AP News Digest - Mid-Atlantic

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DELAWARE - NEW AND DEVELOPING - NEWS

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US--SEVERE WEATHER-FLOODING

Virginia boy swept away as heavy rains and flooding hit several states

SUMMARY: Officials say they have found the body of a 12-year-old boy who was swept away by rushing water during a storm in Virginia. The flooding struck several states Tuesday. Officials say about 200 people were evacuated from a flooded elementary school in Maryland’s Allegany County. Twelve students stayed overnight at an area high school before being picked up. Officials say there are no reports of injured or missing people, however residents are urged to stay home anyways. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Mineral County, which is near Maryland, because of heavy rains and flash flooding.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 4:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c88061b1988da61836314ec76283875&mediaType=text

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US-BOND RATING-MARYLAND

Maryland loses triple-A bond rating from Moody’s rating agency

SUMMARY: Maryland has lost its triple-A bond rating from Moody’s. Maryland has held this top rating since 1973, and state officials have long cited it as a sign of state’s strong fiscal stewardship. Moody’s downgraded the state’s credit rating to Aa1 on Wednesday. The ratings agency cites “economic and financial underperformance compared to Aaa-rated states,” its elevated fixed costs and its “heightened vulnerability to shifting federal policies and employment.” Gov. Wes Moore and other state Democrats blame President Donald Trump’s mass layoffs of federal workers. Maryland Republicans say it’s “a harsh indictment of the state’s current direction” under Democratic leadership.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 2:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c599c33dee9d11bfe90f5f12b5139ea6&mediaType=text

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MARYLAND - UPCOMING - SPORTS

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BBO--TWINS-ORIOLES

DESCRIPTION: Minnesota plays Baltimore at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 05/15/2025 12:35 p.m. EDT, Text

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RAC--PREAKNESS DEBATE

DESCRIPTION: BALTIMORE — To switch the order of the Triple Crown races? To spread them out? To just let horses run on a two-week turnaround? The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty from the Preakness has trainers and other industry leaders debating what changes, if any, are necessary to maintain sport’s traditions and go back to drawing the best horses to a race that used to always start with a shot at a Triple Crown. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos, notebook on merit.

UPCOMING: By 05/15/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--HURRICANES-CAPITALS

DESCRIPTION: WASHINGTON — Up 3-1 in their second round series, the Carolina Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference final if they beat the Washington Capitals on the road in Game 5. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos, breakouts on merit. Game starts at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 05/15/2025 7:10 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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MARYLAND - NEW AND DEVELOPING - NEWS

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US--SEVERE WEATHER-FLOODING

Virginia boy swept away as heavy rains and flooding hit several states

SUMMARY: Officials say they have found the body of a 12-year-old boy who was swept away by rushing water during a storm in Virginia. The flooding struck several states Tuesday. Officials say about 200 people were evacuated from a flooded elementary school in Maryland’s Allegany County. Twelve students stayed overnight at an area high school before being picked up. Officials say there are no reports of injured or missing people, however residents are urged to stay home anyways. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Mineral County, which is near Maryland, because of heavy rains and flash flooding.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 4:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c88061b1988da61836314ec76283875&mediaType=text

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US-BOND RATING-MARYLAND

Maryland loses triple-A bond rating from Moody’s rating agency

SUMMARY: Maryland has lost its triple-A bond rating from Moody’s. Maryland has held this top rating since 1973, and state officials have long cited it as a sign of state’s strong fiscal stewardship. Moody’s downgraded the state’s credit rating to Aa1 on Wednesday. The ratings agency cites “economic and financial underperformance compared to Aaa-rated states,” its elevated fixed costs and its “heightened vulnerability to shifting federal policies and employment.” Gov. Wes Moore and other state Democrats blame President Donald Trump’s mass layoffs of federal workers. Maryland Republicans say it’s “a harsh indictment of the state’s current direction” under Democratic leadership.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 2:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c599c33dee9d11bfe90f5f12b5139ea6&mediaType=text

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NEW JERSEY - UPCOMING - NEWS

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US IMMIGRATION PROTEST-MAYOR-ARRESTED

DESCRIPTION: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is expected to appear in federal court for a status conference after he was accused of trespassing at an immigration detention center in the city.

UPCOMING: By 05/15/2025 12:01 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text, Video

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US NEW JERSEY TRANSIT-ENGINEERS

DESCRIPTION: Continuing coverage on merits as New Jersey Transit train engineers threaten to strike early Friday over a dispute about wages, a move that could suspend the agency’s rail service, leave some 350,000 daily riders scrambling for alternatives and cause chaos for commuters to New York City.

ON MERITS: By 05/15/2025 12:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW JERSEY - NEW AND DEVELOPING - NEWS

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US--AVIATION SAFETY-THINGS TO KNOW

Newark problems and recent crashes put focus on air traffic controller shortage and aging equipment

SUMMARY: The recent chronic delays and cancellations at New Jersey’s largest airport have highlighted the shortage of air traffic controllers and the aging equipment they use, which President Donald Trump’s administration wants to replace. The Federal Aviation Administration is working on a short-term fix to the problems at the Newark airport that includes technical repairs and cutting flights while dealing with a shortage of controllers. But even before those problems, aviation was already in the spotlight ever since the deadly midair collision in January. That investigation continues while the U.S. Department of Transportation tries to make progress on the long-standing issues of not having enough air traffic controllers and relying on outdated equipment.

WORDS: 1489 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 6:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b07eb7cd16e55380d4e9c6fd67c4eef0&mediaType=text

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US--IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT-CONGRESS

ICE head recognizes Congress’ role in visiting detention facilities, even unannounced

SUMMARY: The head of the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement agency has recognized the right of members of Congress to visit detention facilities —even unannounced. In a separate hearing Wednesday, the department’s secretary said members of Congress should have requested a tour of an immigration detention facility in New Jersey where a skirmish broke out last week. Three members of Congress have said they went to the facility to inspect it in their oversight role and federal agents escalated the situation by arresting the mayor of Newark. DHS accused the members of Congress of trying to break into the facility.

WORDS: 791 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 4:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a6db9cf486c9556534ac08a15ced9959&mediaType=text

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US--NEW JERSEY TRANSIT-WHAT TO KNOW

NJ Transit engineers could walk off the job Friday, leaving some 350,000 commuters in the lurch

SUMMARY: Some 350,000 commuters who work in New Jersey and New York City could soon be scrambling for other ways to reach their destinations if New Jersey Transit engineers walk off the job early Friday. The nation’s third largest transit system operates buses and rail in New Jersey, providing nearly 1 million weekday trips, including into New York City. If the walkout occurs, all NJ Transit commuter trains will stop running. Wages have been the main sticking point of the negotiations between the agency and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

WORDS: 851 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 3:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9807962e1e8e05ed823996fb3ebf962&mediaType=text

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PENNSYLVANIA - NEW AND DEVELOPING - NEWS

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US--AVIATION SAFETY-THINGS TO KNOW

Newark problems and recent crashes put focus on air traffic controller shortage and aging equipment

SUMMARY: The recent chronic delays and cancellations at New Jersey’s largest airport have highlighted the shortage of air traffic controllers and the aging equipment they use, which President Donald Trump’s administration wants to replace. The Federal Aviation Administration is working on a short-term fix to the problems at the Newark airport that includes technical repairs and cutting flights while dealing with a shortage of controllers. But even before those problems, aviation was already in the spotlight ever since the deadly midair collision in January. That investigation continues while the U.S. Department of Transportation tries to make progress on the long-standing issues of not having enough air traffic controllers and relying on outdated equipment.

WORDS: 1489 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 6:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b07eb7cd16e55380d4e9c6fd67c4eef0&mediaType=text

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US--CANADA AIRPORT-STOLEN GOLD

Man who allegedly drove a truck in Canada’s biggest-ever gold theft pleads guilty to U.S. gun charge

SUMMARY: Authorities say a Canadian man who drove the getaway truck in the biggest gold theft in Canadian history has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in the U.S., where he was caught trying to smuggle out 65 guns. Durante King-Mclean pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Pennsylvania. Authorities say he faces up to 15 years in prison. King-Mclean was arrested in 2023. At least 10 people have been charged in connection with the guns and the heist from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport two years ago. Stolen were 6,600 gold bars worth 20 million Canadian dollars ($14.5 million) and CA$2.5 million ($1.8 million) in foreign currencies.

WORDS: 319 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 5:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:41da4e49bc7cb8c5a5d464eab7ee3269&mediaType=text

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US--MEASLES OUTBREAK-EXPLAINER

The US has 1,001 measles cases and 11 states with active outbreaks

SUMMARY: The U.S. is up to 1,001 confirmed measles cases. Kansas logged eight more cases in the past week, for a total of 56. The outbreak is linked to a larger one that includes Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Three Americans, including two elementary school-aged children, have died from measles-related illnesses this year. Other states with active outbreaks include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

WORDS: 1595 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 5:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8fb86f56b0892408680daae4a52047e6&mediaType=text

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US--SEVERE WEATHER-FLOODING

Virginia boy swept away as heavy rains and flooding hit several states

SUMMARY: Officials say they have found the body of a 12-year-old boy who was swept away by rushing water during a storm in Virginia. The flooding struck several states Tuesday. Officials say about 200 people were evacuated from a flooded elementary school in Maryland’s Allegany County. Twelve students stayed overnight at an area high school before being picked up. Officials say there are no reports of injured or missing people, however residents are urged to stay home anyways. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Mineral County, which is near Maryland, because of heavy rains and flash flooding.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 4:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c88061b1988da61836314ec76283875&mediaType=text

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US--PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET-MEDICAID

Governor warns Pennsylvanians will lose health care, hospitals will close under GOP cuts to Medicaid

SUMMARY: Gov. Josh Shapiro is warning that cuts to Medicaid health care that Congress is considering would mean billions of dollars in lost federal aid to Pennsylvania, hundreds of thousands of people losing access to the program and more rural hospitals shutting their doors. Shapiro said Wednesday that the state will be unable to make up that amount of lost federal aid. The precise contours of cuts to Medicaid are being hammered out in the GOP-controlled U.S. House. Republicans say they’re trying to make Medicaid work better. Estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office show that at least 7.6 million people could lose health insurance with the proposed Medicaid cuts.

WORDS: 478 - MOVED: 05/14/2025 3:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4514fba111c3a2d14d54f1b66bbd065a&mediaType=text

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