Same-Sex Marriages Begin In Alabama On Monday
Barring a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday Alabama becomes the 37th state to recognize same-sex marriage. Despite some heated political debate, most probate courts around the state are getting ready to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to extend the stay since justices will consider the issue of gay marriage later this year. As of this writing, the court had not responded to the state’s request.
Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King says his court is looking forward to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and presiding over their ceremonies. And they’re preparing for a large influx of couples.
“We will have two lines open, and we are fully prepared to open a third to ensure that every couple who wants a marriage license will get one,” King says. “We will have several rooms available here for couples to have their ceremonies in, but we are expecting a large crowd, so couples will have to be patient.”
Judge King also says that the court is willing to get a bit creative. “Now maybe it’ll be a pretty day, and maybe folks will want to have ceremonies, if there is a large crowd, out in the park.” Same-sex marriage supporters are planning celebrations outside courthouses throughout Alabama.
While most probate courts in the state will issue licenses to same-sex couples, a few others will not. The probate judges of Pike County and Covington County have stated that they refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and a few judges from counties such as Madison, Marengo, and Chilton have said that they will issue licenses to same-sex couples, but, in protest, will no longer preside over any marriages.
Peer pressure can make this clownfish change its stripes
Tomato clownfish, in response to an unpredictable world, appear capable of adjusting when they lose their stripes based on cues from other fish and their habitat, a new study in PLOS Biology finds.
Hezbollah strikes Israel as American and Israeli planes pound Iran
Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait, while Israel and the United States pounded targets in Iran on Monday.
Congress gears up for vote on Trump’s war powers in Iran — after the battle began
Democrats and a few Republicans are calling for curbing Trump's unilateral use of military power in Iran, despite previous such efforts failing to advance.
How long do electric vehicle batteries actually last?
When the modern electric vehicle was still in its infancy, drivers worried that vehicles would need expensive battery replacements within a few years. But battery lifespans are exceeding expectations.
Supreme Court ponders law making it a crime for gun owners to use marijuana
The law, the same one used to prosecute Joe Biden's son for illegal gun possession, has united an array of strange bedfellows, from conservative gun rights groups to liberal civil liberties groups.
Texas primaries could test whether Latino support for GOP is holding after 2024 gains
The GOP made big strides with Latino voters in 2024. Immigration and the economy were key drivers, but two years later, those issues could sway them to back Democrats in primaries happening this week.
