1.   -- Mississippi officials failed to persuade the Supreme Court to revive a state law that sanctions voluntary student prayer in public schools.

2.   In an Alabama case, a separate three-judge panel ruled unanimously that schools cannot prohibit nonsectarian, nonproselytizing student prayer at school functions.

3.   In those instances, student prayers might well be considered private speech, protected by the First Amendment principles of free speech and free exercise of religion.

4.   Mississippi officials today failed in a Supreme Court bid to revive a state law that sanctions voluntary student prayer in public schools.

5.   The court also agrees to hear again cases involving the mapping of a Carolina congressional district, student prayer at commencement, traffic arrests.

6.   Voluntary, individual student prayers are still legal in public schools.

7.   Ownby, the superintendent, said while he personally favors student prayer before football games, the district must enforce the law.