“Supreme Court to rule on sentencing issue”: This article appeared yesterday in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Available online from law.com: T.R. Goldman reports that “Judicial Nominations May End Up Gridlocked” (see sidebar article).

And California Court of Appeal Justice William W. Bedsworth has an essay entitled “A Microwave Molested One Day at 7-Eleven.”

“Judge’s lawsuit heading for jury; Writer, chief justice fight for reputations”: The Chicago Tribune today contains an article that begins, “As jurors sit down this week to decide a defamation case brought by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Thomas, they can choose from a couple of theories.”

In earlier coverage, Friday’s issue of The Chicago Tribune reported that “Damage to judge by paper doubted; Ex-Justice official questions impact.” Thursday’s newspaper reported that “Judge’s earning power detailed; Economist testifies in defamation suit against ex-columnist.” Wednesday’s newspaper reported that “State’s chief justice testifies in lawsuit; He says that columns hurt reputation, career.” And on Tuesday, the newspaper reported that “Court’s aide says columnist didn’t call; Spokesman testifies in defamation suit.”

The Chicago Sun-Times yesterday published articles headlined “‘Making up facts’ alleged in libel case; State court spokesman says he warned editor“; “Kane jury could get libel case Monday“; and “Judge nominated by Thomas met with Gorecki ally.” On Friday, the newspaper reported that “Columnist defends writings in Justice Bob Thomas’ libel case.” On Thursday, the newspaper reported that “Newspaper opens libel suit defense.” On Wednesday, the newspaper reported that “On stand, chief justice unleashes his outrage; Exclaims shock at columns that spurred libel suit.” And on Tuesday, the newspaper reported that “Justice is expected to testify today; Judge Bob Thomas: Libel trial continues against columnist, area newspaper.”

The Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Illinois reports today that “Libel trial verdict no easy task for jury; Civil lawsuits much different than criminal.” Yesterday, the newspaper reported that “Columnist says he exposed deals; Libel case finds Kane County judges, senators denying political back scratching.” On Friday, the newspaper reported that “Judge’s actions on trial; There was evidence of vote trading, columnist testifies.” On Thursday, the newspaper reported that “Justice argues his case for a multimillion-dollar damage award; Attorneys debate if he’d lose out on lucrative jobs.” And on Wednesday, the newspaper published an article headlined “Thomas: columns have long effects; Judge cites damage to his reputation, humiliation.”

“Why the FBI Is Coming After Me”: Ann Louise Bardach has this essay today in the Outlook section of The Washington Post.

And in related news coverage, The Miami Herald today contains articles headlined “Posada a target of new federal probes; Authorities are building a new criminal case against Cuban exile Luis Posada Carriles, zeroing in on his alleged role as the mastermind of bombings in Cuba a decade ago” and “FBI destroyed evidence as ‘routine’ matter.”

“‘Gay Divorce?’ A Knottier Knot for Gay Couples.” This article appears today in the Week in Review section of The New York Times.

“Judge Gives Injunction Over UND Nickname”: The Associated Press provides a report that begins, “A district judge has granted a preliminary injunction to stop the NCAA from banning the University of North Dakota from hosting a postseason game because of its ‘Fighting Sioux’ nickname, state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said.”

“Live Blogging: Nino Scalia.” Yale law student Vivek Krishnamurthy has this post at his blog “dominion wine and cheese society.” My earlier coverage appears at this link.

“New Democratic Majority Throws Bush’s Judicial Nominations Into Uncertainty”: Neil A. Lewis has this article today in The New York Times.