“Supreme Court Seems Ready to Allow Cross Honoring War Dead”: Adam Liptak has this article in today’s edition of The New York Times.

In today’s edition of The Washington Post, Robert Barnes has an article headlined “Supreme Court seems to seek narrow way to uphold cross that memorializes war dead.”

In today’s edition of The Los Angeles Times, David G. Savage has an article headlined “Supreme Court looks ready to protect Maryland’s ‘Peace Cross’ in church-state case.”

Richard Wolf of USA Today reports that “Supreme Court justices search for middle ground in church-state fight over 40-foot Latin cross on state land.”

And Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal reports that “High Court Hears Case of Memorial Cross at Traffic Circle; Cross honors local residents who lost their lives serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War I.”

You can access at this link the transcript of yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court oral argument in American Legion v. American Humanist Ass’n, No. 17-1717.

“Justice Thomas working behind the scenes to boost Trump’s court nominee”: Ann E. Marimow and Seung Min Kim of The Washington Post have an article that begins, “Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is working behind the scenes to boost the prospects of his former law clerk, Neomi Rao, to serve on a powerful federal appeals court in Washington — speaking privately with at least two Republican senators as she faces a contentious confirmation fight.”

William Cummings of USA Today reports that “Controversial pick to fill Kavanaugh’s appeals court seat gets Judiciary Committee OK.”

Alex Swoyer of The Washington Times reports that “Neomi Rao, Kavanaugh replacement pick for appeals court, clears Senate committee.”

Melissa Nann Burke of The Detroit News reports that “Senate panel advances appeals court nominee Rao, a Michigan native.”

Chuck Raasch of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that “Group pulls ad threat after Hawley votes ‘yes’ on controversial Trump judicial nominee.” And in related coverage, Raasch has an article headlined “Hawley’s declarations of independence riling up his party’s right wing.”

Bryan Lowry of McClatchy DC reports that “Hawley, under pressure from right, overcomes qualms about Trump judicial nominee.”

Ariane de Vogue of CNN reports that “Senate panel advances controversial nomination of Neomi Rao.” And Elizabeth Landers of CNN reports that “GOP senator consulted with Clarence Thomas about controversial Trump nominee.”

Andrew O’Reilly of Fox News reports that “Senate panel backs Trump court pick Neomi Rao, as holdout Republicans ease objections.”

Leigh Ann Caldwell of NBC News reports that “Controversial Trump judicial nominee clears Senate Judiciary Committee; The party-line vote came after Neomi Rao met with GOP senators who had raised concerns about her record.”

Jordain Carney of The Hill reports that “Senate panel approves Kavanaugh successor on key appeals court.”

And in commentary, The Wall Street Journal has published an editorial titled “The Right Hurts Its Own: Here’s the back story on Sen. Josh Hawley and nominee Neomi Rao.”

“‘Damaging precedent’: Conservative federal judge installed without consent of home-state senators.” Deanna Paul of The Washington Post has an article that begins, “Seattle attorney Eric Miller was confirmed as a judge on the country’s most liberal appeals court this week without the consent of either home-state senator, a break from tradition that Democrats say Republicans will come to regret.”

Joel Connelly of SeattlePI reports that “McConnell rolls over Murray, Cantwell on Trump court appointment.”

Lisa Mascaro and Gene Johnson of The Associated Press report that “Senate confirms circuit court nominee over Dem objections.”

Gregg Re of Fox News reports that “9th Circuit gets another Trump-picked judge, after White House bypasses consultation with Dems.”

Todd Ruger of Roll Call reports that “Democrats see loss of Senate power in latest judicial vote; Both home-state senators opposed appointment of Eric D. Miller to 9th Circuit.”

And Jordain Carney of The Hill reports that “Senate confirms Trump court pick despite missing two ‘blue slips.’“

“9th Circuit revives Muslims’ lawsuit charging FBI with spying at mosques”: Maura Dolan of The Los Angeles Times has this report.

And Josh Gerstein of Politico reports that “Court rejects state secrets claim in FBI mosque surveillance suit.”

You can access today’s 103-page ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit at this link. The appeal was argued on December 7, 2015.

“Thanks to Trump, the liberal 9th Circuit is no longer liberal; The president’s recent appointments are tilting the balance of the court toward conservatives”: Attorney Ben Feuer has this essay online at The Washington Post.