Stories you shouldn’t miss:
1. In another victory for gay rights, a California federal judge has ruled that the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy violates the US Constitution, AP reports. US District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that the controversial policy, which prohibits openly gay people from serving in the armed forces, infringes on their First Amendment right to free speech. The Obama Justice Department, which defended “don’t ask, don’t tell” in court, is expected to appeal the ruling. Phillips’ decision comes one month after another California federal judge ruled that banning gay marriage also violates the US Constitution.
2. A PG&E natural gas line exploded into a fireball last night, killing at least four people and destroying a San Bruno neighborhood. PG&E officials have yet to determine what caused the pipeline to rupture. The Chron reports that some residents said they had smelled gas in the neighborhood in recent days and had noticed PG&E trucks in the area. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
