Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, May 29, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. HASTERT INDICTMENT OFFERS FEW CLUES
Allegations that the former U.S. house speaker agreed to pay a person millions in hush money does not reveal what he did wrong.
2. RUMBLE IN ZURICH: ALI VS. BLATTER
As he seeks another term, FIFA’s president faces a stern challenge from Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Hussein as soccer’s governing body reels from the tumult of a corruption crisis — again.
3. ATTACKS ON TOP BAGHDAD HOTELS KILL 15
Nobody has claimed responsibility yet, but the bombings suggest the Islamic Sate group is able to strike at the most fortified locations in the Iraqi capital with impunity as the Taliban do in Kabul.
4. U.N. FALLOUT AMID ABUSE CASE PERSISTS
AP’s Cara Anna finds that the U.N.’s poor handling of child sex abuse claims against French soldiers has human rights staffers fearing for their jobs.
5. MIGRANT TALKS OFF TO CONTENTIOUS START
A meeting to address the swelling tide of boat people in Southeast Asia begins with a Myanmar official criticizing those who blame his country for causing the crisis.
6. FLOOD WORRIES CONTINUE IN LONE STAR STATE
Officials are closely monitoring the levels of rivers in Texas engorged by the deluge of last weekend.
7. OK, SPELL ‘SCHERENSCHNITTE’
That’s what Vanya Shivashankar did correctly as she shared the Scripps National Spelling Bee with Gokul Venkatachalam, becoming the second co-champions in as many years.
8. HOW WOMEN EXECS ARE FARING
Female CEOs are outpacing their male colleagues in pay, although they remain vastly outnumbered in the top echelons of American companies.
9. NEW LAB CAN CREATE HURRICANE CONDITIONS
A 75-foot-long tank filled with seawater can simulate Category 5 conditions to help researchers understand why some storms fizzle while others grow into monsters.
10. TRAINER GROWS INTO ELDER STATESMAN
Bob Baffert, winner of 11 Triple Crown races, says a heart attack helped change his perspective — and his attitude.