Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. ISLAMIC STATE GROUP SILENT AS DEADLINE PASSES
Families of a Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot remain in limbo, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap comes and goes.
2. RAP MOGUL ‘SUGE’ KNIGHT QUESTIONED BY POLICE
The Death Row Records founder turned himself in in connection with a hit-and-run incident in Compton, California, that left one man.
3. WHICH CASE IS 35 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Pedro Hernandez is going on trial in the murder and kidnapping case of 6-year-old Etan Patz, who fueled missing-child activism in 1979.
4. WHO IS TRYING TO STAND OUT IN WHITE HOUSE BID
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is expanding his political operation as he fights for early momentum in the crowded field of GOP presidential prospects.
5. WHAT IS UNNERVING AN OLYMPIC CITY
More than a dozen people in Rio de Janeiro have been struck by stray bullets from gunbattles in recent weeks, unnerving the city hosting the 2016 Games.
6. BALLOONISTS PASS DISTANCE RECORD
Their next milestone is a 1978 duration record of 137 hours, 5 minutes and 50 seconds — the “holy grail” of ballooning achievements.
7. U.S.-BACKED MEXICO DAM PROJECT DEFEATED
Residents quashed the three-year, $30 million hydroelectric plant project, saying construction damaged their homes and tainted their drinking water.
8. MEET THE FIRST SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPEINT
Seventy-five years ago, Vermont’s Ida May Fuller helped launch the granddaddy of all entitlement programs.
9. KATY PERRY GOING ‘OLD SCHOOL’ FOR HALFTIME SHOW
AP’s Howard Fendrich reports that the pop star’s surprise musical guest will be Grammy winner Missy Elliott.
10. GETTING READY FOR THE ‘BIG GAME’
Corporations and mom-and-pop shops in Phoenix are finding ways to circumvent the NFL’s ban on use of the words “Super Bowl” to capitalize on football fever.