Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Thursday, July 2, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. WHAT GREECE IS BRACING FOR
More chaos on the streets outside its mostly shuttered banks as the country and its creditors halt talks on resolving the deepening financial crisis until a national referendum on creditor proposals is held this weekend.
2. U.S. EMPLOYERS LIKELY HIRED AT ANOTHER STRONG PACE IN JUNE
That’s a sign that the job market is nearing full health and giving the Federal Reserve reason to raise interest rates as early as September.
3. WHO’S IN LINE FOR TOP DIPLOMATIC POST IN CUBA
Supporters of Jeffrey DeLaurentis say his experience on the Caribbean island nation makes him the favorite to be the first U.S. ambassador to Havana in almost 55 years.
4. FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILS IN TENNESSEE
At least one CSX freighter car carrying a flammable and toxic gas is off the tracks and catches fire in a town south of Knoxville, prompting an evacuation within a one-mile radius.
5. TRUMP FALLOUT CONTINUES
Macy’s joins an ongoing exodus from association with the billionaire mogul and New Mexico’s governor and New York City’s mayor slam him over his comments on Mexican immigrants.
6. AFTER TRADE DEAL, OBAMA SEEKS TO REPAIR LABOR RIFT
The president travels to Wisconsin to try to mend fences with his labor allies, promoting his union-backed plan to make more workers eligible for overtime.
7. HOW PYONGYANG BECAME EVEN LESS WIRED
A limited number of foreigners who can access the Internet in North Korea with relative freedom have noticed blacklist warnings on some social media accounts and websites.
8. HEEDING POPE, IOWA CATHOLICS TO PRESSURE 2016 FIELD
Roman Catholic leaders here are calling for presidential candidates to focus on the environment and income inequality in the general election.
9. PIANO MAN SETS MSG RECORD
Billy Joel sets the mark for most performances by a single artist at Madison Square Garden with his 65th show, besting Elton John.
10. HOOP DREAMS AS BIG BUCKS FLY
Kevin Love resigns with Cleveland and Tyson Chandler takes his talents to Phoenix as more than $1 billion worth of deals are made on the first day of NBA free agency.