AP News Digest 7 a.m.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. Find the AP’s top photos of the day in Today’s Photo Collection. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.

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ONLY ON AP

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-UNDERGROUND-SCHOOLS —To be a parent in the Ukrainian front-line city of Zaporizhzhia means weighing your child’s life against the Russian weapons within striking distance. Most rain death in an instant: the drones, the ballistic missiles, the glide bombs, the artillery shells. But Russian soldiers control another weapon they have never deployed, with the potential to be just as deadly: The nearby Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. By Lori Hinnant. SENT: 1,860 words, photos, video. WITH: RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-UNDERGROUND-SCHOOLS-TAKEAWAYS (sent).

ELECTION-2024-AP-POLL-ANXIETY — Most Americans are feeling a lot of emotions heading into Election Day, but excitement is not one of them. A new poll from The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about 7 in 10 Americans report feeling anxious or frustrated about the 2024 presidential campaign, and a similar share say they’re interested. Only about one-third say they feel excited. By Linley Sanders. SENT: 400 words, photo.

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TOP STORIES

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ELECTION-2024-DEMOCRACY — Few elections in the nation’s history have provided such a divide as this year’s, with the two major candidates and so many of their supporters saying the outcome will determine the fate of the country and whether it can hold to its democratic moorings. As they cast their ballots, voters have opinions on the divide that is as diverse and complex as the nation itself. Perhaps no place captures this range of perspective more clearly than Charlottesville, Virginia, the site of the “Unite the Right” rally in 2017. By Ali Swenson and Gary Fields. SENT: 1,600 words, photos. An Abridged version of 990 words is also available.

ELECTION-2024-HARRIS — Kamala Harris is calling for Americans to “stop pointing fingers at each other” as she tries to push past comments made by President Joe Biden about Donald Trump’s supporters and “garbage.” Harris made her pitch in Raleigh, North Carolina, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Madison, Wisconsin, as part of a blitz of battleground states in the final week before Election Day. By Will Weissert and Chris Megerian. SENT: 950 words, photos, video, audio.

ELECTION-2024-TRUMP — Donald Trump showered former NFL star Brett Favre with praise on Wednesday at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the former Packers quarterback campaigned for the Republican presidential nominee in the final week before Election Day. SENT: 615 words, photos, video, audio. WITH: ELECTION-2024-TRUMP-GARBAGE-TRUCK — Donald Trump boards a garbage truck to draw attention to Biden remark. (sent).

ELECTION-2024-IRAN-US-WORRIES — America’s presidential election next week comes just after Iran marks the 45th anniversary of 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis. For many, tensions between Tehran and Washington feel just as high as they did then. Iran remains locked into the Mideast wars roiling the region. The currency hovers near record lows against the dollar, battered by international sanctions. Women still openly defy Iran’s mandatory headscarf law after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. There’s a feel of fatalism on the streets of Tehran as Americans vote for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. By Nasser Karimi and Medhi Fattahi. SENT: 1,010 words, photos, video.

MIDEAST-DIPLOMACY — The United States and other mediators are ramping up efforts to halt the wars in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. They are circulating new proposals to wind down the regional conflict during the Biden administration’s final months. Negotiations have been stalled for months and the warring parties have shown no signs of backing down. By Bassem Mroue, Julia Frankel and Samy Magdy. SENT: 1,060 words, photos. WITH: MIDEAST-WARS-THE-LATEST — Officials in West Bank say Israeli raid has killed 3. (sent).

BBO-WORLD-SERIES — The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 1,300 words, photos. WITH: WORLD-SERIES-YANKEES-MELTDOWN — Yankees blow 5-run lead with defensive meltdown; WORLD-SERIES-JAPAN-CELEBRATES — Japan celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series; WORLD-SERIES-HALL-OF-FAME — Freddie Freeman’s World Series spikes, Mookie Betts’ batting gloves going to baseball Hall of Fame. (all sent).

Find a selection of related photos in the World Series photo collection in AP Newsroom.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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ELECTION-2024-DIVINE-NINE — Inspired by the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, individual members of historically Black sororities and fraternities are working to help her presidential campaign and that of downballot candidates. Known as the Divine Nine, the not-for-profit sororities and fraternities are not allowed themselves to endorse a particular candidate and have focused their official efforts on nonpartisan get-out-the-vote and registration campaigns. By Susan Haigh. SENT: 880 words, photos.

UGANDA-REFUGEES-FUNDING-SHORTAGE — Many refugees in Uganda are struggling to get by without the food assistance they once depended on. In a refugee settlement in the country’s southwest, many residents face hunger as funding for refugees has fallen over the years, causing drastic cuts in food rations. Uganda is home to more than 1.7 million refugees, the largest refugee-hosting nation in Africa By Patrick Onen. SENT: 680 words, photos, video.

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MIDEAST WARS

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LEBANON-CIVILIAN-CASUALTIES-FAMILY — Maya Gharib was planning to get married in October, though she was worried her brother living abroad wouldn’t be able to make it back to Lebanon as tensions with Israel grew. On Sept. 23, Israel ramped up its bombardment of Lebanon in an escalating campaign to strike the Hezbollah militant group. One of its strikes directly hit the family’s apartment, killing Maya, her two sisters and their parents. SENT: 710 words, photos.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA—MEDIC-MOTHER — A Palestinian ambulance worker in Gaza was devastated to realize he was carrying his own mother’s body. Seeing her face at the hospital, Abed Bardini broke down in tears, saying: “I didn’t know it was her!” Palestinian health officials said an Israeli airstrike Wednesday killed 61-year-old Samira Bardini. SENT: 380 words, photos, video.

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RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Russian forces struck a residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring scores of others. SENT: 470 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-EUROPE — The United States’ European allies are bracing for an America that’s less interested in them no matter who wins the presidential election — and for old traumas and new problems if Donald Trump returns to the White House. SENT: 920 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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MEXICO-LOST-CITY — Scientists detect traces of an ancient Mayan city in southern Mexico using laser-sensor technology. SENT: 510 words, video.

SPOOKY-SEASON-STORIES — Scary stories from around the world you probably haven’t heard. SENT: 2,550 words, photos, video.

JAPAN-HELLO-KITTY-AT-50 — At 50, Hello Kitty is as ‘kawaii’ and lucrative as ever. SENT: 1,190 words, photos, video.

HAWAII-SNOW — Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak this week, briefly turning the mountaintop into a winter wonderland. SENT: 250 words, photo.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION-2024-TEXT-PESTERING — Across the U.S., people’s phones are pinging with text messages from Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their allies. Both sides are working the texting pipeline aggressively in the presidential campaign’s last days. It’s a cheap and easy way to reach millions of potential donors and voters. It’s also an aggravation for many. SENT: 1,280 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-ABORTION — As voters in nine states determine whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions, opponents are using parental rights and anti-transgender messages to try to undermine support for the ballot proposals. The measures do not mention gender-affirming surgeries. Legal experts say changing existing parental notification and consent laws regarding abortions and gender-affirming care for minors would require court action. SENT: 900 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-VOTER-MOBILIZATION — At this stage of the election, it’s time to get out the vote. This is a crucial step that can make or break the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They are nudging Americans to the polls — or the mailbox or ballot drop-box — to make their choices. Democrats are relying on a traditional strategy of targeted phone calls, text messages and door-knocking, from the party and its allies, to encourage turnout for Kamala Harris. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-MIKE-JOHNSON — As House Speaker Mike Johnson travels the country trying to save his House Republican majority, he has linked ever more tightly to former President Donald Trump. It’s a once uncertain relationship that has become potentially beneficial to both. The speaker is relying on the Republican presidential nominee for his own political survival in the chaotic House. SENT: 920 words, photos, video.

ELECTION-2024-TRANSITION — The presidential transition process has been built on tradition and bipartisanship. It exploded into a point of political contention four years ago, after then-President Donald Trump made baseless claims to dispute his loss and his government delayed kicking off the transition process for weeks. This year, a new law is meant to start the transition sooner, no matter who wins. SENT: 1,090 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-PERCEPTION-HACK — When it comes to election security in the U.S., the weakest link may be human nature. Election and national security officials have said there’s no way a foreign power could successfully alter enough votes to change the outcome of the upcoming presidential contest. But that hasn’t stopped foreign adversaries as well as domestic extremist groups from pushing disinformation intended to make voters question the integrity of the system. SENT: 1,100 words, photo.

ELECTION-2024-CALIFORNIA-VACANT-HOMES-TAX — Voters in the scenic mountain town of South Lake Tahoe in Northern California are considering a tax on vacation homes. Measure N on Tuesday’s ballot would levy a flat $3,000 tax on homes that are vacant 182 days within a calendar year. The tax increases to $6,000 in the second and following years. SENT: 970 words, photos, video.

For more AP election coverage plans, click here.

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NATIONAL

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CALIFORNIA-MENENDEZ-BROTHERS-CASE — Erik and Lyle Menendez’s resentencing hearing has been set for Dec. 11, when a judge will decide whether they will have a shot at freedom after spending 34 years behind bars for the shotgun killings of their parents in 1989. SENT: 490 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-MUSK — A Philadelphia judge is set to hold a hearing in the city prosecutor’s bid to shut down Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day sweepstakes in battleground states. The giveaways come from Musk’s political organization, which aims to boost Donald Trump’s presidential campaign through Election Day. SENT: 280 words, photo, audio.

EAGLES-KILLED-BLACK-MARKET — A Washington state man who pleaded guilty to killing at least 118 eagles as part of a wildlife trafficking ring that operated on a Native American Reservation in Montana faces sentencing before a federal judge. SENT: 560 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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SPAIN-FLOODS — Survivors of the worst natural disaster to hit Spain this century awoke to scenes of devastation after villages were wiped out by monstrous flash floods that claimed at least 95 lives. The death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue with officials removing bodies from vehicles and an unknown number of people still missing. SENT: 980 words, photos, videos.

Find a selection of related photos in the Spain Floods collection in AP Newsroom.

KOREAS-TENSIONS — North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in almost a year, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the mainland U.S. The launch was likely meant to meant grab American attention days ahead of the U.S. election and respond to condemnation over the North’s reported troop dispatch to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. SENT: 1,040 words, photos, video.

INDIA-DIWALI-FESTIVAL — Indians are celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million clay oil lamps at dusk on the banks of the river Saryu in a city they believe to be the birthplace of the deity Lord Ram. SENT: 450 words, photos, video. WITH: REL-DIWALI-EXPLAINER — What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights?; INDIA-DIWALI-FIRECRACKERS —Use of smoke-emitting firecrackers renews air pollution debate; INDIA-AYODHYA-DIWALI-FESTIVAL-PHOTO-GALLERY. (all sent).

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HOW TO REACH US

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The Nerve Center can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1600. For photos, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman celebrates with the MVP trophy after their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

A Hindu priest prays as devotees take a holy dip in the Saryu river on the morning of Deepotsav celebrations, an event organized by the Uttar Pradesh state government on the eve of Diwali, in Ayodhya, India, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Two men carry a banner of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at the entrance of the former U.S. Embassy, which has been turned into an anti-American museum, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Members of the local police react to the news of one of their colleagues who died in the floods in Valencia, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Survivors of a deadly walkway collapse at a state-run ferry dock on a Georgia island said Thursday that the government should help them pay for funerals for the seven people who died as well as medical bills and mental health counseling for those who lived.

Lawmakers on the Georgia Senate's Urban Affairs Committee heard from four people who were at the dock on Sapelo Island on Oct. 19 when a metal gangway snapped in the middle, sending dozens of people plunging into the water.

Among them was Yvonne Brockington of Jacksonville, Florida, who had arranged for more than 50 members of her club for older adults to visit the island during an annual cultural festival organized by its tiny Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants.

Brockington said she was waiting with others to board an afternoon ferry off the island when she suddenly felt as if she was in a falling elevator. When she stopped suddenly, she felt both of her legs break. While bystanders used a rope to pull Brockington to safety, four members of her club perished.

“The psychological effect, I don't know if it will ever go away, but we definitely need help,” Brockington told lawmakers via video conference from her hospital bed. “It should not have happened. The state of Georgia owes us more than resources. They owe us an apology, and they need to make sure it never happens again.”

Other survivors told the meeting in Atlanta that the traumatic day still haunts them.

Darrel Jenkins, who pulled two people from the water but never learned whether they lived or died, said he continues to have nightmares and asks himself: “What about the people that might not have lived? Could I have done more?”

Regina Brinson said her 79-year-old uncle, Isaiah Thomas, drowned after she had to pry his clutching fingers from her shirt to avoid being dragged underwater herself.

“We need mental health support, financial support, resources to ensure that the survivors and their families have what they need to start recovery,” Brinson said.

The dock on Sapelo Island is operated by the state Department of Natural Resources, which manages the daily ferry service to and from the mainland.

The agency says about 700 people visited Oct. 19 for Cultural Day, a celebration of the tiny Hogg Hummock community founded by emancipated slaves after the Civil War. Hogg Hummock is one of the few Gullah-Geechee communities remaining in the South, where slaves who worked isolated island plantations retained much of their African heritage.

Mawuli Davis, an attorney for some of the people injured in the collapse, told lawmakers his clients have been contacted by state investigators for interviews but not by anyone offering assistance.

Lawmakers said they agree that the state should do more to assist the victims. But how much influence they will have isn't clear: The Senate Urban Affairs Committee is made up of six Democrats, while Republicans control the legislature and the governor's office.

“The state has responsibility,” said Sen. Donzella James, an Atlanta Democrat and the committee's chairperson. “We’re having this hearing to find out what it is exactly they're responsible for.”

The Department of Natural Resources, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, is investigating what caused the collapse. But victims' lawyers have said they don't trust the state agency to investigate itself, and last week Attorney General Chris Carr said he had called in an engineering firm to conduct an independent, parallel investigation.

No one from the Department of Natural Resources spoke before the committee Thursday.

Last weekend the department offered free counseling services to residents of Sapelo Island as well as on the mainland in McIntosh County. It said in a news release that “ongoing mental health resources will be provided to those in need” and that Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon contacted families of those killed and “shared a phone number with them should they need anything.”

The news release also included a hyperlink to an online form that injured people can fill out to file a liability claim with the state.

A Department of Natural Resources spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email message seeking more information on how it is assisting victims.

A portion of the gangway which collapsed Saturday afternoon remains visible on Sapelo Island in McIntosh county, Ga., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Levine)

Regina Brinson, center, weeps at a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, while speaking alongside her mother, Katrena Alexander and attorney Ben Crump during a news conference in Jacksonville, Fla. Crump represents families of three of the seven people killed when a ferry dock walkway collapsed on Sapelo Island, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 19. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

Wilbert Gardner, left, hugs Katrena Alexander while Alexander's daughter, Regina Brinson, right, looks on during a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla, A dock gangway collapse happened as people were leaving a cultural festival on Sapelo Island, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Alexander's brother, Isaiah Thomas, was among the dead. Gardner had a friend who was hospitalized with injuries. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

FILE - A portion of the collapsed gangway remains visible on Sapelo Island in McIntosh County, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Levine, File)