NRA appeals federal ruling

The National Rifle Association on Friday appealed a federal court ruling that blocked a Bush administration policy allowing people to carry concealed, loaded guns in national parks.

The decision, issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, halted a regulation from the waning days of the Bush administration.

Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist, said the group will pursue all legal and legislative options.

PALMDALE, Calif.

Woman changes story on dead baby

A woman who reported her 18-month-old daughter missing now says the child died accidentally and that she dumped the body near a freeway, authorities said Friday.

Stacey Barker, 24, told detectives that when her daughter Emma Leigh died, she panicked and believed she would be blamed, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Diane Hecht said.

Emma’s body was found Thursday in Sylmar, a few blocks from Interstate 5. The cause of death was not immediately determined.

Barker initially told investigators that she was knocked unconscious by someone while putting Emma into her car Wednesday. She said Emma was gone when she awoke partially clad hours later in another city.

Officials said the mother was not being detained, but the case would be presented to the district attorney’s office.

MONTPELIER, Vt.

Panel approves gay marriage bill

A state Senate committee unanimously approved a gay marriage bill on Friday, moving Vermont one step closer to allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.

The measure would replace Vermont’s first-in-the-nation civil union law with one that allows marriage of same-sex partners beginning Sept. 1.

Both Houses are expected to pass the measure. Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican, has said he opposes the bill but has declined to say whether he will veto it if it reaches his desk.