Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers.
1. FIRST AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE GROUP BEGIN IN SYRIA
The Pentagon says the U.S. and its partners used fighter jets, bombers, and cruise missiles to hit militants’ command and control centers.
2. WHAT POLICE FIND IN ACCUSED WHITE HOUSE INTRUDER’S CAR
Investigators discover more than 800 rounds of ammunition in the vehicle of the former soldier who police say scaled the White House fence and sprinted inside carrying a knife, a federal prosecutor says.
3. FLOOD OF REFUGEES PRESSURES TURKEY TO STEP UP EFFORTS VS. MILITANTS
The Islamic State group’s offensive against the Syrian city of Kobani, a few miles from the border, sends 130,000 refugees to seek safety in Turkey in the last few days.
4. WHO WANTS WORLD LEADERS TO MAKE IT MORE COSTLY TO POLLUTE
Hundreds of corporations and other groups say the world can’t hope to slow the heating of the planet until its cost is incorporated into the everyday activities such as using gas- or coal-generated electricity.
5. GAY MARRIAGE SUPPORT MAY BE LEVELING OFF, REPORT SAYS
The new Pew Research poll finds a 5 percentage point drop since February, from 54 percent to 49 percent, in Americans who want legal recognition for same-sex relationships.
6. WHERE STATE TROOPER AMBUSH SUSPECT COULD BE HIDING
Authorities say Eric Frein, accused of shooting two Pennsylvania state troopers, might be taking refuge in homemade bunkers in the state’s northeastern hills.
7. WHY WESLEYAN ORDERS FRATERNITIES TO GO COED
School officials say Greek organizations with houses on campus must have both male and female members to create a more inclusive, equitable and safer campus.
8. AMNESTY: CHINESE TORTURE EQUIPMENT EXPORTS RISE
The human rights group says Chinese production and export of gear such as electric shock wands and neck-and-wrist cuffs connected by a chain has grown dramatically.
9. THE PRIDE OF ‘LION KING’
With a worldwide gross of over $6.2 billion, the stage musical achieves the most successful box office total of any work in any media in entertainment history, The Associated Press learns.
10. NFL VETTING PROCESS: AN INEXACT SCIENCE
Pro football teams try to turn over every leaf before drafting players, and yet, there are things they miss, or simply would never think to investigate.
