Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. TWIST IN COURT-MARTIAL OF ARMY GENERAL
The sex assault case is jeopardized by word that the military may have pursued a trial partly to demonstrate that it does not take such allegations lightly.
2. WHY SEARCH FOR LOST PLANE HAS PROVEN DIFFICULT
The seas are vast, and the Malaysia Airlines jetliner may have veered from its normal flight path.
3. WHY A JUDGE IS STOPPING NSA RECORDS DESTRUCTION
Millions of telephone records collected by the government are being preserved so an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against the agency can proceed.
4. BEST-SELLING AUTHOR DIES
Joe McGinniss, who skewered the marketing of Richard Nixon and became the scourge of convicted killer Jeffrey MacDonald in the blockbuster “Fatal Vision,” was 71.
5. AT PISTORIUS TRIAL, GRIM RECOUNTING OF GIRLFRIEND’S INJURIES
The pathologist who performed the autopsy on Reeva Steenkamp’s body gives graphic descriptions of her gunshot wounds — testimony that causes the Olympic sprinter to vomit.
6. COLORADO’S POT TAX WINDFALL
The Rocky Mountain state raked in $2 million in marijuana taxes in January, the first month of recreational sales.
7. FATHER OF CONNECTICUT SCHOOL GUNMAN SPEAKS
Adam Lanza’s father says in a magazine interview that his son was clearly capable of great evil — and even would have “killed me in a heartbeat, if he’d had the chance.”
8. MCDONALD’S FIGHTS TO KEEP CUSTOMERS
Amid intensifying competition, the veteran fast-food chain is, among other things, testing a “build your own burger” concept.
9. E-CIGARETTES A HIT, DESPITE HEALTH CONCERNS
Nicotine “vaping” now has its own YouTube gurus, trade associations, lobbyists, vapefest meet-ups and trendy hipster hangouts.
10. NHL GAME CALLED OFF WHEN PLAYER FALLS ILL
Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley is in stable condition after suffering a heart problem and collapsing on the bench during a game against Columbus.
