“Death Penalty Case to Begin in Vermont”: The Associated Press provides this report.

On the agenda: The Supreme Court of the United States today is scheduled to issue an Order List and opinions in argued cases at 10 a.m. eastern time. My list of the seventeen argued cases that remain pending for decision this Term, setting forth the questions presented and other helpful links, can be accessed here.

At 1 p.m. eastern time, the Supreme Court of California is scheduled to issue an important criminal sentencing ruling (details here).

Finally, this afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, Eleventh Circuit Judge William H. Pryor, Jr. will be sworn-in to a lifetime seat on that court. I congratulate Judge Pryor on having avoided membership in the “Wallace McCamant club” (details here and here).

“Searching for the Definition of ‘Mainstream'”: FOXNews.com today provides a report that begins, “Political candidates hoping to get elected or judicial nominees vying for the federal bench would do well to be in the ‘mainstream’ these days, though the media may try to distance themselves from the designation.”

“How does a conservative judge look?” James A. Davids has this op-ed today in The Daily Press of Hampton Roads, Virginia.

“Expert Says He Was Told to Soften Tobacco Testimony”: This article appears today in The Washington Post.

In news from Kansas: The Associated Press reports that “Special session may pose challenges; Lawmakers might not stay focused on education funding” and “Special session interrupts work of lawmakers who farm.”

The Topeka Capital-Journal contains articles headlined “Special session out of ordinary; Only 20 have been called in state history“; “Farm work interrupted; Session chasing agri-lawmakers from their fields“; “Ralliers protest court ruling; School finance order oversteps authority, speakers say“; and “Session to take broad view; Local lawmakers to look beyond quick school fix.”

The Lawrence Journal-World reported yesterday that “Protesters decry school ruling.”

The Wichita Eagle reports today that “Survey finds funding showdown doubtful; More money likely.”

And The Kansas City Star reports that “Passions cool as session looms; Few legislators say they’d defy court” and “Kansans put off by court action; But most think schools need help.”

“Faith community should stay out of partisan political fights”: Yesterday in The Mobile Register, Randy Brinson had an op-ed that begins, “Since the compromise between moderate Democrat and Republican senators, there has been a wave of rhetoric among the leaders of many of the conservative evangelical groups who became personally embroiled in the controversy.”

“The Tobacco Suit That’s Going Up In Smoke: How the government blew $135 million in six years.” The June 27, 2005 issue of BusinessWeek magazine contains this commentary.

In today’s issue of The Washington Times: An article reports that “Gay ‘marriage’ foes hail California ruling.”

And Donald Lambro has an op-ed entitled “Here come the judges.”

“Abortion court cases could rise; Statute requiring parental signature needs interpreting, some lawyers say”: The Houston Chronicle contains this article today.

“Commandments cases could revive flap over plaque; A 2003 ruling allowed the courthouse decalogue; The U.S. high court is reviewing similar displays” This article appears today in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Watched Pot”: In the June 27, 2005 issue of The New Yorker, Hendrik Hertzberg has a Talk of the Town essay that begins, “If hard cases make bad law, as a three-hundred-year-old courthouse saying has it, then the case of Gonzales et al. v. Raich et al. ought to have been easy and good.”

“If High Court Vacancy Opens, Activists Are Poised for Battle; With past judicial fights in mind, interest groups have new tactics ready if Rehnquist retires soon”: This lengthy article appears today in The Los Angeles Times.