Midday Roundup: California issues Boy Scout ban for judges

Forced resignation. A California ethics committee has barred state judges from volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America, saying the group practices discrimination because it does not allow gay or lesbian adult leaders. California is one of 47 states that prohibits judges from participating in what the states consider to be discriminatory organizations, and one of 22 that includes sexual orientation as a protected class, according to the Los Angeles Times. Until last week, the California judiciary had an exception for nonprofit youth organizations and religious organizations. But now, only the religious exception remains. Judges have until January 2016 to leave their volunteer positions with the Boy Scouts.

Frozen. The American Northeast is hunkering down for a blizzard that is expected to drop two feet of snow on the region today. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights in anticipation of the storm, which will affect the Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey to Maine.

Firing dispute. The former Atlanta fire chief has filed a discrimination complaint against the city, claiming officials fired him for his religious beliefs. The complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleges Mayor Kasim Reed terminated Kelvin Cochran because portions of a book he wrote condemn homosexuality as sinful. The city claims Cochran’s termination had nothing to do with the content of his book but rather his failure to get proper approval before publishing it.

Hostage crisis. ISIS says it has killed one of two Japanese hostages held for ransom and wants to exchange the other for a terror suspect held in Jordan. The United States has expressed support for Japan but also stated it does not condone negotiating with ISIS. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough was discussing the Japanese hostage crisis Sunday on ABC’s This Week when he accidentally revealed the name of an American whom ISIS has in captivity. The American is an aid worker who was captured in Syria in 2013.

Drone mishap. A 2-foot “quad-copter” drone crashed on the White House grounds earlier today, causing an “immediate alert and lockdown of the complex until the device was examined and cleared,” the Secret Service said in a statement. The commercially available drone’s breach of the White House no-fly zone is the latest in a string of security breaches there. The drones, which can be bought online and operated remotely, are becoming an increasing problem in Washington, D.C., which has quite a bit of restricted airspace.

In remembrance. Baseball said goodbye this weekend to the legendary shortstop known as “Mr. Cub.” Ernie Banks died Friday at age 83. Banks made history 1953 as the first black player to suit up for the Chicago Cubs. Known for his positive attitude and work ethic, Banks hustled his way to two National League MVP awards and was named to the All-Star team 14 times. He was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

WORLD Radio’s Kent Covington contributed to this report.