Nation briefs 6/20/06

Court: Government can protect wetlands

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the government can block development on hundreds of millions of acres of wetlands, even on land miles away from waterways, as long as regulators prove a connection to the waterways.

Presbyterians to try gender-friendly terms

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The divine Trinity -- "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" -- could also be known as "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend" at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church's national assembly. Delegates voted to "receive" a policy paper on gender-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it.

Enforcing of immigrant workers laws on decline

WASHINGTON -- Enforcement of workplace immigration law has significantly declined since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to testimony at a Senate hearing Monday. The number of unauthorized workers arrested fell from 2,849 in fiscal year 1999 to 445 in 2003, the Government Accountability Office said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Flooding hits Houston area, southwest La.

HOUSTON -- A deluge of more than 10 inches of rain along parts of the Gulf Coast Monday forced the evacuation of a Louisiana nursing home and stranded motorists on roads flooded up to waist-deep in southeast Texas, where National Guard troops were on standby for more storms.

-- From wire reports