General News

Analysis: Battles Over Same-Sex Marriage May Continue Tuesday's passage of Proposition 22 in California was hailed by LDS Church leaders and others favoring the measure designed to keep same-sex marriages out of California while gay rights activists expressed disappointment at its passage. However, the proposition's passage may not settle the issue. Some gay rights activists are already seeking ways to reverse the decision and conservative activists are seeking ways to use the connections made during the campaign to roll-back other rights given to homosexuals, just as gay activists had feared.

President Hinckley Announces Educational Assistance Fund At National Press Club Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., President Hinckley departed somewhat from his prepared remarks (available on the LDS Church's website) and announced that the LDS Church is preparing to establish an educational loan program to assist LDS Church members outside the United States in obtaining higher education. The exciting announcement comes after the number of LDS Church members outside the U.S. has exceeded those inside the U.S.

Local News

Fear of LDS Doctor's Storage Leads Police To Evacuate Neighborhood The puzzling suicide of Dr. Larry Ford, and LDS Church member with all three of his children currently attending BYU, has gained notoriety throughout North America as Orange County police had to evacuate 48 homes in his neighborhood for fear of biological booby traps he might have set before killing himself. Police suspect that Ford ordered the murder of his business partner, James Riley, who is recovering from a gunshot wound to the face. Ford killed himself a day after police searched his home.

Adoptive LDS Attorney Fighting To Protect Birth Mothers LDS Attorney Franklin Hunsaker, 57, is at the forefront of a lawsuit over a controversial new Oregon law that would allow adoptees to discover the identity of birth mothers. The law, known as Measure 58, was passed by a voter referendum. It give adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. The Oregon Supreme Court could issue its decision on Hunsaker's challenge to the law as early as today.

Sports

Dave Checketts's game In the fall of 1984, Dave Checketts sat down in the 15th floor Manhattan office of David Stern, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, and began a life long journey into the competitive world of professional sports. Then, only 27, he more closely resembled the Mormon missionary he once was.

LDS RM Madsen Featured In USA Today With 'March Madness' approaching and a major game tonight between Stanford and Arizona, USA Today featured LDS returned missionary and Stanford star Mark 'Mad Dog' Madsen in a cover story that once again emphasized Madsen's unique mix of aggressive play on court and off-court nice guy.

People

Hispanic LDS Judge Named To Court Of Appeals A Los Angeles LDS Judge was approved yesterday by the U.S. Senate on a 59-39 vote for appointment to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Paez, 52, said he was "pleased and honored" at the Senate's confirmation and thanked President Clinton for his support during the four years it took to overcome opposition, including that of LDS Church member, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch.

Arts & Entertainment

Hinckley Book Falls to #42 LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley's book "Standing for Something" dropped this week both on USA Today's best seller list and on Amazon.com's sales ranking. On USA Today the book fell to #42 from #31 and on Amazon it fell to #116 from #61. The drop may indicate that the book's initial popularity is starting to wear off.

Business

First Security, Zions taking heat The planned merger of mormon banks First Security Corp. and Zions Bancorp. drew heavy criticism on Friday after First Security announced that its first quarter results would fall short of expectations. The problem results may have breathed new life into a federal lawsuit challenging the deal.

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