking approval to attack the Islamic State group, he also vows not to repeat the large and costly ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2. MOTIVE SOUGHT IN DEADLY CONFRONTATION
Authorities are investigating whether hate or a parking dispute led to the fatal shootings of three Muslims near the University of North Carolina.
3. VETERAN ’60 MINUTES’ CORRESPONDENT BOB SIMON DIES
The reporter, whose career spanned five decades, was killed in a car accident in New York City. He was 73.
4. ITALIAN CRUISE SHIP CAPTAIN GETS 16 YEARS, 1 MONTH IN PRISON
Prosecutors had sought a significantly longer term for Francesco Schettino, who abandoned the Costa Concordia after it wrecked, killing 32.
5. WIDOW OF ‘AMERICAN SNIPER’ TESTIFIES AT MURDER TRIAL
As her husband left for the shooting range where he was killed, “we just said we loved each other and gave each other a hug and kiss,” Taya Kyle tells jurors.
6. MYSTERY SHROUDS OFFICIAL’S OUSTER
The No. 2 staffer at the Secret Service has been removed and given a new federal post — but no one will say what it is.
7. WHICH DEVICES PROMISE TO REVOLUTIONIZE STROKE CARE
Patients treated with new brain stents were far more likely to be alive and able to live independently three months after a stroke, researchers say.
8. CHICAGO’S LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM STRIPPED OF NATIONAL TITLE
The punishment follows an investigation that revealed the team falsified boundaries to field ineligible players.
9. HOW ‘SNL’ WILL CELEBRATE 40TH BIRTHDAY
A three-hour anniversary special airs Sunday — and all sorts of people associated with the show through the years have been invited.
10. JERRY TARKANIAN DIES AT 84
The Hall of Fame coach won a national title at UNLV and made the school synonymous with basketball.
