Judge rules against courtroom prayer program A federal judge in Texas has ruled against a Texas justice of the peace in a suit claiming that he violated the establishment clause by soliciting chaplains to deliver courtroom prayers at the opening of court proceedings. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt of the Southern District of Texas said the program instituted by Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack impermissibly coerced court attendees into participating, even though signs state that people can leave during the ceremony. (Courthouse News Service, Freedom From Religion Foundation press release, Hoyt’s May 20 opinion) Public comment sought by DOE on student loans