The regional bureau of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers.
1. WHAT PENCE’S MEETINGS WILL FOCUS ON
The U.S. vice president assures Japan’s prime minister “we are with you 100 percent” during a visit amid escalating tensions over North Korea as the crisis overshadows talks on economic issues.
2. US SUPREME COURT HALTS ARKANSAS EXECUTION
The ruling scuttles efforts to resume the death penalty after nearly 12 years in a state rushing to carry out executions before its supply of a lethal injection drug expires.
3. NATIONWIDE HUNT ON FOR FACEBOOK SHOOTER
Videos of Cleveland shooting suspect Steve Stephens show him talking about his despair over gambling debts and trouble with his girlfriend along with how he wanted to kill innocent people.
4. WHERE TRUMP IS HEADING
The U.S. president travels to Wisconsin, where he plans to sign an executive order seeking to make changes to a visa program that brings in high-skilled workers.
5. IVANKA INC. THRIVING
Since her father was elected president, sales of Ivanka Trump merchandise have surged and her company has applied for at least nine new trademarks, AP finds.
6. VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS IN GEORGIA
The race to fill Tom Price’s former congressional seat is considered an early barometer of Trump’s popularity in the suburban Atlanta district.
7. FANTASY SPORTS INDUSTRY NO SURE BET ANY LONGER
The industry has contracted sharply since questions about the legality of online games offered by companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings sparked court and legislative battles across the U.S. last year.
8. IT’S TAX TIME, AND NEWS ISN’T ALL BAD
Tax season generates about $300 billion in refunds, a significant boost to the U.S. economy.
9. AMID BOMBS, BOOKS
Ali al-Moussawi hopes his mobile bookstore revives a love for words in Baghdad, which was once the literary capital of the Muslim world but is now better known for bombs than poems.
10. UPON FURTHER REVIEW …
Nothing is set yet, but AP learns that Major League Baseball and umpires are expected to discuss an NFL-style plan for crew chiefs to wear microphones and explain the calls.