Post by Chris Potter

A short time ago, Allegheny County officials confirmed that the county intends to continue offering domestic-partner benefits to same-sex employees and their partners through June 30, 2015.

The move, a formal announcement of which is due later this morning, extends the benefit one year beyond a June 30 termination date previously announced by the county. That termination date had been set in the wake of a federal court ruling in May that struck down the Pennsylvania law prohibiting same-sex marriage.

As reported in this week's issue, the earlier deadline caused consternation among LGBT advocates, who felt it didn't allow employees enough time to make wedding or other arrangements.

We'll have more on this story as it develops today.