Appeals court rules in favor of St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A federal appeals court rules in favor of the city of St. Louis in a lawsuit that alleged reverse discrimination against two white firefighters.

In its ruling Tuesday, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the city was not liable for damages to two white firefighters who had alleged reverse racial discrimination.

The court said the city was under a 1976 consent decree aimed at increasing the number of qualified black firefighters when two white applicants were not given positions.

The consent decree was dissolved in 2003 after it was determined racial parity had been achieved.