Wyoming

Student challenges ban on same-sex dates

A heterosexual teenager is challenging a school district policy that bars students from bringing same-sex dates to school dances.

In September, Amanda Blair tried to defy the rule by taking another young woman to the Homecoming dance at Big Piney High School. They were kept out by sheriff’s deputies at the request of school officials.

Blair, a senior at Big Piney, has now enlisted the help of the American Civil Liberties Union in formally calling on Sublette County School District No. 9 to lift the same-sex date ban.

In a letter sent Thursday to Superintendent B. Weldon Shelley, the ACLU stated the policy violated a 1980 federal court ruling out of Rhode Island. The decision handed down in Frick v. Lynch found that students who bring same-sex dates to school dances are not only protected by the Constitution but that schools must take steps to ensure their safety when they attend the dances.

California

Gasoline prices increase a half-cent in two weeks

Retail gasoline prices rose about a half-cent per gallon in the past two weeks as crude oil prices remained firm and demand increased because of the improving economy, an industry analyst said Sunday from Camarillo.

The average price Friday for a gallon of self-serve gas nationwide, including all grades and taxes, was about $1.55, according to the Lundberg Survey of 8,000 stations. That was up 0.53 cents since Nov. 7.

It was 11.34 cents higher than the average on the same day last year.

The increase ended a two-month decline, during which prices slipped nearly 20 cents after the end of a supply crunch.

Boston

Polls: Public supports ruling on gay marriage

Two new polls released Sunday show Massachusetts lawmakers could be bucking public opinion if they try to thwart the Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling last week that found the state’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.

Fifty percent of Massachusetts residents surveyed for a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV poll said they agreed with the ruling, while 38 percent opposed it. A separate Boston Sunday Herald poll found 49 percent said they supported legalizing gay marriage, while 38 percent opposed it.

In its ruling, Massachusetts’ highest court gave the Legislature 180 days to change the state’s marriage laws for the benefit of gay couples. Some state lawmakers are now pushing for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and effectively skirt the ruling.

San Diego

Antelope on way to vet attacks animal keeper

A 33-year-old animal keeper at the San Diego Zoo was attacked by a male antelope Sunday morning as the animal was being taken to the veterinarian’s area for care, officials said.

The keeper, whose name was not released, was taken to a nearby hospital after being struck by the animal’s straight, spike-like horns. Although surgery was not required, doctors decided she should stay at the hospital overnight for observation, officials said.

The incident occurred while the keeper and others were attempting to move the yellow-backed duiker into the veterinarian’s area.

The animal rammed the woman in the knee, knocking her to the ground. When she tried to get to her feet, the animal rammed her in the stomach before running away.

It is not uncommon for animals to become agitated when they are aware that they are going to the veterinarian’s area for treatment, zoo spokeswoman Yadira Galindo said.

Los Angeles

Screener shortages worry airline officials

With the busy holiday travel season set to start this week, city officials and airlines worry that a shortage of federal security screeners at Los Angeles International Airport will lead to long lines and flight delays.

“We are concerned enough that we are going to go back to what we haven’t done since 9-11, and that is to tell people to get here two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours early for an international flight,” said Paul Haney, a spokesman for the city’s airport agency.

The city’s airport agency sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration last week, estimating a shortage of 500 screeners at LAX and calling the shortage “a matter of critical importance.” The city asked the TSA to authorize overtime so more screeners would be on duty at security checkpoints during the holidays.