Ashcroft defends FBI interviews of protesters

Attorney General John D. Ashcroft defended FBI interviews of some political protesters around the country before the Democratic National Convention last month in Boston, which critics had described as an intimidation tactic. At a news conference yesterday, Ashcroft said FBI agents interviewed only protesters they thought were plotting to firebomb media vehicles at the convention or might have known about such plots. Ashcroft said suggestions that the interviews were aimed at stifling protests were an ''outrageous distortion." (AP)

LOUISIANA

Judge rules vs. vote on gay marriage ban
NEW ORLEANS -- A state judge ruled late last night that a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions is unconstitutional and must be taken off the Sept. 18 ballot. Civil District Court Judge Christopher Bruno said the proposed amendment is unconstitutional because it addresses more than one issue and would appear on a ballot that was not on a statewide election date. Several cases involving the proposals are circulating through various courts. The issue is likely to be resolved at the state Supreme Court, according to legal observers. Bruno agreed with opponents of the amendment that it illegally focuses on outlawing gay marriages but also civil unions and other legal ties. (AP)

KANSAS

College class, professor linked to BTK killer
WICHITA -- Investigators in the BTK serial killings disclosed yesterday that they have evidence from his writings that the killer was familiar with a professor at Wichita State University who died in 1991 and a folk song she had discussed in class. Police Lieutenant Ken Landwehr asked the public for help in identifying anyone who had contact with the late professor P.J. Wyatt or knew someone familiar with a folk song titled ''Oh Death." In a series of letters, the BTK killer claimed responsibility for eight deaths in Wichita between 1974 and 1986. The letters ''BTK" stand for ''bind, torture, kill." The communications had stopped for more than two decades before resuming this year. (AP)