“The judge shortage: Vacant federal judgeships threaten our judicial system; It’s time for the president and the Senate to act.” Eric M. George and William H. Neukom will have this op-ed Friday in The Los Angeles Times.

“Feds to see if former Judge Camp’s cases were compromised by drug use, racial bias”: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has this news update.

And The Associated Press has a report headlined “Prosecutors: Woman says judge detailed racial bias.”

“Ohio Supreme Court: Condemned may not challenge lethal-injection method of execution.” The Columbus Dispatch has a news update that begins, “There is no basis under Ohio law to challenge the lethal injection method of execution, a divided Ohio Supreme Court ruled today.”

And The Toledo Blade has a news update headlined “Ohio Supreme Court split on forum considering whether execution method humane.”

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

“Judge admits he violated rights; Reprimand urged for jailing lawyer over Pledge of Allegiance”: This article appears today in The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Mississippi.

“N.J. Supreme Court rules worker who copied documents for discrimination lawsuit is protected”: The Newark Star-Ledger has this news update reporting on a ruling that the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued today.

“Cady to be chief of Iowa Supreme Court until new justices selected”: Grant Schulte of The Des Moines Register has this blog post.

“State’s chief justice looking forward to goodbye; After 14 years heading the Supreme Court, Ronald M. George has no second thoughts about retiring”: Maura Dolan has this article today in The Los Angeles Times.

Today in The San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Egelko reports that “Ronald George opposes elections for Supreme Court.”

And Howard Mintz of The San Jose Mercury News reports that “California chief justice gives his exit interview.”

“Gay marriage opponents quit fight to remove judge”: The Associated Press has this report.

“‘Death for me will be a welcome relief’: Hayes sent to death row for Petit murders.” The New Haven Register has a news update that begins, “In an emotional court session featuring statements from Dr. William Petit Jr. and other family members, as well as from convicted murderer Steven J. Hayes, Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue sentenced Hayes to six consecutive sentences of death for his role in the Cheshire home invasion that ended in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters.”

And The Hartford Courant has a news update headlined “Steven Hayes Sentenced To Death; Judge: ‘This Is A Sentence You Wrote Yourself.’”

You can access online the sentencing statements of defendant Steven Hayes and survivor Dr. William Petit Jr.

“Court surprisingly hostile to FOIA exemption”: Tony Mauro has this news analysis online at the First Amendment Center.

You can access the transcript of yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court oral argument in Milner v. Department of Navy, No. 09-1163, by clicking here.

Proposition 8 judicial disqualification motion denied: That didn’t take long. Today’s order issued by Ninth Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt can be accessed here.

“Dr. William Petit To Speak Of Family At Steven Hayes’ Sentencing Thursday; Uncertain If Hayes Will Address Court”: The Hartford Courant has this news update.

The New York Times reports today that “Cheshire Appeal Will Point to Twitter.”

And The Associated Press reports that “Conn. man faces death sentence in home invasion.”

“Scottsdale drugmaker case could change what companies tell investors”: Today’s edition of The Arizona Republic contains an article that begins, “When the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a case on a Scottsdale company’s failure to tell investors about complaints over its Zicam nasal products, the decision could have significant ramifications on what all publicly traded companies must disclose about their products.”

“Miss. judge awaits confirmation; U.S. Senate poised to approve James Graves to Court of Appeals post”: This article appears today in The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Mississippi.

The National Transportation Safety Board has posted online the preliminary aviation accident report for Gregory S. Coleman’s November 23, 2010 flight to Destin, Florida: You can view the report by clicking here.

“Prop. 8 sponsors ask judge to disqualify himself”: Bob Egelko has this article today in The San Francisco Chronicle.

Howard Mintz of The San Jose Mercury News reports today that “Proposition 8 backers move to bump liberal judge from appeal.”

The Associated Press reports that “Judge asked to disqualify himself in Prop. 8 case.”

And at “SCOTUSblog,” Lyle Denniston has a post titled “Prop. 8: Circuit Judge challenged; Backers of California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage seek removal of a liberal judge from the Ninth Circuit panel hearing the case next week.”

You can access the disqualification motion at this link.