From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

2013, a tipping point for same-sex marriage.

I'm Barbara Bogave sitting in for Warren Olney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Ten days ago, a district court in Utah upheld the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.

If the ruling stands, Utah will be the 18th state in the nation to permit such unions,

twice as many as there were last summer when the Supreme Court stopped short of taking a definitive stand on the issue. Activists are hailing the development as a turning point for gay rights. Opponents are

decrying judicial activism. By this time next year, will same-sex marriage be the norm in America?

Also, on today's talking point, does familiarity breed success? Why movie sequels ruled at the box office this year. First,

the news. Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel, stream BBC World Service, NPR and KCRW programs,

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

We're back with To the Point on Barbara Bogave, in for Warren only.

Just ahead, Utah could become the 18th state to permit same-sex marriage,

and lawsuits over gay marriage are working their way through the courts in 17 other states.

Is 2013 the tipping point for same-sex marriage in America?

That's coming up.

Later on today's talking point, Hollywood keeps mining the same material,

why movie franchises dominated the box office in 2013.

First, this news update.

Two deadly bombings have struck the southern Russian city of Volgaard in the past two days.

At least 30 people are dead and there are as many as 70 wounded in what appear to be suicide attacks.

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