I. The death toll following last week’s massive earthquake in China continues to rise. In one province alone, the count has risen by more than 14,000 in just the past two days. The toll across China stands at more than 55,000.

II. Wild weather is affecting a good deal of the US. Tornadoes touched down in Colorado, California and Kansas. Colorado had the worst damage. One person is confirmed dead there, more than a dozen others were hurt.

III. Child welfare officials in Texas are deciding whether to appeal a court decision that allows hundreds of kids to return to a polygamist ranch. A state appeals court ruled the state failed to prove the children were in any danger.

IV. This weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer. Millions of Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day. AAA expects the number to be down one percent compared with last year. Well, the major reasons? High gasoline prices, approaching 4 dollars a gallon.

John Belmont, the Associated Press, with AP News Minute.

yy’s tips:

stand at 处于某种状态（境地）
eg1 The thermometer stood at 26℃.
eg2 The monthly average output stands at 600,000 tons.

touch down
字典上查来是飞机降落的意思，大概就是引申为登临的意思吧

appeals court 上诉法院
注意是appeals哦，有s滴

Kick off 开始
很口语很随意的说法，相当于start
eg An increase in oil prices would kick off a new round of inflation.

AAA: American Automobile Association (这个triple A 可是让我苦听了好久)

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This is AP News Minute.

I. The death toll following last week’s massive earthquake in China continues to rise. In one province alone, the count has risen by more than 14,000 in just the past two days. The toll across China 1_____ more than 55,000.

II. Wild weather is affecting a good deal of the US. Tornadoes 2_____ in Colorado, California and Kansas. Colorado had the worst damage. One person is confirmed dead there, more than a dozen others were hurt.

III. Child welfare officials in Texas are deciding whether to appeal a court decision that allows hundreds of kids to return to a polygamist ranch. A state 3_____ ruled the state failed to prove the children were in any danger.

IV. This weekend 4_____ the unofficial start of summer. Millions of Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day. AAA expects the number to be down one percent compared with last year. Well, the major reasons? High gasoline prices, approaching 4 dollars a gallon.

John Belmont, the Associated Press, with AP News Minute.

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