AP News Digest 3 am

Wednesday 28 September 2022 02:18 EDT

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Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

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ONLY ON AP

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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. By Jason Dearen and Michael Rezendes. SENT: 2,560 words, photos. An abridged version will also be available.

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TOP STORIES

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TROPICAL WEATHER-CUBA — Cuba remained in the dark after Hurricane Ian knocked out its power grid and devastated some of the country’s most important tobacco farms when it hit the island’s western tip as a major storm. Authorities were working overnight to gradually restore service to the country’s 11 million people. Ian hit a Cuba that has been struggling with an economic crisis and has faced frequent power outages in recent months. By Andrea Rodríguez. SENT: 530 words, photos.

TROPICAL WEATHER — Florida residents rushed to board up their homes, stash precious belongings on upper floors and flee from oncoming Hurricane Ian, fearing the monstrous storm that knocked out power to all of Cuba and left 11 million people without power would slam into their state’s west coast with catastrophic winds and flooding. At least 2.5 million Florida residents were ordered to evacuate in anticipation of a powerful storm surge, high winds and flooding rains. By Curt Anderson. SENT: 870 words, photos, videos. Also see MORE ON TROPICAL WEATHER below.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — The Kremlin paved the way to annex more of Ukraine and escalate the war by claiming that residents of a large swath overwhelmingly supported joining with Russia in stage-managed referendums the U.S. and its Western allies have dismissed as illegitimate. Pro-Moscow officials said all four occupied regions of Ukraine voted to join Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy told the U.N. Security Council by video from Kyiv that Russia’s attempts to annex Ukrainian territory will mean “there is nothing to talk about with this president of Russia.” By Adam Schreck and Jon Gambrell. SENT: 1,390 words, photos.

IRAN AND THE VEIL — Activists say Iran’s current wave of protests are different from previous unrest. Unleashing their anger at the compulsory veil for women, protesters are targeting something central to the identity of Iran’s Islamic cleric-led rule. By Amir-Hussein Radjy. SENT: 1,270 words, photos.

ELECTION 2022-PROGRESSIVES — Progressive Democrats are facing a test of their power in November’s midterm elections. They have seen advances on long-term progressive priorities on issues ranging from prescription drug prices to climate change. But the left has also faced a series of disappointments during the primary season. By Michelle L. Price. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.

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. Clean energy experts say the project, which can power 100,000 homes, addresses some key challenges facing the industry as the U.S. transitions away from fossil fuels. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 880 words, photos.

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AP News Digest 3 am