Boy Scouts of America may decide to allow gays into its ranks – On Monday, the Boy Scouts of America said it may eliminate its ban against openly gay Boy Scouts and troop leaders. If the ban is passed, chartering organizations would chose whether to allow gay members and leaders. Previously, the Boy Scouts of America fought against letting gays into its ranks. As a result, sponsors had dropped their support. However, the decision to reverse the policy is still controversial at the national and local level. Some say it puts a burden on local troops. Others say it requires them to act in contrast with their beliefs. The decision is scheduled to be made sometime next week. The Washington Post
Judges, Walter M. Green, Thomas M. Jaworski and David P. Kreider, deny motions to dismiss in Occupy Gainesville trespassing arrests | Gainesville.com – On Friday, three judges denied 29 Occupy Gainesville protestors’ appeals. Defense attorneys argued that the Bo Diddley Community Plaza’s curfew, which was used to arrest the protestors, violated First Amendment rights to assembly and free speech. The three-judge panel, however, held that the law was constitutional because it didn’t target specific messages and it helped reduce crime in the park. The defendants’ trial dates will be scheduled, barring any additional motions by the attorneys. The Gainesville Sun
Biotech companies lobbying to limit generic drug competition – Some of the nation’s largest biotechnology companies are lobbying to limit generic competition. They are trying to get a bill passed that would restrict a pharmacist’s ability to substitute less expensive drugs for brand-name products. Some of the drugs include the rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis drugs Humira and Enbrel, respectively, and the cancer treatments Herceptin, Avastin and Rituxan. If the bill passes, consumers could lose billions of dollars in savings by paying more for the brand-name drugs. The bill has been introduced in at least eight states since last month. NYT
Obama to speak Tuesday about immigration reform – Obama will speak Tuesday in Las Vegas at 2:55 p.m. about his immigration proposal. Although senior administration officials say he will not introduce new legislation, he will encourage quick immigration reform and unveil more details about his plan. Obama has been working to create a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants. Sources predict Obama will praise the senate in his speech for its bipartisan blueprint, which was outlined Monday. They also believe Obama will stress the importance of the issue not getting tangled in partisan politics. CNN
