Also, teenager charged in toddler's death is arraigned, and state environmental officials are investigating a possible sewage spill into the Oswego River.
A federal judge has ruled the ban on recognizing same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.From CBS News:
Yesterday, a federal district judge in Boston declared that the federal ban on recognizing same-sex marriage -- as articulated in the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA -- is unconstitutional.The judge, Joseph Tauro, based his decision on the notion that states, not the federal government, have jurisdiction over the definition of marriage. If his decision holds up through appeals - and that's a big if - it would mean that the federal government would likely have to recognize those same-sex marriages already recognized by states, and thus provide benefits like Medicaid to same-sex partners.
» Read the story: The Gay Marriage Ruling: What Now?
» Obama's Justice Department Weighs Appeal in Defense of Marriage Act Case {ABC News]
» Federal Judge Rules Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional. Will it Stick? [Newsweek]
» Why the Defense of Marriage Act Is a Legal Albatross [The Huffington Post]
In other news:
» Teenager charged with murdering a toddler arraigned [WSYR-TV Channel 9]
» DEC investigates possible sewage spill into Oswego River [centralny.ynn.com]
» Measure could mean two casinos in Oneida County {CNYcentral.com]
» Man, 29, dies after falling into an Ithaca gorge [The Auburn Citizen]
» Developer looks to convert vacant downtown Binghamton office building to student housing [pressconnects.com]
» Mourners fill church for funeral of 6 children killed in fire [Albany Times Union[
» 'Man v. Food' episodes being filmed in Western NY [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle]