The regional bureau of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Thursday, May 4, 2017. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. GOP REVIVES HEALTH CARE BILL
Republicans are planning a House vote on their prized health care bill, which would let Trump claim a victory six weeks after GOP leaders nearly left the measure for dead.
2. PRINCE PHILIP WILL STOP CARRYING OUT ENGAGEMENTS
The 95-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II will continue heading numerous charitable organizations but will not play an active role in public events, Buckingham Palace says.
3. WHICH IRS RULE TRUMP IS TARGETING
Trump plans to sign an executive order further weakening a rarely enforced agency edict that says churches that endorse political candidates risk losing their tax-exempt status.
4. WHO HAS ANTAGONIZED PYONGYANG
The state-run Korean Central News Agency says that “a string of absurd and reckless remarks are now heard from China every day only to render the present bad situation tenser.”
5. HOW PUERTO RICO IS ENTERING UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Uncertainty is spreading across Puerto Rico and the U.S. municipal bond market as the territory takes an unprecedented step into federal court to restructure a portion of its $73 billion debt.
6. WHY FRANCE WILL SOON HAVE A LEADER LIKE NO OTHER
Either Marine Le Pen, a populist who could dismantle Europe’s post-war unity, or Emmanuel Macron, a political novice, will be president.
7. JAILED VENEZUELA ACTIVIST DISPELS RUMORS OF HEALTH EMERGENCY
Reports that jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez was rushed to a military hospital in a medical emergency sets off a frenzied rush information on the activist, but proved to be wrong.
8. WHAT ‘GRAY DEATH’ IS
It’s a new and dangerous opioid combo that underscores the ever-changing nature of the U.S. addictions epidemic.
9. WHERE A LAGOON IS DYING
Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, America’s most biologically diverse waterway, is choked with algae, dead fish, manatees, and bird, because of farm runoff and a huge influx of people.
10. LATE-NIGHT HOST DEFENDS TRUMP REMARKS
Stephen Colbert says he has no regrets about a crude sexual reference regarding the U.S. and Russian presidents that prompted calls to fire him and boycott “Late Show” advertisers.