“In Criminal Cases, a Court Nominee Hews to Rules”: Sunday’s edition of The New York Times will contain an article that begins, “If Samuel A. Alito Jr. had been on the Supreme Court back in January, Ronald Rompilla might well be a dead man.”

“Alito to Face Queries on Executive Power Stance”: This segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on this evening’s broadcast of NPR‘s “All Things Considered.”

“Liberal Groups Gear Up to Oppose Confirmation of Alito; Campaign Includes Forums on His Record”: This article will appear Sunday in The Washington Post.

“Animal cruelty suit on behalf of reindeer”: Today in The San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Egelko has an article that begins, “On the day before Christmas Eve, President Bush was sued by reindeer.”

“Alito Memo in ’84 Favored Immunity for Top Officials”: Adam Liptak and David E. Rosenbaum have this article today in The New York Times. The newspaper also contains an editorial entitled “Alito’s Zeal for Presidential Power.”

Today in The Los Angeles Times, David G. Savage and Richard A. Serrano report that “Alito Backed Immunity for Wiretapping; A 1984 memo on a suit against a Nixon-era official may complicate his confirmation.”

The Chicago Tribune reports that “Alito gave argument on illegal wiretaps; Papers also reveal plan to fight Roe vs. Wade.”

In The Boston Globe, Charlie Savage reports that “Alito backed immunity in wiretap case.”

In The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michael McGough reports that “Alito memo on wiretaps likely to draw questioning in Supreme Court nomination hearing.”

Newsday contains an article headlined “Alito’s view on wiretaps: Memo he wrote in ’84 reveals he backed official who ordered warrantless wiretap of group in 1970.”

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports that “Alito supported wiretaps without warrants in memo; Documents from Reagan administration show new evidence of anti-abortion views.”

The Washington Times reports that “Democrats score Alito view on spying.”

And in The Washington Post, Howard Kurtz’s Media Notes column is headlined “Alito ‘Scoop’: What’s Old Is News Again; Media Rehash Alito’s ‘Roe’ Document.”

Available online from OpinionJournal: Yesterday’s edition of The Wall Street Journal contained an editorial entitled “Padilla Put-Down: Forcing the White House to defend its own convictions.”

And in today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal, Melanie Kirkpatrick has an interview headlined “Home for Christmas — Susette Kelo’s story: from humble abode to eminent domain.”