Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's office has filed notice with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that will challenge the ruling of a U.S. District Judge last week that the state's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. The motion was made after the judge Sunday put her decision on hold for two weeks to allow for an appeal. Alabama's only openly gay legislator, Democratic Representative Patricia Todd of Birmingham, says the U.S. Supreme Court will settle the issue once and for all later this year. A same-sex couple went to the county courthouse in Anniston Monday trying to obtain a marriage license and was refused. The president of state probate judge's association says he hasn't heard of similar instances elsewhere.
Prisoner Hair
Native American inmates in Alabama prisons have won a round in their legal battle to wear long hair. The U.S. Supreme Court Monday vacated an 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that had upheld the Alabama prison system's policy against long hair. Native American inmates say long hair is part of their religious practices.
Jackson Tour
Twelve Montgomery restaurants are joining the call to help the Jackson family on Alexander Street pay for the funerals of two children who died in a house fire on January 19th. A third child injured in the blaze is recovering in a Birmingham hospital. According to Al.com, the businesses will participate in the Jackson Family Restaurant Tour that begins Tuesday and runs through Saturday. The participating restaurants can be found on the event's Facebook page.