Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER TRAFFIC STOP
The shooting by the white policeman of a black motorist as he ran away was captured on video by a bystander.
2. HOW RAND PAUL STARTS WHITE HOUSE CAMPAIGN
The tea party favorite is set to spend his first full day as a presidential candidate meeting with voters in New Hampshire.
3. U.S. TO EXPEDITE WEAPONS DELIVERIES TO SAUDI-LED YEMEN COALITION
Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken blames the violence on the rebels, known as Houthis, and forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, saying they have created instability that al-Qaida seeks to exploit.
4. WHY TURKISH-KURDISH PEACE PROCESS IS PAUSED
Efforts to end strife between Turkey and Kurds are one of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s achievements, but with key parliamentary vote looming, the president hits the brakes on talks.
5. FERGUSON POLLS RESHAPE CITY COUNCIL
Voters elect two black candidates, increasing African-American representation in the St. Louis suburb at the center of a national debate about how police interact with minorities.
6. ATTACK IN MEXICO KILLS 15 POLICE OFFICERS
Fears grow that drug gangs could launch a military-style offensive against the government after the carefully planned ambush in Jalisco.
7. OBAMA HOLDS FEWEST STATE DINNERS SINCE TRUMAN
With each event averaging about $500,000, officials looked for other ways the president could cement relationships with foreign leaders without spending public dollars for a lavish black-tie affair.
8. SOUTH KOREAN ACTIVIST SENDS ‘THE INTERVIEW’ DVDS TO NORTH KOREA
Lee Min-bok says his balloons also contained dollar bills and political leaflets criticizing Kim’s government.
9. WHAT HELPS SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOOD KEEP CLEAN
Mobile bathrooms on wheels are so successful that Honolulu and New York inquire about them in seeking solutions for similar sanitation problems.
10. TV RECORD FOR NCAA TITLE GAME
Duke’s 68-63 comeback win over Wisconsin on CBS averaged 28.3 million viewers, the most since 1997, when Arizona upset defending champion Kentucky in overtime.
