WASHINGTON -- Administration officials say the Justice Department will urge the U.S. Supreme Court to allow same-sex marriage to resume in California, wading into the protracted legal battle over Proposition 8 and giving gay-rights advocates a new court ally.

After first suggesting it would not get involved, the Obama administration will file a friend-of-the-court brief late today in support of the two gay couples who launched the fight over the issue four years ago, the officials said. Today is the last day for filing briefs in support of the couples' position.

SPRINGFIELD — Marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is even closer to becoming the law of the land in Illinois.

The Illinois House Executive Committee voted 6-5 to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday, setting the stage for the its final showdown in the full House chamber, the bill’s last hurdle before potentially becoming law.

“This is a wonderful moment for the State of Illinois,” said Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor in the House, moments after the committee victory.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A majority of Nevadans favor repealing the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, according to a newly released survey.

LONDON – Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the top figure in the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and a leading voice against LGBT equality in the United Kingdom, has resigned after being accused by four priests of “inappropriate behavior.”

The accusations, which surfaced over the past few days, have rocked the UK as the Parliament has been debating a marriage-equality bill.