Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. 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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New York State Museum and State University of New York Orange staff unearthed a complete well-preserved mastodon jaw, as well as a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment, that were discovered by a man who spotted two giant teeth while gardening at his upstate New York home, near Scotchtown, NY. (New York State Museum via AP)
A woman looks at the disco and Christmas balls illuminated with lights hanging on a decoration display for the upcoming Christmas Festival at a popular outdoor shopping mall in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Israeli residents sit in a pool of hot water coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The wreckage of a private plane lays next to homes after crashing near the airport in San Fernando on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured vehicles before crossing the security fence, moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
French firemen stand on the tarmac of the airport Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)
FILE - The TikTok Inc. building is seen in Culver City, Calif., March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the vice president-elect, leaves the Senate chamber as lawmakers work on an interim spending bill to avoid a shutdown of federal agencies, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
NEW/DEVELOPING
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CONGRESS-DISASTER AID-EXPLAINER, listed on the 2 p.m. News Digest, will not move this cycle; CAPITOL RIOT-OATH KEEPERS; UNITEDHEALTHCARE-CEO-KILLED-TERRORISM-LAW; FINANCIAL-WELLNESS-FED-CONSUMERS; CONGRESS-BUDGET; CONGRESS-BUDGET-THE LATEST; FINANCIAL MARKETS; YOUTH CLIMATE LAWSUIT-MONTANA; CONGRESS-CHILD-ABUSE; NASCAR-ANTITRUST LAWSUIT; YOUTH CLIMATE LAWSUIT-MONTANA; DANGEROUS-AIR-BAGS; CNN-SYRIAN-PRISONER; MASTODON-JAW-FOUND; TRUMP-NOMINEES-CONGRESS; BIDEN-GENDER POLICY COUNCIL; KENTUCKY GOVERNOR; CONGRESS-DRONE; NYC MAYOR-INVESTIGATIONS.
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ONLY ON AP
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AP-POLL-RFK-JR — Republicans hold an overwhelmingly positive view of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and most approve of President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to put Kennedy in the incoming administration. But recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and AP VoteCast also shows that Americans overall are less positive about Kennedy and there isn’t broad support for some of his stands. By Amanda Seitz and Linley Sanders. SENT: 1,220 words, photos, video.
TRUMP-MUSK — Roughly the same percentages of Americans have favorable views of Elon Musk and Donald Trump, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Experts are split on whether that overlap in public opinion is a good or bad thing for Musk’s businesses or for Trump’s politics. By Thomas Beaumont, Sarah Parvini and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
LETHAL RESTRAINT-MANNER OF DEATH — Police in the U.S. rarely face criminal charges when civilians die after the use of force such as physical blows, restraints or Tasers. The Associated Press found that official death rulings in cases involving police restraint can be so riddled with inconsistencies, suspect science or conflicts of interest that even extensive force may matter little. By Mitch Weiss, Holbrook Mohr, Reese Dunklin and Justin Pritchard. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
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TOP STORIES
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CONGRESS-BUDGET — President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown, instead telling House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate — days before a deadline when federal funding runs out. By Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking. SENT: 1,100 words, photos. WITH: CONGRESS-BUDGET-THE LATEST; CONGRESS-DEFENSE — Senate passes bill that will raise troop pay, counter China’s power; CONGRESS-DRONE — A bill responding to drone sightings is blocked in the Senate; CONGRESS-CHILD ABUSE — The House passes legislation requiring more oversight of youth residential treatment facilities (all sent).
UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO KILLED-TERRORISM LAW — New York prosecutors are using a 9/11-era anti-terrorism law in their case against the man charged with gunning down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. Luigi Mangione was indicted on charges of murder as an act of terrorism, under a state law that allows for stiffer sentences when a killing is aimed at terrifying civilians or influencing government. By Jennifer Peltz. SENT: 980 words, photos.
SUPREME-COURT-TIK-TOK — The Supreme Court said it will hear arguments next month over the constitutionality of the federal law that could ban TikTok in the United States if its Chinese parent company doesn’t sell it. By Mark Sherman. SENT: 530 words, photos. with SUPREME COURT-PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING — The Supreme Court will consider South Carolina’s move to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. (sent)
MAYOTTE-CYCLONE-CHIDO — Relatives of families struggling after Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness, a day before France’s president and another 180 tons of aid were expected to arrive. By Sam Mednick, Adrienne Surprenant and Sylvie Corbet. SENT: 600 words, photos, video. WITH: CLIMATE-MAYOTTE-CYCLONE-EXPLAINER — Cyclone Chido leaves Mayotte reeling. Warmer oceans fueled it. (sent).
SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — Wisconsin police did not plan any public updates on the extremely rare religious school shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others, a day after the city’s mayor chastised reporters and urged them to leave victims alone. By Todd Richmond, Scott Bauer and Ryan J. Foley. SENT: 970 words, photos, videos, audio. With SCHOOL-SHOOTINGS-LIST; SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-THINGS TO KNOW (both sent).
FEDERAL-RESERVE — The Federal Reserve has cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point — its third cut this year — but also signaled that it expects to reduce rates more slowly next year than it previously envisioned, largely because of still-elevated inflation. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 970 words, photos, audio. WITH: FINANCIAL-MARKETS — U.S. stocks fall sharply and Dow tumbles 1,100 points after the Fed hints at just two rate cuts in 2025; FINANCIAL-WELLNESS-FED-CONSUMERS — The Federal Reserve expects to cut rates more slowly in 2025. Here’s what that could mean for you; FEDERAL-RESERVE-STATEMENT (all sent).
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MIDEAST WARS
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MIDEAST-WARS-ISRAEL-HOSTAGES — A released hostage in Gaza is fighting to save her boyfriend, who remains in captivity. SENT: 920 words, photos. WITH: MIDEAST-WARS-THE-LATEST.
ISRAEL-SHIFTING-BORDERS — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli troops will remain in Syrian territory indefinitely, and that blurs the border with Israel’s northern neighbor. SENT: 950 words, photos.
SYRIA-CAPTAGON-EXPLAINER — Syria’s nearly 14-year-old civil war fragmented the country, crumbled the economy and created fertile ground for the production of the highly addictive drug Captagon. SENT: 1,110 words, photos. WITH: CNN-SYRIAN-PRISONER — CNN says its report on a freed Syrian prisoner is not what it initially believed (sent).
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YEAR END STORIES
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YEAR-IN-DEMOCRACY — The past year has been both a glass half empty and half full for the world’s democracies. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
WOMEN’S SPORTS-NEGATIVE ATTENTION — As women’s sports set records for attendance and viewership this year, longtime fans have watched with both optimism and unease. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
HOLIDAY-ANIMAL-OF-THE-YEAR — Capybaras are having a big moment. The world’s largest rodent is the latest in a long line of “it” animals to get star treatment during the holiday season. SENT: 780 words, photos, video. WITH: YE-NATURE-AND-ANIMALS-PHOTO-GALLERY — AP photographers capture stunning scenes of nature and wildlife in 2024. SENT: 31 photos, 100 words.
Find all of the AP’s year-end content in the 2024 Year In Review hub on AP Newsroom.
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MORE NEWS
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BIRD FLU — A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., health officials say. SENT: 300 words, photo.
YOUTH CLIMATE LAWSUIT-MONTANA — Montana’s top court upholds landmark ruling in youth climate case over greenhouse gas emissions. SENT: 520 words, photos.
DANGEROUS-AIR-BAGS — U.S. retreats from massive air bag recall and says industry comments show need for more investigation. SENT: 640 words, photos.
MASTODON-JAW-FOUND — New York man finds mastodon jaw while gardening in his backyard. SENT: 320 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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CONGRESS-GAETZ — The House Ethics Committee has voted in secret to release the long-awaited ethics report into ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz, raising the possibility that the allegations against the Florida Republican who was President-elect Donald Trump’s first choice for attorney general could be made public in the coming days. SENT: 390 words, photos. With TRUMP-NOMINEES-CONGRESS — Trump’s nominee for defense secretary is expected to face his first public questioning from senators on Jan. 14 (sent).
BIDEN-GENDER POLICY COUNCIL — The fate of President Joe Biden’s Gender Policy Council, which has worked to defend reproductive health care in the face of growing restrictions, is uncertain. SENT: 890 words, photo.
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says Democrats should think less about partisan politics and more about meeting people’s needs. Beshear touted the strategy for coming back from last month’s election losses in an interview with The Associated Press. By Bruce Schreiner. SENT: 890 words, photos, video.
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NATIONAL
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CAPITOL RIOT-OATH KEEPERS — The federal judge who presided over the seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keepers members said that it would be “frightening” if the anti-government group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, is pardoned for orchestrating a violent plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election. SENT: 720 words, photo, audio.
NYC MAYOR-INVESTIGATIONS — A former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected in court Thursday to face corruption charges in the latest blow to an administration beset by searches, resignations and the mayor’s own indictment. SENT: 570 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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VANUATU-PACIFIC EARTHQUAKE — Vanuatu’s capital is without water, a day after reservoirs were destroyed by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that wrought havoc on the South Pacific island nation, with the number of people killed and injured expected to rise. SENT: 880 words, photos, videos, audio.
FRANCE-COURT-SARKOZY — France’s highest court has upheld an appeal court decision which had found former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption and influence peddling while he was the country’s head of state. SENT: 500 words, photos. WITH: FRANCE-SARKOZY-LEGAL-CASES — Sarkozy’s court defeat: a look at the legal cases involving France’s former president. (sent).
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SPORTS
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NASCAR-ANTITRUST LAWSUIT — The two teams suing NASCAR over an antitrust complaint are granted a preliminary injunction that will allow them to compete as chartered teams in 2025. SENT: 690 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva 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.
New York State Museum and State University of New York Orange staff unearthed a complete well-preserved mastodon jaw, as well as a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment, that were discovered by a man who spotted two giant teeth while gardening at his upstate New York home, near Scotchtown, NY. (New York State Museum via AP)
A woman looks at the disco and Christmas balls illuminated with lights hanging on a decoration display for the upcoming Christmas Festival at a popular outdoor shopping mall in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Israeli residents sit in a pool of hot water coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The wreckage of a private plane lays next to homes after crashing near the airport in San Fernando on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured vehicles before crossing the security fence, moving towards the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
French firemen stand on the tarmac of the airport Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)
FILE - The TikTok Inc. building is seen in Culver City, Calif., March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the vice president-elect, leaves the Senate chamber as lawmakers work on an interim spending bill to avoid a shutdown of federal agencies, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
