Bloomington mayor to conduct same-sex wedding ceremony

Indiana

Authorities: House fire set after dispute

LEBANON, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a man was critically injured in a central Indiana house fire that was intentionally set a couple hours after police had been called there for a domestic dispute.Today 7:10 am

Indiana Toll Road rates increase for some July 1

GRANGER – The cost of driving on the Indiana Toll Road is going up for motorists not using transponders to pay. ITR Concession Co.Today 4:07 am

Covered bridge poised to reopen

A 140-year-old covered bridge in northeast Indiana heavily damaged last fall when a too-tall semitrailer drove through it should be reopening to traffic soon.Today 3:00 am

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The mayor of Bloomington plans to conduct a wedding ceremony for more than a dozen gay and lesbian couples this week to protest a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Indiana.

The ceremony Thursday in Bloomington coincides with a local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival. The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/WMketT) that Mayor Mark Kruzan announced his plans in a news release.

Local clergy and city officials are expected to attend.

Legislators approved a constitutional ban in 2011, but it must be approved again and pass a referendum before taking effect. Two ban bills were introduced in the Indiana House last week, but their future is unclear.

Critics say a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because same-sex marriage is already illegal under current Indiana law.