OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Josh Powell had hundreds of images of disturbing cartoon sex and graphic depictions of incest on his home computer, something Utah authorities investigating his wife’s disappearance kept private for about two years, according to files released Friday. A Washington state psychologist who had previously said Powell’s strong parenting skills should allow him to continue supervised visits altered his assessment after reviewing the images, calling them a “great concern” and suggesting a more intense evaluation of the... Read more

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah is paying nearly $400,000 to resolve a lawsuit over roadside crosses honoring Utah troopers killed in the line of duty, officials said Friday. The settlement forced the state and the Utah Highway Patrol Association to remove 11 Roman crosses along state highways and roads. The trooper association has taken down the crosses and plans to move them off roadsides and rest stops to nearby private land with the owners’ permission. It also must remove... Read more

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie rejected a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday and renewing his call for a ballot question to decide the issue. The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the measure reached his desk. In returning the bill to the Legislature,... Read more

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) — A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey was delivered Friday to the state’s Republican governor, who has vowed to veto it. Both the state Assembly and Senate passed the gay marriage proposal this week. Gov. Chris Christie opposes gay marriage. He has vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk. Christie’s spokesmen didn’t immediately return emails seeking comment Friday. The governor and most Republican lawmakers want the issue decided by public vote.... Read more

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has followed through on his promise to reject a bill allowing same-sex marriage in New Jersey by quickly vetoing the measure Friday. The veto came a day after the state Assembly passed the bill. The state Senate had passed it on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk. In returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters... Read more

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey was delivered Friday morning to Gov. Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto it. The Assembly clerk’s office sent the bill to Christie a day after the chamber approved it 42-33, Assembly spokesman Tom Hester said. The Senate passed the gay marriage proposal on Monday. Christie, a Republican who opposes gay marriage, had vowed “very swift action” once the bill reached his desk. On Friday, Steven Goldstein, chairman... Read more

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The pope’s envoy to a disgraced religious order is scrambling to contain fallout from the resignation of the head of its women’s branch and a decision by 30 members’ to split from the movement. In a letter released Friday, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis urged those leaving the Legion of Christ not to “try to persuade or proselytize” others to come along with them, and confirmed that the exodus wasn’t just of rank and file members but... Read more

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A suicide attacker on a motorcycle blew himself up in a market in a Pakistani town close to the Afghan border on Friday, killing 23 Shiite Muslims and wounding 50 people, officials said. After the blasts in Parachinar town in Kurram region, security officials fired on people who took to the streets to protest, killing three of them, said local government administrator Wajid Ali. Violence by Sunni extremists against Shiites is common in Pakistan, a Muslim... Read more

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The top U.S. bishop, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, has told a meeting of the pope and his fellow cardinals that they must spread the faith with joy, love — and blood if necessary. Dolan, archbishop of New York, gave the keynote address Friday to a gathering of the cardinals who will participate in the ceremony Saturday to bring Dolan and 21 other cardinals into the elite men’s club that will elect the next pope. Dolan said the... Read more

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A scandal over leaked documents and reports of political infighting, intrigue and mismanagement in the Vatican’s frescoed halls has cast a cloud over this weekend’s ceremony to create 21 new princes of the church. Pope Benedict XVI summoned cardinals new and old for a day of reflection Friday ahead of Saturday’s consistory, where the 21 new cardinals will get their red hats and be formally welcomed into the elite men’s club that will elect the next... Read more