MARRIAGE EQUALITY ACT SIGNED IN WASHINGTON STATE

On February 13, 2012, before hundreds of marriage equality advocates and supporters, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation that makes Washington the 7th state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry.  Washington now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York plus the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex marriages.

WAL-MART TO PAY $275,000 TO EMPLOYEE FIRED AFTER SURGERY

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay $275,000 to settle a disability lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC charged that the company denied a 12-year employee of its East Tennessee distribution center in Midway, Tennessee, a reasonable accommodation after he had cancer surgery, which left him with weakness in his right shoulder.