“‘Textbook’ Execution or Botched One? Alabama Case Leaves Sides Divided; Alabama officials said the nation’s first nitrogen gas execution was a model for other states; Critics called it appalling and far from what the state promised”: Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Shaila Dewan, and Anna Betts of The New York Times have this report.

“Alabama executes Kenneth Eugene Smith by new nitrogen gas method for 1988 murder of pastor’s wife”: Ivana Hrynkiw of Alabama Media Group has this report, along with a report headlined “Kenneth Smith thrashed and writhed during execution: ‘That was torture,’ spiritual adviser says.”

“Texas border standoff: What to know about Eagle Pass amid state, federal dispute; ‘This isn’t over,’ Gov. Greg Abbott fights against Supreme Court’s ruling; Says it’s Texas’ constitutional right to protect its border”: Julia Gomez of USA Today has this report.

“Big Donors Back New Group to Fight ‘Deep State’ at Supreme Court”: Lydia Wheeler of Bloomberg Law has this report.

“The conservative legal world lines up behind Donald Trump at the Supreme Court”: Joan Biskupic of CNN has this report.

“Supreme Court Invites Former Clerk to Argue for Death Penalty”: Lydia Wheeler of Bloomberg Law has this report.

“Two US appeals courts form committees to examine AI use”: Nate Raymond and Sara Merken of Reuters have this report.

“Clerks for hire: The Supreme Court recruiting race; Supreme Court clerks are offered bonuses of up to $500,000 to join law firms.” Tobi Raji of The Washington Post has this report.

“Execution (of a Person) is a Misleading Term”: Michael C. Dorf has this post at his blog, “Dorf on Law.”

“The Day I Met John Roberts Changed My Life; How my escape from private practice led to a clerkship with Justice Scalia”: Ed Whelan has this post at his “Confirmation Tales” Substack site.