“Abigail Fisher renews push against affirmative action before the Fifth Circuit; As it prepares to argue at the Supreme Court that Harvard University is discriminating against Asian applicants, Students for Fair Admissions urged the Fifth Circuit to let its case against the University of Texas proceed”: Cameron Langford of Courthouse News Service has this report.

You can access via this link the audio of today’s oral argument before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

“Colorado now guarantees the right to abortion in state law; Gov. Jared Polis signed HB22-1279 into law on Monday”: Saja Hindi of The Denver Post has this report.

“Affirmative action opponents push to revive University of Texas case”: Nate Raymond of Reuters has this report.

“The Antisocial Strain of Sincere Religious Beliefs Is on the Rise; Conservatives are increasingly embracing a version of religious freedom that’s designed to sow unnecessary divisions in society”: Charles McCrary has this essay online at The New Republic.

“Judges unsure if COVID is ‘natural disaster’ under layoff notice law”: Daniel Wiessner of Reuters has this report on a case orally argued today (access the oral argument audio via this link) before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

“Three Republicans for Ketanji Brown Jackson; The statements of support from Senators Collins, Murkowski, and Romney countered the blast of bitter fantasies from their colleagues on the Judiciary Committee”: Amy Davidson Sorkin has this Daily Comment online at The New Yorker.

“Jackson confirmation battle rejuvenates Doug Jones; The former Democratic senator is guiding the first Black woman tapped for the Supreme Court; His one-time colleagues wonder if there’s more to come”: Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett of Politico have this report.

“What’s Really Going On With the Supreme Court? Expert Linda Greenhouse offers insight into a transformed court.” Andrew Beaujon of Washingtonian has this report.

“House sends total abortion ban to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt”: Randy Krehbiel of The Tulsa World has this report.

“Vermont Supreme Court blocks public scrutiny in Hinesburg murder case”: Alan J. Keays of VTDigger has a report that begins, “The Vermont Supreme Court recently met in secret to hear an appeal in a Chittenden County murder case, a move that has concerned and puzzled First Amendment advocates.”

“Jackson’s confirmation proceedings show that historically partisan Supreme Court fights are the new normal”: Tierney Sneed of CNN has this news analysis.

“Tribes defend sovereignty in Supreme Court McGirt filing”: Curtis Killman has this front page article in today’s edition of The Tulsa World.

And Chris Casteel of The Oklahoman reports that “Five Tribes urge Supreme Court to reject Oklahoma claim of jurisdiction.”

You can access at this link the amicus brief that is the subject of these articles. And the rest of the filings in this case can be accessed via the U.S. Supreme Court‘s online docket for the case.

“Inside the consulting firm run by Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas”: Brian Schwartz of CNBC has this report.

“Cheating Is Part of Baseball, Says MLB. A Federal Court Agrees. Fantasy sports fans took the league to court over a sign-stealing scandal. The result was dispiriting.” Law professor Stephen L. Carter has this essay online at Bloomberg Opinion.

“Supreme Court won’t take up free-speech challenges to mandatory bar dues”: Daniel Wiessner of Reuters has this report.

And David McAfee of Courthouse News Service reports that “High Court Won’t Hear Texas Case Over Mandatory Bar Dues.”

“Texas asks Fifth Circuit to nix fees awarded to opponents of anti-BDS law; Two of the appellate judges appeared inclined Monday towards tossing out or substantially reducing a $336,000 attorney’s fees award issued against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton”: Cameron Langford of Courthouse News Service has this report on an oral argument (access the audio via this link) that a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard yesterday.

“Graham says the quiet part out loud with warning to Dems on future nominations; New norms from Republicans could force Democrats to pick between following traditional rules or missing out on judicial confirmations”: Kelsey Reichmann of Courthouse News Service has this report.

“Senate panel deadlocks on 3rd Circuit nominee Arianna Freeman”: Nate Raymond of Reuters has this report.

And Rose Wagner of Courthouse News Service reports that “Four tapped for federal courts advance, but 3rd Circuit nominee is stuck; The Senate Judiciary Committee tied over the appointment of Arianna Freeman, a federal public defender.”

“Onstage at the Reagan Library with Amy Coney Barrett”: The Reagan Foundation has posted this video on YouTube.

In news coverage, Michael R. Blood of The Associated Press has a report headlined “With divisive cases coming, Barrett says ‘Read the opinion.’”

Ariane de Vogue of CNN has a report headlined “Justice Barrett on balancing family and court duties, grappling with sudden fame and being ‘just Amy.’”

And Abigail Adcox of the Washington Examiner reports that “Heckler interrupts Justice Amy Coney Barrett event.”