Churches' Aid Request Denied

HOUSTON (AP) — A judge on Thursday denied an emergency request for relief funds by three Texas churches damaged during Hurricane Harvey that are suing the federal government over how it offers disaster aid to houses of worship.

The churches are suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency over a policy that denies disaster assistance to nonprofit organizations with facilities that are primarily used for political, athletic, vocational or religious activities.

The three houses of worship accuse FEMA of religious discrimination by denying them equal access to disaster relief grants and not...