“In Clarence Thomas’s gun rights opinion, race plays a major role”: In today’s edition of The Washington Post, metro columnist Courtland Milloy has an essay that begins, “He hardly ever speaks during oral arguments, often appearing asleep on the bench. But in his written opinion Monday supporting the right to bear arms, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas roared to life.”

“Gun rights, campaign spending top high court term”: Mark Sherman of The Associated Press has this report.

And in related news, The AP reports that “Kagan hearings near end with confirmation likely.”

“When is a drug too risky to stay on the market?” The Associated Press has this report.

“Kagan declines to take sides on ‘Twilight’ debate”: The AP has this report.

“Day 3: Nominee Kagan won’t criticize Roberts court.” The Associated Press has this report.

“State Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban”: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has this news update.

And The Associated Press reports that “Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban.”

You can access today’s ruling of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin at this link.

“Big green litigation machine: He’s fun & frantic & beloved — and may be the most sued mascot in the majors.” The Phillie Phanatic is the subject of this cover story published today in The Philadelphia Daily News. A related item can be accessed here.

“Roberts led Supreme Court through assertive term”: Robert Barnes has this article today in The Washington Post.

“Kagan Follows Precedent by Offering Few Opinions”: This article appears today in The New York Times. Yesterday’s newspaper, meanwhile, contained an article headlined “Serenity of Harvard Club Unruffled by Court Hearing.”

The Washington Post reports today that “Kagan makes bipartisan appeal in Supreme Court confirmation hearings.” Dana Milbank’s “Washington Sketch” column is headlined “The dodgy Miss Kagan.” And Stephanie J. Jones has an op-ed entitled “Thurgood Marshall’s legacy deserves cheers, not sneers.”

James Oliphant of The Los Angeles Times reports that “Kagan’s accuracy questioned during confirmation hearing; Tense moments arise on the Supreme Court nominee’s first full day of testimony during inquiries on military recruiting at Harvard Law School; Gun rights and national security policy are also discussed.”

USA Today contains a front page article headlined “Kagan, senator spar on military; Views of Harvard policy produce heat at hearing.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that “Kagan Fends Off Republican Challenges.”

David Lightman and Michael Doyle of McClatchy Newspapers report that “Kagan pushes back on GOP questioning.”

Warren Richey of The Christian Science Monitor reports that “At hearings, Elena Kagan defends approach to military recruiting; In her testimony before senators Tuesday, Elena Kagan suggested that her policy when she was dean at Harvard Law School did not impose a hardship on military recruiters there.”

The Associated Press has articles headlined “Kagan to hide sharp wit at confirmation hearing“; “Kagan hearings a short course in Legalese 101“; and “Republicans resurrect Marshall as target.”

And David Ingram of The National Law Journal reports that “On Day 2, Kagan Tries to Appease Republicans.”

“Kennedy Retains His Pivotal Role”: Jess Bravin has this article today in The Wall Street Journal, along with an article headlined “Stevens Evolved From Court Loner to Liberal Wing’s Leader.”

You can freely access the full text of the article about Justice John Paul Stevens via Google News.