Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Friday, September 30, 2011  The Pentagon has decided that military chaplains may perform same-sex unions, whether on or off a military installation.  The ruling announced Friday by the Pentagon's personnel chief follows the Sept. 20 repeal of a law that had prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011  A repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” went into effect on Tuesday.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011  Military portrays repeal of gay ban as business-as-usual, after months of preparation

Friday, September 16, 2011  Rep. Joe Wilson and another Republican on the House Armed Services Committee are asking Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to delay the new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the military.

Thursday, September 01, 2011  Gay rights group seeks court ruling to prevent return of 'don't ask, don't tell'

Tuesday, May 24, 2011  Military chaplains seek protection for troops who share beliefs on gay service members

Thursday, May 12, 2011  House panel OKs defense bill, votes to delay law allowing gays to serve openly

Wednesday, May 11, 2011  Amid congressional complaints, Navy suspends decision to train chaplains to do same-sex unions

Thursday, April 28, 2011  Marines gets trained on new policy as military prepares for end of 'don't ask, don't tell'

Thursday, February 24, 2011  Attorney General Eric Holder cited recent shifts in legal thought, not public opinion, in explaining the decision.

Thursday, December 23, 2010  Ready for duty: Gays, lesbians who left military due to 'don't ask, don't tell' hope to return

Wednesday, December 22, 2010  Updated with new story, video and photo. President Barack Obama signed a landmark law Wednesday repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the military, fulfilling one of his major campaign pledges and casting the issue as a matter of civil rights long denied.

Saturday, December 18, 2010  Updated with new story. In landmark vote, Senate agrees to end military's 'don't ask, don't tell' restrictions on gays.

Saturday, December 18, 2010  The Senate has voted to overturn the military's ban on openly gay troops and sent the bill to President Barack Obama.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010  Updated with photos and video: Pentagon plays down risk of combat troops causing problems if 'don't ask, don't tell' repealed