In brief: Group asks Supreme Court to block gay weddings in Oregon

PORTLAND – The National Organization for Marriage says it is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block a federal judge’s order declaring Oregon’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.

The group, which opposes gay marriage, says it filed the request on Tuesday with Justice Anthony Kennedy, who handles such requests from the region that includes Oregon.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has declined to defend the state’s same-sex marriage ban, and U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ordered last week that gays and lesbians be allowed to marry.

The National Organization for Marriage is seeking a stay of that ruling while it appeals an earlier decision that prohibited the group from defending the marriage ban on behalf of its Oregon members.

Michigan approves minimum wage hike

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Tuesday to raise the state’s minimum wage by 25 percent gradually over the next four years to $9.25 an hour, as Republicans controlling the state government moved to head off a November ballot measure that could have raised pay even more.

The House and Senate passed the bill Tuesday.

The current hourly minimum wage is $7.40.

Attorney to probe White House’s CIA disclosure

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s top lawyer will look into how the name of the CIA’s top official in Afghanistan was accidently revealed to thousands of journalists, the White House said Tuesday.

White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden says chief counsel Neil Eggleston will also make recommendations for how to ensure such a disclosure doesn’t happen again.

The officer’s name was included by U.S. Embassy staff on a list of American officials who met with Obama on Sunday during a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

The Associated Press is withholding the officer’s name at the request of the Obama administration, which said its publication could put his life and the lives of his family members in danger.