Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Monday, May 11, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. SMALL NORTH TEXAS TOWN DECIMATED
About two dozen people are injured and some homes destroyed after a severe storm strikes the small Texas town of Van.
2. MOROCCAN FIGHTER JET MISSING AHEAD OF YEMEN CEASE-FIRE
Shiite rebels and allies in Yemen’s armed forces routinely fire anti-aircraft guns at Saudi-led warplanes; a pause in fighting to allow in humanitarian aid is expected to start Tuesday.
3. MISSISSIPPI CITY STILL REELING AFTER POLICE DEATHS
With lowered flags and prayers, Hattiesburg is mourning two officers, and the four people arrested after their shooting deaths are slated to appear in court.
4. 1,600 ROHINGYAS, BANGLADESHIS LAND IN INDONESIA, MALAYSIA
The refugees apparently were left after human traffickers abandoned their virtual prison ships and left them to fend for themselves.
5. WHY FEWER HAITIANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
The Caribbean nation’s overhaul of the system includes steps to close bad orphanages and protect parents from being manipulated into giving up their children.
6. HOW A NEW CANCER TEST IS CHANGING REMEDIES
A new type of blood test is starting to transform treatment, sparing patients the surgical and needle biopsies.
7. NEW YORK CITY JAIL HEALTH PROVIDER FAILS AT BETTER RATING
AP’s Jake Pearson reports that the performance of the private health care provider failed to improve last year amid heightened scrutiny over inmate deaths.
8. SAN FRANCISCO COMMUTERS SNUB PUBLIC TRANSIT FOR $6 BUS RIDE
Critics call private bus, shuttle services that offer spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and wait service another sign of elitism in San Francisco.
9. SELF-DRIVING CARS GETTING DINGED IN CALIFORNIA
After getting clearance in California to drive on public roads, four of the some 50 self-driving cars have gotten into accidents since September, AP’s Justin Pritchard finds.
10. PRINCE DEBUTS SONG ABOUT BALTIMORE AT ‘RALLY 4 PEACE’
The pop star takes the stage before thousands dressed in gray in tribute to a man whose death in police custody prompted riots and drew international attention.