“Democrats Split over Prospect of Alito Filibuster”: This segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on today’s broadcast of NPR‘s “Day to Day.”

The Associated Press is reporting: Now available online are articles headlined “Lawyers Challenged to Simplify Enron Case“; “Victims, Experts Set to Follow Enron Trial“; and “BlackBerry Shutdown Fears Overblown.”

“Judge affirms spam suits; Md. appellate ruling upholds tool against unsolicited e-mail”: The Baltimore Sun today contains this article reporting on a ruling that the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland issued yesterday.

Eleventh Circuit affirms award of $117,000 to plaintiff who sued for being falsely imprisoned inside a Barnes & Noble store: You can access today’s ruling at this link.

Judge Alito rules: For those saddened by the short duration of today’s debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit today issued two opinions in which Circuit Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. joined. Although Judge Alito wrote neither opinion, in one he cast the deciding vote. The decisions are available online here and here.

“Coulter Jokes Justice Should Be Poisoned”: The Associated Press provides a report that begins, “Conservative commentator Ann Coulter, speaking at a traditionally black college, joked that Justice John Paul Stevens should be poisoned.”

And in local coverage of the speech, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette today contains an article headlined “Author fires up LR college audience; For liberals and conservatives, Coulter arouses range of emotions.”

“It’s best not to mock a judge on the Internet after he’s dealt with you; He might just call you back into his court, then toss you in jail”: “Obscure Store” points to this article published today in The Detroit Free Press.

“Appeals court jurist committed to family, faith, volunteerism”: This obituary of Sixth Circuit Judge Susan Bieke Neilson appears today in The Detroit News.

Liberty Mutual’s second attempt to remove lawsuit to federal court under Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 fares better than its first in the Seventh Circuit: Circuit Judge Frank H. Easterbrook has issued this opinion today on behalf of a unanimous three-judge panel. Back in June 2005, on behalf of a somewhat different three-judge panel, Judge Easterbrook issued an opinion in the same case refusing to review the federal district court’s earlier refusal to permit removal of the case to federal court.

“Boxer X appeals the dismissal, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915A, of his civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. §1983 against Angela Harris, a guard at his Georgia prison, who, according to the complaint, made him strip and masturbate for her enjoyment.” So begins an opinion that a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued today. Accepting the prisoner’s factual allegations as true, the court today reinstates the lawsuit because the plaintiff “has stated a claim under our privacy jurisprudence and for retaliation under the First Amendment.”

“Reid admits Democrats can’t block Alito”: Reuters provides this report.

And Jesse J. Holland of The Associated Press reports that “Republicans Clear the Way for Alito Vote.”

Debate on the nomination resumes on the floor of the U.S. Senate at noon today. You can watch live, online via C-SPAN2 (RealPlayer required).

“U.S. appeals court says won’t move Enron trial”: Reuters provides this report.

And today in The Houston Chronicle, Mary Flood has articles headlined “Lawyers to share table near jury; Prosecution, defense to switch off, judge decides” and “Only two defendants, but many accused; Government will cite nearly 100 ‘unindicted co-conspirators.’”

“GOP sets up showdown over Alito; Massachusetts senators try ‘uphill’ filibuster push”: CNN.com provides this report.

And at “Daily Kos,” U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has a post titled “Filibuster Alito.”

In reviewing labor-management arbitration awards, the Sixth Circuit fails to take the severely restricted standard of review specified by the U.S. Supreme Court seriously enough: So contends Circuit Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton in a very interesting concurring opinion issued today.

In news from Indiana: The Indianapolis Star reports today that “Abortion bill defines start of life; Conception is it, doctors would have to tell women.” The proposed legislation can be accessed here, while additional background on the proposed legislation is available via this link.

And The Associated Press reports that “Indiana inmate executed just minutes after court ruling.” Lyle Denniston offers additional coverage at “SCOTUSblog.”

“Valdez spill lingers in court and on Alaska shores”: Reuters provides this report.

Available onine from The Associated Press: David Kravets has an article headlined “Exxon Valdez Judgment Dispute Back in Court” reporting on a case to be argued today before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

And in news from Italy, “Judge to Rule on Merit of Christ Case.”

The Sacramento Bee is reporting: Today’s newspaper reports that “Kenneth Starr to assist death row clemency bid.” My earlier coverage is here.

And yesterday, the newspaper reported that “Moussaoui’s lawyers may get pre-9/11 data; Judge in sentencing case tells U.S. to turn over intelligence files to the defense.” My earlier coverage is here.

“Kerry, Kennedy Threaten Filibuster on Alito”: This segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on today’s broadcast of NPR‘s “Morning Edition.”

Day three of debate on whether to confirm Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court of the United States is scheduled to begin on the floor of the U.S. Senate at noon today. You can view the proceedings live, online via C-SPAN2 (RealPlayer required).

“Bredesen has shot to shape high court; Retirements let governor name 3 of 5 justices”: The Tennessean today contains an article that begins, “With two Tennessee Supreme Court justices announcing their resignation this week, Gov. Phil Bredesen has the rare opportunity to select a majority of the court within one year.”

“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.”

Meanwhile, back in New Jersey: Today in The Bergen Record, Amy Klein reports that “Chagares nominated to fill judgeship vacated by Chertoff.”

The Newark Star-Ledger reports today that “Stalemate broken on U.S. judges for Jersey; White House agrees to fill vacancies in Trenton, Camden and Newark.”

Men may be from Mars, and women from Venus, but The Asbury Park Press reports today that “Bush nominates a Neptune native for trial-court judgeship; She is currently a U.S. Magistrate.”

And The Philadelphia Inquirer reports today that “Prosecutor Bumb picked for U.S. bench; The assistant U.S. attorney’s big wins include Milton Milan’s conviction.”

“Democrats Split Over Filibuster On Alito”: This front page article will appear Friday in The Washington Post.

“BlackBerry outage? Oh, the horror.” Yesterday’s issue of The Los Angeles Times contained this article.

“Key Enron trial nears, but climate has changed”: This article will appear Friday in The Christian Science Monitor.

“Senate GOP Seeks to Force Vote on Alito”: Jesse J. Holland of The Associated Press provides this report.

And Thomas Ferraro of Reuters reports that “Two more Senate Democrats back Alito.”

If a filibuster is underway, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) says that he supports it.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN) files cloture motion to close debate on the nomination of Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court of the United States: The cloture vote will occur at 4:30 p.m. on Monday of next week, and the up-or-down vote on the nomination will occur at 11 a.m. on Tuesday of next week if cloture is successfully invoked on Monday.

“Flight attendants win case against Air Canada”: The Toronto Globe and Mail provides a news update that begins, “The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Tuesday that Air Canada’s flight attendants can compare their pay with that of pilots and ground crews to determine if they are being discriminated against because of gender.” You can access today’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada at this link.

“Prochoice Puritans”: Katha Pollitt will have this essay in the February 13, 2006 issue of The Nation.

“Nevada Court Rules Google Cache is Fair Use; Important Milestone for Digital Copyright Law”: The Electronic Frontier Foundation provides this report on a ruling that the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada issued last week.

In 9/11-related perjury prosecution against Osama Awadallah arising from testimony he gave under oath to a federal grand jury, Second Circuit affirms trial court’s prohibition on asking grand jurors to testify concerning their subjective impressions of the defendant’s demeanor and appearance: You can access today’s ruling at this link. The ruling is a setback to federal prosecutors, who took the appeal seeking to overturn the trial court’s pretrial order limiting the type of questions that could be put to grand jurors who will be called as witnesses for the prosecution at trial. Some additional background about the case can be accessed here.