Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know today, Friday, Sept. 20. 2013. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
Note: Here is the link to AP’s 10 things to see this week:
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/10-things-see-week-top-ap-photos-27
1. “GET DOWN!”: WOMAN’S FRANTIC ESCAPE FROM THE NAVY YARD
A worker describes what it was like on the inside when former Navy reservist Aaron Alexis shot and killed 12.
2. HOW RESERVIST’S PROBLEMS ELUDED SECURITY
An AP review finds the system of background checks and clearances is so unreliable it’s virtually impossible to investigate the nearly 5 million Americans who have them.
3. WHAT THE POPE ENVISIONS FOR THE CHURCH
Francis says the church is sometimes obsessed by “small-minded rules” and says pastors should emphasize compassion over condemnation.
4. REPUBLICANS CONTINUE BID TO PUT HEALTH OVERHAUL ON ICE
House GOP set for a showdown vote on a stopgap funding bill that keeps the government running while undercutting President Obama’s health care law.
5. AL-QAIDA MILITANTS SEIZE SYRIAN TOWN
The infighting threatens to further split opposition forces outgunned by President Assad’s troops and strengthen his hand.
6. SCIENTISTS STRUGGLE TO EXPLAIN APPARENT WARMING LULL
A report says the rate of warming in 1998-2012 was about half the average rate since 1951 even though greenhouse gas emissions keep rising.
7. DELAY’S CONVICTION IN DONATION CASE TOSSED
A Texas appeals court says there was insufficient evidence for a jury to have found the former House majority leader guilty.
8. POLICE CHIEF’S VIDEOS FLOP WITH MAYOR
Officials intend to fire a small-town police chief after he posts online videos of himself shooting automatic weapons and spewing profanity-laced tirades.
9. NOT A MARTIAN IN SIGHT
Scientists report no methane has been found in the last eight months by the Mars Curiosity rover, diminishing hope of finding present-day life on the red planet.
10. PRINCE OF A GUY WORKS AT DAIRY QUEEN
An employee sees a woman pick up $20 dropped by a visually impaired man and refuses to serve her until she gives it back. When she refuses, he gives the man $20 from his own pocket.
