Few comments emerge in pet ban hearing
Starkville aldermen are likely to codify a temporary ban against pets in city-maintained cemeteries after few public comments on the matter emerged Tuesday.
Miss. attorneys seek to uphold ban on gay marriage
Mississippi’s Republican governor and Democratic attorney general are asking a federal judge to uphold the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Starkville bans pets from public cemeteries
Starkville aldermen instituted a short-term ban Tuesday against allowing pets inside its three public cemeteries.
Our View: Billboard ban should remain
It was once said that art, like morality, consists of drawing a line somewhere.
Doctors push for statewide smoking ban
Mississippi doctors want to convince legislators to put a statewide smoking ban on the ballot.
Tupelo City Council passes e-cigarette ban
The Tupelo City Council has approved an ordinance that bans the use of e-cigarettes at most restaurants and businesses.
Atheist group renews suit on Rankin school prayer
A student supported by an atheist group says the Rankin County school district is still violating a ban on school prayer.
Businesses protest new Mississippi law
Some Mississippi business owners who support equal treatment for gays and lesbians are pushing back against a new law that bans government from limiting the free practice of religion.
Religious-practices bill headed to Gov. Bryant
Mississippi lawmakers on Tuesday passed the final version of a bill that says state and local governments cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices, a measure that sparked debate about possible discrimination against gay people and other groups.
Miss. lawmakers feel pressure over religion bill
Lawmakers in conservative Mississippi find themselves in a tug-of-war over a religious-practices bill that some say is uncomfortably similar to one recently vetoed by Arizona’s Republican governor.
Miss. religion bill draws debate on discrimination
A gay-rights group is asking Mississippi legislators to specify that a religious-practices bill won’t open the way for discrimination if it becomes law.
Mississippi House panel advances revised religious practice bill
A Mississippi House panel on Tuesday changed and passed a bill that says state and local government cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices.
Mississippi religious-practices bill faces deadline
A Mississippi House panel will decide today whether to kill a religious-practices bill or keep it alive with or without changes.
Gay marriage fight pits Texas attorney general vs. gay friend
When Greg Abbott was paralyzed by a fallen tree in 1984, Mark Phariss flew 500 miles to his friend’s bedside. They were law school pals who swapped stories over dinner, job leads and airport rides, and they still exchange Christmas cards today.
How Corporate America forced Arizona bill’s veto
When an important social issue intersected with business in Arizona, Corporate America decided it was time to take a stand.
Changes proposed to Miss. religious practices bill
A Mississippi House panel is proposing changes that might neutralize concerns about whether a religious-freedom bill could lead to discrimination against gay people or other groups.
Future of Miss. ‘religious freedom’ bill uncertain
Several Mississippi lawmakers say they’re confused about whether a freedom-of-religion bill is similar to a widely criticized Arizona measure that would allow people to assert religious beliefs in refusing business services to same-sex couples.
Arizona governor’s veto aimed at own party’s right
Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer slapped down the right wing of her own party, vetoing a bill pushed by social conservatives that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays.
Texas gay marriage ban latest to be struck down
A federal judge declared a same-sex marriage ban in deeply conservative Texas unconstitutional on Wednesday, but will allow the nation’s second-most populous state to enforce the law pending an appeal that will likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Arizona governor returns home amid furor over religious beliefs bill
Gov. Jan Brewer returned to Arizona on Tuesday and faced a pressing decision about a bill on her desk that has prompted a national debate over religious and gay rights.