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Until recent weeks, this old mining town tucked in the mountains of southeast Arizona was known as a mecca for artists, retirees, and tourists who linger in eclectic shops, bookstores, and cafés. Now many also regard it as a beacon of hope for gay rights.

In a state with a conservative edge, Bisbee, population 5,600, in early April became the first municipality in Arizona to legalize same-sex civil unions. On Tuesday, after threats by Arizona's attorney general to sue Bisbee for exceeding its powers and interfering in state affairs, town leaders tweaked the ordinance to omit references to "spouses" and "marriage" and to refer to its civil unions only as contractual agreements. Read more »

According to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, costs for stroke care are likely to increase. Experts suggest that by 2030 stroke-related medical costs will rise to $240.67 billion, a 129% increase from 2010. Stroke prevalence is expected to increase in the United States by 21% by 2030. Additionally, direct medical costs for older stroke patients are also expected to increase between 172% and 182%. More here

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The Boy Scouts of America Statement:

"For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, with a focus on working together to deliver the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

"Based on growing input from within the Scouting family, the BSA leadership chose to conduct an additional review of the organization's long-standing membership policy and its impact on Scouting's mission. This review created an outpouring of feedback from the Scouting family and the American public, from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change. Read more »

According to estimates from Fidelity Investments, the amount needed to cover medical expenses after retirement has dropped from last year by 8%. Fidelity expects medical expenses for a couple retiring in 2013 at age 65 to be approximately $220,000, not including any nursing home costs or long-term care. The executive vice president of Fidelity, Brad Kimler said, “unlike other needs like housing or food, many drastically underestimate health-care costs and therefore don’t incorporate it into their overall retirement plan.” More here Read more »