“Kerry Urges Alito Filibuster, but His Reception Is Cool”: This article appears today in The New York Times.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that “Key Democrats Try to Mount Filibuster Against Alito; The senators admit that their effort to derail the high court nomination is ‘an uphill battle’; The GOP sets a vote for Monday to end debate.”

USA Today reports that “2 more Democrats say they’ll back Alito.”

The New York Sun reports that “Alito Impresses One-Time Brennan Law Clerks.”

In The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michael McGough reports that “Frist tries to end debate on Alito’s nomination; Wants to vote Tuesday, avoid possible Democratic filibuster.”

The Boston Globe reports that “Mass. senators to filibuster Alito; GOP condemns planned move by Kerry, Kennedy.” And columnist Ellen Goodman has an op-ed entitled “An open mind on political theater.”

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports that “2 senators vow filibuster as Alito opposition appears to waver.”

The Washington Times reports that “Alito supported by two more Democrats.” R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. has an op-ed entitled “Flourishes and flubs.” And William Hawkins has an op-ed entitled “Clues from the Founders.”

The Hartford Courant reports that “Lieberman Says He’ll Vote Against Alito; Joins Dodd, 27 Other Democrats In Opposition.”

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports that “Johnson, others will back nominee Alito; Move by three Democrats makes filibuster less likely.”

The Arkansas News Bureau reports that “Lincoln to vote ‘no’ on Alito.”

The Portland (Me.) Press Herald reports that “Collins to vote in favor of Alito.”

The Pawtucket Times reports that “Reed makes the call on Alito.”

And The Pueblo Chieftain reports that “Colorado senators give clashing views on Alito vote.”

In commentary, The Palm Beach Post contains an editorial entitled “Democrats have a case, probably won’t make it.”

The Seattle Times contains an editorial entitled “Alito and the drumroll of executive authority.”

The Virginian-Pilot contains an editorial entitled “An election won, a promise kept.”

And in The Cornell Daily Sun, Jamie Weinstein has an op-ed entitled “Attacking Alito.”

“Man who wouldn’t show ID at airport loses appeal”: Bob Egelko has this article today in The San Francisco Chronicle.

Today in The Oakland Tribune, Josh Richman reports that “High-tech mogul loses airline travel ID case; Court: Passengers have choice to leave or submit to more rigorous search.”

And David Kravets of The Associated Press reports that “Court dismisses challenge to airport ID checks.”

“Hearing Set on Lethal Injections; A death row inmate who is scheduled to die Feb.21 has filed a motion questioning the constitutionality of the execution method”: Henry Weinstein has this article today in The Los Angeles Times.

And Howard Mintz of The San Jose Mercury News reports today that “Ken Starr fights for death row inmate.”

“Justice and Junkets”: An editorial published today in The New York Times begins, “Justice Antonin Scalia certainly has poor judgment when it comes to vacations.”

“Prosecutor Will Step Down From Lobbyist Case”: The New York Times today contains an article that begins, “The investigation of Jack Abramoff, the disgraced Republican lobbyist, took a surprising new turn on Thursday when the Justice Department said the chief prosecutor in the inquiry would step down next week because he had been nominated to a federal judgeship by President Bush.”