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March is Women's History Month!

Marriage Equality Debate Continues in Alabama

The Alabama Supreme Court is asking parties to weigh in on the impact of the landmark ruling giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry nationwide.  State justices Monday directed parties to file motions by July 6 on how the decision impacts the state court's March order for probate judges to refuse marriage licenses to gay couples.  The Monday order did not give directions to probate judges.  Susan Watson, the head of the ACLU of Alabama, calls the order a stalling tactic from same-sex marriage opponents.  Meanwhile, Matthew Kidd with the Moral Law Foundation says state laws are being trampled.  Chief Justice Roy Moore says the order does not instruct probate judges whether or not they should comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage.  However, Watson says probate judges could face sanctions if they refuse the licenses.  

Corruption Charges

A former Autauga County District Attorney's office worker has been sentenced to 30 months in a community corrections program on corruption charges.  The Montgomery Advertiser reports 54-year-old Lisa Noland of Wetumpka appeared in court Monday with a check for more then $28,000, the amount of restitution she's been ordered to pay.  Noland admitted to taking cash payments defendants made to pre-trial diversion and drug court programs.  Her attorney says prison time wasn't necessary because Noland cooperated in the investigation and is paying restitution.  District Attorney Brad Houston says his office is now being audited by the Office of Examiners of Public Accountants and is reviewing procedures to prevent future theft.  

Church Fires

Federal authorities say they are investigating recent fires at predominately African-American churches, though the blazes do not appear to be related.  A federal law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity says a Friday fire at a church in South Carolina does not appear to have been intentionally set.  The same official says another fire at a North Carolina church appeared to be set vandals, and investigators have found no graffiti or other evidence that is was racially motivated.  In Georgia, FBI Special Agent in Charge Britt Johnson says authorities  are also looking into whether a June 23rd fire could be a hate crime.