Judge rejects bid to dismiss atheists’ free-speech suit against state senator

By Linda Satter A First Amendment showdown between an atheist group and Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, can proceed to trial, a federal judge said Monday. In an 81-page order, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker refused to dismiss a Jan. 8 lawsuit alleging that the senator violated the First Amendment rights of atheists who disagreed with …