Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know today, Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. OBAMA PREPARED TO ACT UNILATERALLY AGAINST SYRIA
Following the British Parliament’s refusal to support military action against the Syrian government for suspected use of chemical weapons, White House officials say Obama is undeterred. French President Francois Hollande also gives a nod of approval.
2. WHY NOT JUST TAKE OUT SYRIA’S CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Experts say it would be unlikely that the United States would bomb Syria’s chemical weapons storehouses because it cannot be done safely.
3. GOING TO POT?
Will other states follow the lead of Colorado and Washington state now that the federal government has given them the green light to decriminalize marijuana?
4. WHO WILL RECEIVE SETTLEMENTS IN THE $765M CONCUSSION-RELATED DEAL WITH THE NFL
Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett and Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien will be among the thousands of former players with concussion-related health problems receiving compensation under an agreement with the NFL.
5. WHY TYLENOL CAPS ARE GETTING NEW WARNING LABELS
Overdoses from acetaminophen send 55,000 to 80,000 people to the emergency room in the U.S. each year and kill at least 500.
6. 2 IVY LEAGUE-TRAINED ECONOMISTS, 1 JOB
Lawrence Summers, a White House insider, and Janet Yellen, a veteran of the Federal Reserve, are seen as leading contenders to replace Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Fed, the nation’s central bank.
7. BAN ON GAY-TO-STRAIGHT PSYCHOTHERAPY STANDS
A federal appeals court upholds the nation’s first-of-its-kind law in California prohibiting health practitioners from offering psychotherapy aimed at making gay youth straight.
8. A FATAL JOYRIDE
A 6-year-old girl was killed when she and her brother went for a joyride in the family car and crashed into a pole. Initially, the mother called the police thinking the two had been kidnapped.
9. WHAT A TOOTH IS WORTH THESE DAYS
The Tooth Fairy is keeping up with inflation. This year kids are getting an average of $3.70 per lost tooth, an increase over last year’s $3 a tooth.
10. CHIMPANZEE ‘ENRICHMENT SESSION’ PAYS OFF
A 37-year-old primate that paints with his tongue wins an art contest and $10,000 for his sanctuary, Chimp Haven, in Louisiana.
