Jeb Bush: Respect gay-marriage ruling

Jeb Bush: Respect gay-marriage ruling

MIAMI

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he respects a court ruling that allows same-sex couples to wed for the first time in his home state.

The potential Republican presidential contender and longtime opponent of gay marriage weighed in Monday as Miami-Dade County started issuing marriage licenses to lesbian and gay couples. A circuit court judge lifted a stay on her July ruling that Florida’s same-sex marriage ban violates equal protections under the U.S. Constitution.

“We live in a democracy, and regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law,” Bush said in a statement.

Powerful quake hits New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand

A powerful magnitude-5.6 earthquake today jolted awake many residents in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.

The quake struck at 6:48 a.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was 63 miles northwest of Christchurch on the central South Island at a depth of 6.2 miles.

Long line forms at Cuomo funeral

NEW YORK

Hundreds of mourners waited outside a funeral home Monday in a line that stretched more than a block to pay their respects to former three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo, who died just hours after his son was sworn in for his second term.

Vice President Joe Biden arrived in a motorcade late Monday afternoon. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, actor Alan Alda and former state Comptroller Carl McCall also were among the prominent arrivals at Cuomo’s wake on Madison Avenue.

Lebanon puts new limits on Syrians

BEIRUT

Lebanon turned back Syrians trying to cross the border Monday under strict new visa regulations, saying it simply cannot handle any more people displaced by the ongoing civil war.

The policy, requiring Syrians to obtain visas that sharply limit the time they can stay in Lebanon, effectively narrows one of the few escape routes left from a conflict that has displaced a third of Syria’s pre-war population and shows no sign of ending.

‘Bright, neighborly’ marijuana education

DENVER

Colorado is taking a novel approach to marijuana education — not telling people to avoid the drug, just to use it safely.

State health officials announced a new $5.7 million campaign Monday. The ads are different from previous pot-education efforts because they don’t demonize the drug.

Colorado’s campaign last year to deter teen pot use, for instance, featured giant rat cages and was widely panned.

Dr. Larry Wolk, the state’s chief medical officer, described the new campaign as “bright and neighborly.”

Report: Sheriff drove 100 mph

CHARLESTON, S.C.

State police reports accuse a South Carolina sheriff of driving more than 100 mph, speeding through a red light and nearly losing control of his county-issued pickup truck shortly before he was charged with drunken driving.

The S.C. Highway Patrol released reports Monday on Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt’s arrest, one week after he was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident. DeWitt was sworn into office for a sixth term during a private ceremony Sunday.

Associated Press