Following up an earlier story, the University of Kentucky has agreed to settle a hiring dispute with an astronomer who claimed he was denied a position because of his religious beliefs. Martin Gaskell was a leading candidate to direct the school's new observatory until his views questioning evolution came to light.

[Gaskell's attorney Francis] Manion said the lawsuit also accomplished its goal of uncovering evidence that "he had been treated unjustly by UK," he said."Not everybody was talking about his religion," Gaskell acknowledged. But "it does seem that some people were."

UK and Gaskell agreed on a settlement of $125,000, avoiding a trial that was set for February 8.