“Christa Pike and the Absurdity of Humane Execution; A witness said that what happened in Tennessee’s death chamber this week was ‘not normal’; Of course it wasn’t”: Doreen St. Félix has this essay online at The New Yorker.

“As Midterms Near, Justice Alito Says He Considers Each Year Whether to Retire; The justice, the second oldest on the court at 76, told CBS News that he decided against stepping down last term; He could face pressure should Democrats win the Senate in November”: Abbie VanSickle of The New York Times has this report.

“How Colorado Became a Springboard for Culture-War Clashes at the Supreme Court; An increasingly progressive state is colliding with a conservative court — and producing new law for the entire nation”: James Romoser of The Wall Street Journal has this report.

“How Would A Judge Butler Actually Affect The Fifth Circuit? I would prefer Judge Southwick to have one vote rather than two votes.” Josh Blackman has this post at “The Volokh Conspiracy.”