Unwed couples living together currently illegal - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Unwed couples living together currently illegal

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  • Heartland News

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:06 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:06:52 GMT
    You might think it’s a problem in foreign countries, or big cities, but the SEMO Rescue and Restore Coalition said human trafficking is a problem in the Heartland.“Human trafficking is happening in our own backyards,” said Sandra Self with the coalition.“It’s hard for us because we’re kind of, we think we’re insulated, here in the Midwest, you know in the middle of the country thinking that would never happen around here, but unfortunately it does,” said Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.“We g...
    You might think it’s a problem in foreign countries, or big cities, but the SEMO Rescue and Restore Coalition said human trafficking is a problem in the Heartland.“Human trafficking is happening in our own backyards,” said Sandra Self with the coalition.“It’s hard for us because we’re kind of, we think we’re insulated, here in the Midwest, you know in the middle of the country thinking that would never happen around here, but unfortunately it does,” said Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.“We g...
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:58 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:58:57 GMT
    A Jackson County family was stunned after learning their dog was shot and killed by police.Authorities aren’t talking, but the family is.“I was just thinking how could somebody do that to me and just leave him in my yard for me to come home and find,” Tilley said.Brittney Tilley and her dad never expected they would bury their two-year-old dog Boots so soon.The beagle and lab mix was found shot in the head on Sunday. Days later, they still don’t know what drove someone to kill the dog.“A deci...
    A Jackson County family was stunned after learning their dog was shot and killed by police.Authorities aren’t talking, but the family is.“I was just thinking how could somebody do that to me and just leave him in my yard for me to come home and find,” Tilley said.Brittney Tilley and her dad never expected they would bury their two-year-old dog Boots so soon.The beagle and lab mix was found shot in the head on Sunday. Days later, they still don’t know what drove someone to kill the dog.“A deci...
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:54:34 GMT
    A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a repair project on the U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., that will impact truck traffic this summer.According to KYTC, trucks will be have to be rerouted for approximately 70 days beginning after June 24.KYTC District 1 spokesman Keith Todd said the agency wants truckers and suppliers who depend in the bridge to be aware of the coming project.“This project involves repairs on bridge deck s...
    A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a repair project on the U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., that will impact truck traffic this summer.According to KYTC, trucks will be have to be rerouted for approximately 70 days beginning after June 24.KYTC District 1 spokesman Keith Todd said the agency wants truckers and suppliers who depend in the bridge to be aware of the coming project.“This project involves repairs on bridge deck s...
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -

You may be breaking the law and not even realize it. It's currently illegal for unmarried couples to live together in Virginia, but a lawmaker is trying to change that.

Senator Adam Ebbin is pushing a bill to repeal the law that dates back more than a century. A Senate committee voted unanimously to repeal the law Monday.

"I actually did not know I was breaking the law," replied Parker Roach. "It's crazy."

Parker and Nisse are raising little one-year-old Laila. The couple is one of 140,000 Virginia couples who are living together illegally.

"It's crazy," said Parker. "It has to be some B.S."

We caught up with Sen. Ebbin who is pushing a bill to repeal the law that has been on the books since the 19th century.

"We have to face the reality of today and not the reality of 1877," said Sen. Ebbin. "It should have been done years ago, but this is the year it is going to happen."

Dr. Steve Parson with the Richmond Christian Center thinks repealing the law is a bad move.

"I think that's a bad idea," said Dr. Parson. "Leave the law like its. Now whether or not people abide by it... you can't make people, but leave the law like it is."

It is not likely you will see any blue lights because of the misdemeanor violation, but lawmakers and these couples agree they'll rest a lot easier when the issue is settled.

This law is actually on the books in three other states: Mississippi, Michigan and Florida. The repeal could head to the Senate as early as Thursday. 

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