“U.S. Attorney Says Firing Had Political Origins”: This audio segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on this evening’s broadcast of NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

In news updates available online from The Washington Post: An update headlined “Subcommittee Votes to Compel Testimony on Firings” begins, “A House subcommittee voted today to compel testimony from four U.S. attorneys who were part of a wave of firings by the Justice Department, marking the first high-profile subpoenas from the Democratic-controlled Congress.”

And in other news, “Jurors Don’t Expect Libby Verdict by End of Week.”

“Accused Teacher Denies Surfing for Porn at School”: This audio segment (RealPlayer required) appeared on today’s broadcast of NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

My earlier coverage can be viewed at this link.

“Analysis: Government seeks narrow review on detainees.” Lyle Denniston has this post today at “SCOTUSblog.”

The Associated Press is reporting: Now available online are articles headlined “Hicks First Detainee to Face Tribunal” and “Libby Judge Grants Jury Early Leave.”

“Overruling Roe v. Wade: A Post in Three Parts. Part II: What if they do?” Jessie Hill has this post today at “PrawfsBlawg.”

“A Better Approach to Standing in Establishment Clause Cases”: Law Professor Jack M. Balkin today has this post at his “Balkinization” blog.

Programming note: I’ll be away from the computer for a bit this afternoon. Additional posts will appear later today.

“Lowering our standards of probable cause to permit government intrusion into private residences based solely on proof of mere transmittal of unsolicited email constitutes an unwarranted erosion of the Fourth Amendment.” So writes Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas dissenting from today’s ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a child pornography case.

Today’s ruling overturns a federal district court’s decision that had suppressed the results of the search of the email recipient’s home. Circuit Judge Pamela Ann Rymer wrote the majority opinion, in which retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor joined.

“Incest law ruled valid in local case”: The Canton Repository today contains an article that begins, “Sex between a stepparent and stepchild is illegal, even when it involves consenting adults, the Ohio Supreme Court said Wednesday.”

And The Columbus Dispatch reports today that “Anti-incest ruling upheld despite no blood relation.”

You can access yesterday’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Ohio at this link. My earlier coverage appears here.

“U.S. Judge Finds Padilla Competent to Face Trial”: This article appears today in The New York Times, which also contains an editorial entitled “The Jose Padilla Trial.”

The Washington Post reports today that “Judge Rules Padilla Is Competent to Stand Trial; Accused Combatant Alleges Mistreatment.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that “Padilla ruled fit for terror trial; In a victory for the government, his judge says the defendant has proven himself mentally competent.”

USA Today reports that “Terror suspect Padilla ruled fit to stand trial; Judge: Decision doesn’t address abuse claims.”

The Miami Herald reports that “Judge rules Padilla fit for trial; A federal judge in Miami found terror defendant Jose Padilla psychologically fit to stand trial this spring.”

And The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that “Padilla mentally fit to stand trial in terror case, U.S. judge in Miami says.”

“Supreme Court hears arguments in faith-based initiative case; The justices seem split on whether to allow a challenge to Bush’s plan on 1st Amendment grounds”: David G. Savage has this article today in The Los Angeles Times.

The Chicago Tribune reports today that “Faith-based case divides justices.”

The Boston Globe reports that “High court hears case of faith-based funding; Atheists argue for the right to sue government.”

And The Yale Daily News reports that “Court hears YLS case; Clinic given trial run in Supreme Court.”

“U.S. Blasted for Treatment of Detainees”: The Associated Press provides a report that begins, “The U.N. human rights chief expressed concern Wednesday at recent U.S. legislative and judicial actions that she said leave hundreds of detainees without any way to challenge their indefinite imprisonment.”

“Report to suggest exploring different execution options”: The St. Petersburg Times today contains an article that begins, “The commission studying Florida’s lethal injection procedures will recommend that state officials review if there is a better way to execute condemned inmates than the three-drug cocktail used now.”

And The Gainesville Sun today contains articles headlined “Crist to decide on use of lethal injection drug” and “Executioners’ qualifications still in doubt.”

“Bill Introduced to Ban ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’; HLS will continue to allow recruiters on campus whether or not ban passes”: This article appears today in The Harvard Crimson.

And The Washington Times reports today that “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal eyed.”

“Judge hits politics in choice of marshals; A rare rebuke from US bench”: The Boston Globe today contains an article that begins, “A federal judge in Boston has blasted the US Marshals Service as a ‘second rate’ agency because it is headed by a patronage appointee, and called on Congress to ‘professionalize’ the law enforcement agency. Judge William G. Young, in an unusual addendum to a ruling in an employment discrimination case last week, went out of his way to criticize the way marshals are appointed throughout the country.”

You can access last week’s ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts at this link.

“Fired U.S. Attorney Says Lawmakers Pressured Him”: The Washington Post contains this article today.

The New York Times reports today that “Ex-Prosecutor Says Politics Was Motive for Dismissal.”

And The Albuquerque Tribune reports that “Wilson, Domenici won’t answer questions about U.S. attorney’s firing.”

“Libby Jury Hits Short-Term Snag on Sixth Day”: This article appears today in The Washington Post.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that “Libby jury asks judge about 1 charge; The panel retracts its question about standards for guilt after the judge responds with his own note seeking clarification.”

And The Washington Times reports that “Libby jurors answer own question.”

“High court case tests limits of student speech rights; Key question: Have efforts to keep order in schools gone too far?” Joan Biskupic has this front page article today in USA Today.

“Veiled Truth: Judges believe that they can tell when people are lying just by looking at their faces; poker players know better.” Law Professor Steven Lubet has this essay in the March 2007 issue of The American Lawyer.

“The Supreme Court Decides Whether Taxpayers Can Sue to Challenge the Constitutionality of the Use of Funds for President Bush’s Faith-Based Initiatives”: Rodger Citron has this essay online today at FindLaw.