“Trump administration issues rules letting some employers deny contraceptive coverage”: Amy Goldstein of The Washington Post has an article that begins, “The Trump administration issued a pair of federal rules on Wednesday that allow some employers to deny insurance coverage of birth control on religious or moral grounds, plowing ahead despite a legal and ideological tempest.”

“Federal Court Strikes Down Maryland Gerrymander; Decision clears way for U.S. Supreme Court to rule on constitutionality of maps drawn to benefit political parties”: Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal has this report.

Jeff Barker of The Baltimore Sun reports that “Federal judges say Maryland’s 6th congressional district is unconstitutional; map must be redrawn for 2020.”

And Steven Shepard of Politico reports that “Federal judges toss Maryland congressional map for partisan gerrymandering; The judges ordered the state to redraw two key districts before the 2020 election.”

“Lasting Implications for the Courts as Republicans Gain in the Senate”: In Thursday’s edition of The New York Times, Charlie Savage will have an article that begins, “Republicans’ expansion of their Senate majority means that the conservative legal movement is poised to expand and entrench its influence over the federal courts, leaving Democrats with dwindling hopes of being able to swiftly diminish that imprint even if they win the White House in 2020.”

“Getting Into Harvard Is Hard. Here Are 4 Ways Applicants Get an Edge.” Anemona Hartocollis will have this article in Thursday’s edition of The New York Times.

“Indianapolis ‘Rick James robbers’ convicted in federal court”: Justin L. Mack of The Indianapolis Star had this report back in February 2017.

Today, a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued this decision affirming in part and reversing in part the defendants’ convictions.

“Federal appeals judges hear arguments in Philly ‘sanctuary city’ case”: Bobby Allyn of WHYY has this report.

“McConnell: Confirming Trump judges ‘top priority’ in divided Congress.” Alex Swoyer and Stephen Dinan of The Washington Times have this report.

Gabby Orr and Daniel Lippman of Politico report that “GOP Senate will keep cranking out Trump judicial, Cabinet nominees; White House officials and allies call retaining the upper chamber’s power to confirm judges and Cabinet nominees a ‘huge victory.’”

Russell Berman of The Atlantic has an article headlined “How Senate Republicans Will Use Their New Power: President Trump could deepen his imprint on the federal judiciary with the help of an even larger GOP majority.”

And Niels Lesniewski of Roll Call has a report headlined “Democratic House Means More Time for Senate Nominations — And Another Trump SCOTUS Pick? The Senate will still have plenty to do, even as legislation languishes with divided government.”

“A Thought Experiment at the Supreme Court Over How to Sue a Country”: Adam Liptak of The New York Times has this report.

Robert Barnes of The Washington Post reports that “Supreme Court seems divided on whether Sudan properly served with USS Cole lawsuits.”

Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal reports that “Supreme Court Hears Sudan’s Appeal on Damages in USS Cole Case; Country argues legal papers were sent to the wrong place; a decision is expected by June.”

Jessica Gresko of The Associated Press reports that “Justices hear lawsuit arising from USS Cole bombing.”

And Andrew Chung of Reuters reports that “Supreme Court divided over USS Cole bombing lawsuit against Sudan.”

You can access at this link the transcript of today’s U.S. Supreme Court oral argument in Republic of Sudan v. Harrison, No. 16-1094.

“West Virginians OK anti-abortion constitutional amendment”: Lori Kersey has this front page article in today’s edition of The Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette-Mail.

“A Hill source also mentioned that federal Judge Edith Jones, who sits on the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, might also be in play” for the Attorney General vacancy: Jeff Zeleny, Kevin Liptak, Laura Jarrett, and Barbara Starr of CNN have a report headlined “Trump prepares to remake his Cabinet.”

“Constitutional amendments approved include Ten Commandments display, right to life”: Chip Brownlee and Hayden Crigler have this report online at The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser.

John Sharp of Alabama Media Group reports that “Ten Commandments amendment overwhelmingly approved.”

And Abbey Crain of Alabama Media Group reports that “Alabama passes anti-abortion amendment.”

“Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice: Tom Parker nabs top judicial seat.” Melissa Brown of The Montgomery Advertiser has a report that begins, “Republican Associate Justice Tom Parker secured his spot as Alabama’s Supreme Court chief justice Tuesday night, holding off a Democratic challenger who outraised him 2-to-1.”

“Legal battle centers on release of Alabama execution details”: Kate Brumback of The Associated Press has a report that begins, “A federal appeals court is considering whether a lower court judge was wrong to rule that Alabama’s execution protocol should be unsealed at the request of news outlets.”

“Louisiana approves unanimous jury requirement, scrapping Jim Crow-era law”: Julia O’Donoghue and Heather Nolan of The Times-Picayune of New Orleans have this report.

And in today’s edition of The Advocate of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, John Simerman and Gordon Russell have a front page article headlined “Louisiana voters scrap Jim Crow-era split jury law; unanimous verdicts to be required.”

“Beth Clement, Megan Kathleen Cavanaugh poised to win Michigan Supreme Court seats”: Julie Mack of MLive has this report.

“Democrat Anita Earls claims victory in NC Supreme Court race”: Will Doran of The News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina has this report.

“Jeff Sessions Is Forced Out as Attorney General as Trump Installs Loyalist”: Peter Baker and Katie Benner of The New York Times have this report

Devlin Barrett, Matt Zapotosky, and Josh Dawsey of The Washington Post report that “Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigns at Trump’s request.”

Chris Megerian and Del Quentin Wilber of The Los Angeles Times report that “Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions resigns at Trump’s request, setting up likely clash over the Russia investigation.”

Sadie Gurman and Aruna Viswanatha of The Wall Street Journal report that “Attorney General Jeff Sessions Resigns from Trump White House; Exit comes at request of President Trump.”

Kevin Johnson of USA Today reports that “Trump fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions, names Matthew Whitaker as interim replacement.”

Jeff Mordock of The Washington Times reports that “AG Jeff Sessions submits resignation letter to Trump.”

And Leada Gore and Amy Yurkanin of Alabama Media Group report that “US Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigns at Donald Trump’s request.”