Connecticut religious discrimination suit moves closer to trial.

A religious discrimination suit against Naugatuck Valley Community College by a tenured business professor, who is also a priest, and his supervisor is moving closer to trial.

A federal judge in Bridgeport, Conn., has ruled that Father James Crowley and Professor Dennis Spector can pursue most of their claims related to alleged violations of their rights to free exercise of religion and academic expression.

However, U.S. District Judge Janet Hall dismissed two claims based on the Connecticut constitution.

State Attorney Gen. Richard Blumenthal, whose office represents Naugatuck Valley, located in Waterbury, Conn., said it is the only religions bias …