Greater Mid-Atlantic News Digest 1 p.m.

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

Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to 919-510-8937, 202-641-9660, 410-837-8315, 804-643-6646 or metro@ap.org. Mid-South Assistant News Director Jonathan Drew can be reached at 919-510-8937 or jdrew@ap.org.

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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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 Eastern unless specified otherwise.

NORTH CAROLINA

ELECTION 2024-NORTH CAROLINA-PRIMARY

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina State Board of Elections meets to certify the results of the March 5 primaries. Four GOP races -- two statewide and two congressional -- are heading to May 14 runoffs. By Gary Robertson.

ELECTION 2024-BIDEN

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will team up in Raleigh, North Carolina, for an event focused on promoting their health care agenda. North Carolina is the final stop on Biden’s tour of battleground states since his State of the Union earlier this month. Polls show Democrats have an advantage over Republicans on health care. Democrats are looking to push their advantage as they face a likely rematch with Donald Trump this year. Biden and Harris are also expected to attend a campaign fundraiser in Raleigh on Tuesday. Their visit comes the day the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case about access to a widely used abortion pill. By Chris Megerian. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.

____

SOUTH CAROLINA

ACCOUNTING ERRORS-SOUTH CAROLINA

It appears South Carolina has about $1.8 billion that has collected in a bank account over the past decade and accountants are still trying to figure out where the cash came from and where it was supposed to go. It's the latest problem with the state's books and the two agencies typically led by elected officials put in charge of making sure government accounts stay balanced. By Jeffrey Collins. UPCOMING : 650 words, photo by 4 p.m.

ELECTION 2024-HALEY

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nikki Haley’s base of voters and donors was never big enough to seriously challenge Donald Trump. But her supporters are still splintered weeks after she dropped out of the GOP primary. If that holds, it could hurt Trump’s general election chances. The former president faces particular skepticism in battleground states full of suburban voters who remain dubious of a Trump return to the White House. Some Haley supporters say in interviews that they’ll get behind Trump. Others are looking at third-party options like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or considering a reluctant vote for President Joe Biden. By Meg Kinnard and Thomas Beaumont. SENT: 810 words, photos.

____

VIRGINIA

LOTTERY JACKPOT POWERBALL

The Powerball jackpot has increased to an estimated $865 million after yet another drawing without a big winner, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day. The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23. Since the last jackpot winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without someone matching all of the game’s six numbers. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because the odds are so long, at 1 in 292.2 million. The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million. SENT: 190 words, photo.

____

MARYLAND/DELAWARE

MARYLAND-BRIDGE-COLLAPSE

BALTIMORE — A container ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore, causing the span to buckle into the river below. The collapse plunged a construction crew and several vehicles into the dangerously cold waters. Rescuers pulled out two people, but six others were missing. The ship’s crew issued a mayday call moments before the crash took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Maryland governor said the mayday enabled authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span. The ship struck one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to collapse like a toy. It tumbled into the water in a matter of seconds. By Lea Skene. SENT: 940 words, photo, video, audio.

— With: BRIDGE COLLAPSES-LIST, MARYLAND-BRIDGE-COLLAPSE-SHIPPING, MARYLAND-BRIDGE-THE LATEST, MARYLAND-BRIDGE-COLLAPSE-WHAT WE KNOW, MARYLAND-BRIDGE-COLLAPSE-KEY BRIDGE

____

LOCALIZATION

US-MED--SPRING ALLERGIES-LOCALIZE IT: Allergy season is earlier and stronger than expected. We offer context, reporting tips and a list of the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies in 2024, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Find the latest Localize It guides.

US--GAMBLING ADDICTION-LOCALIZE IT: The firing of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend after allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball player has shined renewed attention on compulsive gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling describes it as gambling that is damaging to a person or their family. About 2.5 million people in the U.S. have a severe gambling problem, with another 5 million to 8 million people having lesser degrees of addiction. The team fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara on Wednesday after reports about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million. This guide includes state details on problem gambling funds and sport betting revenue. Find the latest Localize It guides.

US-SUPREME COURT-ABORTION-LOCALIZE IT: The Supreme Court is considering a new abortion case affecting women across the U.S. Abortion opponents want the high court in arguments Tuesday to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to a medication called mifepristone, which was used in nearly two-thirds of abortions last year. The case comes two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, enabling bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states. A decision should come by late June. Find the latest Localize It guides.

OLY-PARIS OLYMPICS-ATHLETES-LOCALIZE IT: The 2024 Summer Olympics begin July 26 in Paris and run through Aug. 12 with American athletes competing for medals in 45 different sports. The Paralympics run Aug. 28 through Sept. 8 in 22 sports. Olympic berths already have been clinched with many more slots still to be filled through qualifying trials. We link to a spreadsheet with qualifying athletes and their hometowns. This guide will be updated. Find the latest Localize It guides. Find the latest Localize It guides.

US--NCAA-SPORTS BETTING-LOCALIZE IT: The AP offers suggestions and resources for localizing a story on sports betting laws ahead of March Madness, including a list of rules by state. Find the latest Localize It guides.

US--CENSUS-MIGRATION-LOCALIZE IT: Counties in the U.S. South continued to grow last year, as those in the Northeast and Midwest lost population. And Harris County, home to Houston, grew by more people than any U.S. county primarily due to births outpacing deaths. These are some of the findings from the 2023 population estimates that the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. The estimates show where people migrated to, if they moved domestically or from abroad, and where births outpaced deaths or vice versa. We offer additional context and reporting suggestions. Find the latest Localize It guides.

US-XGR-CHILD-MARRIAGES-LOCALIZE IT: Adult women who left marriages they entered as minors are calling on Missouri lawmakers to outlaw child marriage. Research by the nonprofit group Unchained At Last shows Missouri is among the majority of states that have laws permitting 16- and 17-year-olds to be married. In Missouri, a parent must sign off on the union. Bills pending in several states this year would prohibit underage marriages completely. We offer reporting suggestions and resources. Find the latest Localize It guides.

____

AUDIO

Cargo ship lost power and issued mayday before hitting Baltimore’s bridge, governor says

Feds search Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ properties as part of sex trafficking probe, AP sources say

UK court orders delay to extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to US on espionage charges

High school teacher and students sue over Arkansas’ ban on critical race theory

____

NEW TO STORYSHARE: SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM NETWORK

Looking for more state news and photos? Sign up to participate in AP StoryShare, an online platform where news organizations from a growing list of states share content.

Besides state and regional news, StoryShare offers distinctive reporting around broad topics such as climate, education and Indigenous affairs. The platform now also has a network devoted to solutions-focused journalism.

Access to StoryShare is free for AP members. For account information, contact Jennifer Lehman at jlehman@ap.org or our team at storyshare@ap.org.

------------------------------

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.

------------------------------