Seven states asked a federal judge Thursday to block an Obama administration mandate that requires birth control coverage for employees of religious-affiliated hospitals and schools.
The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the First Amendment rights of groups that object to the use of contraceptives. It marks the first legal challenge filed by states.
The rule has come under fire from religious groups that object to the use of contraceptives. In response, the administration said it will shift the requirement from employers to health insurers.
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general from Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.
Mom accused of running child to death
An Alabama woman was under guard at a hospital a day after she gave birth following her arrest in the death of her 9-year-old stepdaughter, who authorities say was forced to run for three hours as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar.
Jessica Mae Hardin, 27, and her mother-in-law, Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, were charged with murder Wednesday in the death of Savannah Hardin. Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp said Savannah had a bladder condition that meant she shouldn't have chocolate. He said Jessica Hardin called 911 on Feb. 17, saying Savannah was having a seizure. She was rushed to a hospital and later taken off life support.
Maryland awaits gay-marriage signature
Gay marriage is all but legalized in Maryland with the Legislature giving its final OK to the law that is being sent to Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, who promised to sign it.
Maryland will become the eighth state to allow gay marriage, when O'Malley, who sponsored the bill, signs the legislation.
Opponents vowed to put a referendum on the ballot in November.
Six states allow gay couples to wed -- Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont -- plus Washington, D.C. The governor of Washington state signed a bill this month that would make that state the seventh.
WikiLeaks suspect presses for April trial
An Army private declined to enter a plea to charges he engineered the leak of 700,000 documents and video clips to the WikiLeaks website.
Pfc. Bradley Manning, appearing before a military judge at Fort Meade near Baltimore, also deferred whether to be tried by a military jury or judge alone. Defense lawyer David Coombs proposed a trial date sometime in April, saying the government's proposed calendar could push the trial to August and jeopardize the right to a speedy trial. Manning, in custody since May 2010, faces 22 counts, including aiding the enemy.
Judge rejects honeymoon murder case
A man who spent 18 months in an Australian jail for the drowning death of his wife during a diving trip was acquitted of murder in Alabama.
Judge Tommy Nail ruled in Birmingham that prosecutors failed to present enough evidence to send the case to jurors. Gabe Watson, 34, had faced life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife of 11 days, Tina Thomas Watson, 26, in 2003. The couple was diving on the Great Barrier Reef. He pleaded guilty in Australia to a manslaughter charge involving negligence.
Harry Potter author targets adult crowd
Five years after wrapping up the Harry Potter book series, J.K. Rowling has signed a deal to write a book aimed at grown-ups. No details of the new book were revealed, although the publisher, Little Brown, promises that later this year.
The Harry Potter series, published between 1997 and 2007, sold more than 450million copies worldwide and were turned into eight blockbuster films.--Bob Minzesheimer
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