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SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- The University of Notre Dame is suing Obama administration officials over the mandate requiring most employers to cover birth control. The school said Monday that the mandate violates religious freedom by requiring many religiously affiliated hospitals, schools and charities to comply. President Barack Obama offered to soften the mandate to accommodate religious groups, but U.S. Roman Catholic bishops say the change doesn't go far enough. Other religious colleges are already suing the Health and Human Service agency and administration officials over the mandate. Still, observers had been closely watching for Notre Dame's next step. The university is the most prominent Roman Catholic school in the country. Notre Dame came under then unprecedented criticism from U.S. bishops and others in 2009 ... Continue reading →
Tammi Smith, the woman who wanted to adopt long-missing Baby Gabriel, was found guilty of charges stemming from her activities around the time of the child's December 2009 disappearance. The Maricopa County Superior Court jury returned at midday Thursday with its guilty verdicts on charges of conspiracy to commit custodial interference and forgery. Following announcement of the verdict, the jury considered and found aggravating factors that will be considered at Smith's sentencing: that the crimes caused emotional harm and that an accomplice was involved. Smith was not taken into custody pending sentencing. The charges on which Smith was found guilty are felonies with sentencing ranges of 1 to 3.75 years each. Smith's eligibility for probation is to be determined at a hearing before sentencing. The ... Continue reading →