Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

• The Governor of Maryland has criticized a federal appellate court’s decision declaring a cross monument honoring World War I soldiers unconstitutional.
• Mississippi’s Conscience Protection Act has been challenged on the ground that it is unconstitutional; the judge in the case has authorized plaintiffs to ask how many county clerks have asked to be excused from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples..
• An Arizona state court judge has ruled that wedding invitation designers must comply with the city of Phoenix’s anti-discrimination laws.
• The Senate is moving forward with the nomination of former Kansas governor Sam Brownback to the post of international ambassador for religious freedom.