“Vermont Jury Gets Rare Death-Penalty Case”: This segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on this evening’s broadcast of NPR‘s “All Things Considered.”

“Thomas, the sole black justice, a critic of discrimination claims”: Stephen Henderson of Knight Ridder Newspapers provides this report.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of California is scheduled to announce the impact of Blakely and Booker on criminal sentencing in that State: A description of the cases in which that court is scheduled to announce opinions on Monday can be accessed here.

“Book Criticizes Sept. 11 Panel’s Suggestions”: Seventh Circuit Judge Richard A. Posner is featured on this segment (RealPlayer required) from this evening’s broadcast of NPR‘s “All Things Considered.”

Former D.C. Circuit Judge Kenneth W. Starr moderates a debate between Ninth Circuit Judges Stephen Reinhardt and Alex Kozinski: Thanks to C-SPAN, you can access the debate online, on-demand by clicking here (RealPlayer required).

C-SPAN’s web site describes the event as follows:

At the 13th Annual California Court Panel, Ninth Circuit Judges Alex Kozinski and Stephen Reinhardt discuss “Where Will Another Right Turn Take Us?” The panelists will analyze and discuss — from a liberal and conservative perspective — recent Supreme Court decisions and potential decisions on cases still pending before the 2004-05 U.S. Supreme Court term. The panel is moderated by Ken Starr.

The event was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and was videotaped this past Wednesday in Beverly Hills, California.

“Bush Advised to Wait on Top Court Nominee”: Jesse J. Holland of The Associated Press provides this report.

“State Supreme Court limits ruling on sentences”: The Seattle Times today contains an article that begins, “The state Supreme Court yesterday significantly limited the scope of a 2004 U.S. Supreme Court decision that critics worried would shorten the sentences of countless inmates.”

And The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports today that “Court limits inmate appeals of extra-long sentences.”

“Pornography purveyors sue AG in federal court”: This article appears today in The Rocky Mountain News.

“Application of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2340–2340A to the Music of Christina Aguilera”: The blog “Underneath Their Robes” offers this post.

The Daily Journal of California is reporting: In coverage of yesterday’s rulings from the Supreme Court of California, you can access online articles headlined “Big Punitives Still Available as Deterrent; State Supreme Court Sets Damage Issue For California Cases” and “Roller Coaster is Common Carrier, Court Rules.”

“Court Sets Punitives Guidelines; Businesses, plaintiffs both claim win as justices interpret ‘State Farm'”: Jeff Chorney has this article today in The Recorder of of San Francisco, California.

“Possible Vacancy on High Court”: This segment (RealPlayer required) featuring Nina Totenberg appeared on today’s broadcast of NPR‘s “Morning Edition.”

“Therapist to appeal to Supreme Court”: The Denver Post today contains an article that begins, “A federal appeals court Thursday dealt a major setback to a civilian Colorado Springs therapist hoping to stay out of jail, saying an Air Force judge in Texas acted properly in ordering her arrest for withholding rape-counseling records from the Air Force.”

And The Rocky Mountain News reports today that “Court rules against therapist; Appeals judges back military in dispute over patient records.”

“Iowa judge’s ruling in lesbian divorce case will stand”: The Des Moines Register provides this news update.

And The Associated Press reports that “Court Won’t Challenge Civil Union Ruling.”

“Catching drunk drivers paramount, court rules”: The Toronto Globe and Mail today contains an article that begins, “Police in Manitoba had a right to assess the sobriety of two drivers at a roadside check even though the men had not been instructed of their right to legal counsel, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled yesterday.”

You can access yesterday’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada at this link.

Battle over the Unabomber’s stuff is argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: A three-judge Ninth Circuit panel — consisting of Chief Judge Mary M. Schroeder, Circuit Judge Michael Daly Hawkins, and Senior Circuit Judge William C. Canby (all of whom, coincidentally, are based in Phoenix) — yesterday heard oral argument in San Francisco of an appeal involving whether Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski possesses the right to donate writings and other belongings seized from his Montana cabin to his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

As I mentioned here last night, David Kravets of The Associated Press covered the oral argument in a report headlined “Fight Over Unabomber Materials in Court.”

Thanks to the Ninth Circuit’s web site, you can download the oral argument audio (Windows Media format) in this interesting case by right-clicking on this link and saving the audio file to your computer.

“Gay man awarded new hearing in child custody case; Court of Appeals rules in matter from Virginia”: This article appears today in The Baltimore Sun. You can access Monday’s unreported opinion of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals at this link (51-page scanned PDF file).

BREAKING NEWS — Unanimous Supreme Court of Iowa rebuffs challenge to Iowa trial court’s order dissolving a Vermont same-sex civil union: You can access today’s ruling at this link. The court holds that the order’s challengers, because they were not parties to the trial court proceeding, lack standing to have their objections decided on the merits.

Update: Yesterday at the blog “A Stitch in Haste,” KipEsquire previewed the ruling in a post titled “The Court Not Giveth, But the Court Still Taketh Away?”

“Delta cleared in alcohol suit; High court rules airline not responsible for driver who caused an accident after drinking on flight”: Today in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bill Rankin has this article reporting on a decision that the Supreme Court of Georgia issued yesterday.

“Ruling expected today on gay divorce challenge”: The Sioux City Journal today contains an article that begins, “The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling today on whether a Woodbury County judge acted properly in granting a lesbian couple a divorce two years ago, a case that inspired outrage from opponents of gay marriage. The couple, both Iowans, had traveled to Vermont to obtain a civil union, which in that state gives gay couples many of the same legal benefits of marriage. Once the relationship ended, the couple sought a divorce in Iowa because Vermont only allows divorces for people who have lived there for a year.”

“What Exactly Is Judicial Activism? The Charges Made Against the President’s Judicial Nominees.” FindLaw commentator John W. Dean has this essay online today.

In news from Boston: The Boston Globe today contains articles headlined “Court backs Lynn use of race in school plan; Voluntary system of student transfer” and “Romney backs new effort to prohibit gay marriages; Proposal for ballot excludes civil unions.”

And The Boston Herald reports today that “In switch, Mitt goes anti-gay union.”

“Texas names are high on list of could-be justices”: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram today contains an article that begins, “At least eight Texans are being mentioned as potential Supreme Court nominees as anticipation builds over prospects that President Bush soon may face his first vacancy on the high court.”

“Boyle goes to full Senate; Committee OKs judicial nominee”: The News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina contains this article today.

The Charlotte Observer reports today that “Judge’s quest may hit a filibuster; Democrats object to Senate panel endorsing Boyle for U.S. court.”

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that “Nominee for court advances; Committee votes 10-8 to forward Boyle’s name for full Senate vote.”

And The Washington Times reports that “Panel approves Boyle nomination.”

“Theme parks’ liability clarified; State high court’s decision requiring ‘utmost care’ will make it easier for injured riders to prevail in lawsuits”: This article appears today in The Orange County Register.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that “High Court Raises Bar for Safety of Thrill Rides.”

And in The San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Egelko reports that “Justices tighten rules on safety of thrill rides.”

“The Accidental Jurist”: David J. Garrow has this review of Linda Greenhouse’s new book, “Becoming Justice Blackmun: Harry Blackmun’s Supreme Court Journey,” in the June 27, 2005 issue of The New Republic.

“Judge Rules Against Gay O.C. Couple; Mission Viejo men did not have the right to marry, U.S. jurist says; An appeal is planned”: This article appears today in The Los Angeles Times.

And The Orange County Register reports today that “Men lose bid for marriage license; The Mission Viejo couple are weighing their options.”

You can access yesterday’s ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California both here and here.