Some Fort Bragg military wives say they'll oppose a fundamentalist church's plan to celebrate the murder of a pregnant soldier from Kentucky. The Fayetteville Observer reported yesterday that Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas plans a "gospel picket" on the death of Army Spc. Megan L. Touma, 23, of Cold Spring in Northern Kentucky. The church has picketed at soldier's funerals across the country because it says the deaths are God's punishment of America for tolerating gays. Police Sgt. John Somerindyke said the church is seeking a city permit for July 16. The newspaper said no messages could be left at the church's telephone number. Danell Shafer of Fort Bragg Mommies says they will oppose the church's picket. Courier Journal News

Oakland United Methodist Church is gathering supplies to send to families in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa, who have suffered from the devastating flooding. The Rev. Richard Roberts, pastor of Oakland United Methodist Church, and his congregation are collecting "flood buckets" to send to the families in need. Roberts is working with the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) to transport the flood buckets. The Press Release

A man says he was so consumed by the spirit of God that he fell and hit his head while worshipping. Now he wants Lakewind Church to pay $2.5 million for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Matt Lincoln says he is suing after the church's insurance company denied his claim for medical bills. The 57-year-old has had two surgeries since the June 2007 injury but still feels pain in his back and legs. He says he was asking God to have "a real experience" while praying. Lincoln says he has fallen from the force of the spirit before but has always been caught by someone. Lawyers for the church say other congregants saw him on the floor laughing after his fall. Denver Post News

At least two counties in California have begun reviewing a plan to uphold the state's laws regarding marriage as being between one man and one woman and disregard a state Supreme Court opinion that has yet to be implemented by the Legislature. In the next step in the state's war over marriage - defined by voters as involving only one man and one woman and by the Supreme Court as two people of either gender - traditional marriage supporters will be attending the Kern County board of supervisors meeting tomorrow when the issue will be discussed. In an alert from the Bakersfield Republican Assembly, officials suggested people "respectfully call the county supervisors and remind them that 80 percent of the voters in Kern County voted for Prop. 22 that defined marriage as between a man and a woman." WND News Page

Congress is searching for ways to address rising gas prices, and one Bay Area lawmaker thinks she's found one: Lower the speed limit on highways. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, in her first bill as a member of Congress, is proposing a national speed limit of 60 mph for freeways in urban areas and 65 mph in less populated areas. San Francisco Chronicle Does this conserve gas usage? I thought we had a price issue and not a shortage issue? Should we ask airplanes to fly slower too? Hmm.

When Carol Wallace sold her Sun City Roseville home two years ago, she got an expensive reminder from her lender. She owed $5,964. Why? She had paid off her adjustable-rate mortgage early. The lender offered to waive it, Wallace said, if she'd buy another house with one of their loans. But here was the point: She had cancer and didn't intend to buy again. She had to pay up. Sacramento Bee If you pay off a loan early, should you be penalized, especially if it is (was) a sub-prime or adjustable loan?

California veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq would become eligible for loans to purchase homes and farms through a $900-million bond act that state lawmakers are asking voters to approve in November. Los Angeles Times

Golden Gate Bridge officials are expected this morning to boost the cost of crossing the landmark span by $1 - the first of two toll increases looming for commuters. The toll increase, approved by the bridge district's finance committee Thursday, is expected to be adopted by the board of directors and to take effect Sept. 1. It would raise tolls to $5 for those paying with Fast-Trak and $6 for cash-payers. San Francisco Chronicle

This just in for a Friday Edition of the “Hogue Blog”…Let’s all remember “Lucky” today, as we watch the emotional salutations at his wonderful flush of a funeral. After watching this video I can only relate to the pain (humor), there have been many times as a parent (particularly earlier in my parenting career) that things like this happened…and they are great memories to hold onto. Take a look at this video and see if it makes you smile as it did me today. Monday Morning Insight