Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Friday, May 1, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers:
1. WHO IS TASKED WITH FREDDIE GRAY CASE
Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore’s new chief prosecutor, will decide whether evidence supports criminal charges against police officers.
2. EX-CHRISTIE ALLY TO PLEAD GUILTY
Source tells the AP David Wildstein, a former Port Authority official, will be the first person to admit to committing a crime in causing a series of politically motivated traffic jams in 2013.
3. AFTERMATH OF HISTORIC TEMBLOR TAKES TOLL
Nepal earthquake victims trek from remote mountain hamlets to pick up aid and temporary shelters after sleeping out in the open for days.
4. WHY RURAL HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING THEIR DOORS
AP’s David Lieb finds some of the reasons are changing demographics, medical practices, management decisions and federal policies.
5. KOBANI STILL A GHOST TOWN, MONTHS AFTER LIBERATION FROM IS
Thousands are still stranded in Turkey, reluctant to return to collapsed buildings and at a loss as to how and where to rebuild their lives.
6. A NEW TWIST ON REMOVING OFFENSIVE MONIKERS
Activists in South Dakota are working to rename sites named after men whose acts harmed Native Americans.
7. HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT DRONE ATTACKS
Nearly three-quarters of Americans say it’s acceptable for the U.S. to use an unmanned aerial drone to kill an American citizen abroad if that person has joined a terror organization, an AP poll finds.
8. WHERE SCIENTIST ARE CONDUCTING RED PLANET RESEARCH
A rocky corner of Utah bears such a resemblance to Mars that it’s become a hot spot to run the imaginary 140-million-mile missions to Earth’s neighbor.
9. HOW HOLLYWOOD IS CREATING BUZZ
Studios are trying to court young super fans who blog about movies and in the process, help build excitement among other youngsters ahead of a movie’s debut.
10. BUCCANEERS GET THEIR QB
Tampa Bay selected Heisman Trophy-winner Jameis Winston with the first pick in the NFL draft.
