WA--Washington Digest, 1pm update, WA

September 28, 2022 GMT

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select Washington stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of Washington and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org

Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the Seattle bureau at 206-682-1812 or 1-800-552-7694. The West Regional Desk can be reached at (602) 417-2400.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Coverage Plan will keep you up to date. All times are Pacific unless specified otherwise.

TOP STORIES:

FIRST-WIND-SOLAR-BATTERY-PLANT

PORTLAND, Ore. — A renewable energy plant being commissioned in Oregon on Wednesday that combines solar power, wind power and massive batteries to store the energy generated there is the first utility-scale plant of its kind in North America. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 880 words. With AP photos.

AMAZON SLEEP TRACKER

NEW YORK — Soon enough, a bedside Amazon device might know whether you’re sleeping — or not. The e-commerce and tech giant said Wednesday that it will release a device that can track sleeping patterns without a wristband. SENT: 300 words. With AP photo.

SPORTS

FBC-T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS

For a few ranked teams, the first month of the season was all about home sweet home. SENT: 1000 words. With AP photos.

BKL—WORLD CUP JACKSON’S FAREWELL

SYDNEY — Thirty minutes after Australia knocked off Canada in the preliminary round of the women’s basketball World Cup, Lauren Jackson was back on the court signing autographs and posing for selfies with hundreds of adoring fans. SENT: 810 words.

LOCALIZATION

VIRUS OUTBREAK-STATE SPENDING-LOCALIZE IT — Though the coronavirus pandemic has receded from its peak, states and local governments still are in the midst of spending billions of dollars they received in pandemic relief aid from the federal government. The American Rescue Plan, signed last year by President Joe Biden, provided $350 billion of discretionary aid to states, territories, tribes, counties and cities. Officials can spend it in a wide variety of ways, including on public health services, initiatives to counter the negative economic effects of the virus, and general government operations. An Associated Press analysis found states are planning to spend a comparatively small amount of their aid on traditional public health services. Far more is planned for public infrastructure. We provide a look at each state’s spending plan, plus ideas and resources for local reporting. Find the latest Localize It guides here.

SEX ABUSE-MORMON CHURCH-LOCALIZE IT — An Associated Press review has found 33 states exempt clergy from laws requiring professionals such as teachers and doctors to report information about alleged child abuse to police or child welfare officials if the church deems the information privileged. This loophole has resulted in an unknown number of child sex abuse cases being allowed to continue for years despite the perpetrator having confessed the behavior to religious officials. Over the past two decades lawmakers in these states have proposed more than 100 bills seeking to create or amend child sex abuse reporting laws, the AP review found. We provide the list of states, details on efforts to change their laws and tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides here.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-STATE PLANS-LOCALIZE IT — All 50 states have received final approval to begin construction on a first nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations that places one roughly every 50 miles along interstate highways. It’s part of the Biden administration’s plan to spur widespread adoption of zero-emission cars. The Transportation Department approved plans Tuesday for the last set of 17 states that will install or upgrade fast chargers along 75,000 miles of highway, coast to coast. We provide a look at the latest states to have their plans approved and offer tips for localizing the story. Find the latest Localize It guides here.

VIDEO

Hurricane ian looks large from space

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HurricaneIanlookslargefromspacestation/d32bb09a4b7342a09c9bd86317afe024/video?Query=ian&mediaType=video&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=66¤tItemNo=2

Biden warns against raising oil prices

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BidenwarnsagainstraisingoilpricesasIannears/b0c80679d6de48a8841a580ae05a3ffc/video?Query=ian&mediaType=video&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=66¤tItemNo=0

DeSantis, its going to be a nasty 2 days

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DeSantisItisgoingtobeanasty2days/779aecca0fe34431bcd07d3279a99dc5/video?Query=ian&mediaType=video&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=66¤tItemNo=3

AUDIO

Hurricane Ian nears Florida landfall with 155 mph winds

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HurricaneIannearsFloridalandfallwith155mphwinds/930af77eeb174107b9219380a40a6b16

Cuba in the dark after hurricane knocks out power grid

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Cubainthedarkafterhurricaneknocksoutpowergrid/819966559355407aaa93de594829eacb

White House gains partners to end US hunger within a decade

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WhiteHousegainspartnerstoendUShungerwithinadecade/f7b5274741dd42c4b83b16e9d078f1ff

California man sentenced to 4 years for COVID-19 loan fraud

https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Californiamansentencedto4yearsforCOVID-19loanfraud/6954160cba2f48e18948c2c682c6bd59

U.S. STORIES

TROPICAL WEATHER — Hurricane Ian’s most damaging winds began hitting Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday, lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge after strengthening over the Gulf. Developing. With photos, video.

SEX ABUSE-MORMON CHURCH — In 33 states, clergy are exempt from laws requiring professionals such as teachers, physicians, and psychotherapists to report information about alleged child abuse to police or child welfare officials — if the church deems the information privileged. This loophole has resulted in an unknown number of predators being allowed to continue abusing children for years despite having confessed the behavior to religious officials. SENT, 2,560 words, photos. An abridged version planned.

FIRST WIND-SOLAR-BATTERY PLANT — A renewable energy facility in Oregon that combines solar power, wind power and massive batteries to store the energy generated there will be the first utility-scale plant of its kind in North America. SENT: 880 words, photos.

ROCKY HORROR-TOUR — Grab your toilet paper. Bring a flashlight. Don’t forget a newspaper — or your fishnets. A touring, interactive version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is hitting the road to celebrate the cult film’s birthday with screenings, live shadow casts, the invitation to be inappropriate and one of its original stars — Barry Bostwick. SENT: 700 words, photo.

STORYSHARE

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Looking for more news and photos? Sign up for AP StoryShare, an online platform where news organizations share content in all formats. THE LATEST STORYSHARE NETWORK: Missouri. Add content to your report and expand the reach of your team’s coverage. There are active networks covering 19 states and counting, as well as topic-based networks for reporting on education and Indigenous peoples. The site is free for AP members, but you’ll need a special account to take part. Please reach out to your AP representative or email us at storyshare@ap.org. To learn more, go to https://www.ap.org/storyshare.

If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.