National news briefs

Gay wedding earns minister church trial

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A retired Presbyterian minister is facing a church trial for performing weddings of gay couples during the brief period when same-sex marriage was legal in California.

The Rev. Jane Spahr has been accused of publicly, intentionally and repeatedly violating church doctrine when she presided at the weddings of 16 couples between June and November 2008.

Eleven of the couples are expected to testify as witnesses at the trial scheduled to start Tuesday at the Presbytery of the Redwoods in Napa.

It's the second time the 67-year-old Spahr has faced sanctions from the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Another U.S.-Mexico tunnel uncovered

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Another border tunnel has been found on Arizona's border with Mexico.

U.S. Border Patrol agents working in cooperation with local and federal law enforcement agencies found a tunnel Friday in Nogales, under the southbound lane at the DeConcini Port of Entry.

The weight of a passenger bus caused a collapse in the road.

California may allow IOU payments

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Bloomberg) — California lawmakers passed a bill to let recipients use state IOUs to pay fees and taxes owed to the government in Sacramento if the warrants are issued.

The bill, from Assemblyman Joel Anderson, a San Diego Republican, passed the Senate unanimously. It requires all state agencies to accept registered warrants issued to pay for goods and services. The Assembly unanimously approved the measure in September. The Senate vote puts the legislation before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose budget aides oppose it.

DeLay has criminal hearing today

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former House majority leader Tom DeLay is headed to a Texas court again in his fight against state criminal charges.

Today's hearing is a step toward a possible trial for DeLay and two co-defendants. They face money laundering and conspiracy charges related to efforts to elect Republican legislative candidates in 2002.

Defense lawyers say their clients have done nothing wrong. DeLay's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, says the indictment was politically motivated.

Marine gets life for murdering woman