Court Tosses Gay Friends Ban

Georgia's top court has tossed out a judge's order that banned children in a divorce case from having any contact with gays or lesbians who are linked to the children's father. Justice Robert Benham wrote in the opinion Monday that the judge's order "flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children." The ruling stems from the 2007 divorce of Eric Duane Mongerson and Sandy Kay Ehlers Mongerson, who had four children during their 21-year marriage. A Fayette County judge had issued a ruling that banned the children from being exposed to their father's gay partners and friends.

(Associated Press)

Lawmaker's divorce records unsealed

Some of the divorce records of House Speaker Glenn Richardson are now unsealed. A judge in Rome took the wraps off the records that had been placed under seal by another judge. Ethics watchdog George Anderson had sued to have the records unsealed. Richardson's divorce came after an ethics complaint alleged the Republican speaker had an "improper relationship" with a female utility lobbyist while he was co-sponsoring a pipeline bill being sought by her employer. A legislative ethics panel dismissed the complaint.

Report: Divorce costs billions

Some Georgia researchers say divorce and out-of-wedlock childbearing costs U.S. taxpayers more than 112 billion dollars a year. The study was conducted by Georgia State University. It was commissioned by sponsors who hope it will prompt lawmakers to invest more money in programs aimed at strengthening marriages. Other experts have argued such programs are of dubious merit.