Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of an appointed officeholder who refuses to leave his seat even though his term has expired; A meeting between the top diplomats of Ukraine and Russia ended with no progress on bringing the catastrophic war to an end; The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the appointments of five federal district court nominees, and more.

National

Five approved but Central District of California nominee caught in committee split

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the appointments Thursday of five federal district court nominees, with one nominee stuck in limbo over her record as a public defender.

Judge Kenly Kiya Kato testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1, 2022. (Screenshot via Courthouse News)

Katy Perry’s copyright win over ‘Dark Horse’ survives Ninth Circuit challenge

Pop star Katy Perry beat the Ninth Circuit appeal of Christian rapper Flame who claimed Perry's 2013 hit "Dark Horse" was a ripoff of his song "Joyful Noise."

Pop star Katy Perry is pictured. (Joella Marano via Wikipedia)

Regional

Wisconsin justices wrangle with case of appointed official refusing to leave his seat

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in the case of an appointed officeholder who refuses to leave his seat even though his term has expired, a decision in which could have lasting effects on environmental policy in the state and the extent of the governor’s appointment powers.

Justices and attorneys prepare for arguments in the Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing room in Madison on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in the case of a conservative member of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board who, though his term has expired, refuses to leave his post so his replacement chosen by the Democratic governor can take over. (Screenshot via Courthouse News)

Searching for old-time public access in high-tech courts

A Courthouse News bureau chief found just one fossil remnant of traditional press access in a tour of Florida. A First Amendment lawsuit followed.

Nevada redistricting maps OK’d for 2022 election as gerrymandering suit advances

A Nevada judge ruled Wednesday that the state’s new congressional and legislative maps will remain in place for the 2022 midterms while claims of partisan gerrymandering move through the courts.

A map of Nevada's congressional district as drawn by the Legislature and approved by the governor in November 2021.

Marathon trial on funding for Pennsylvania schools reaches zenith

Following 40 days of arguments, 41 witnesses, more than 1,100 admitted exhibits and more than 14,600 pages of trial testimony, trial summations began Thursday in a fight to reallocate billions of state dollars for education.

More than 100 people gathered outside of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg on Friday, November 12, 2021, to celebrate the beginning of a court case fighting the way Pennsylvania schools are funded. (Alexandra Jones/Courthouse News Service)

International

Ukraine-Russia peace talks go nowhere, civilians flee war zone

Peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow on Thursday ended with neither side budging in a war that seems set to escalate further as Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes on with his invasion of Ukraine despite suffering heavy losses on the battlefield.

Destroyed Russian tanks are seen on a main road after battles near Brovary, Ukraine, north of Kyiv, on Thursday, March 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In reversal, tribunal convicts Hezbollah members of killing Lebanese prime minister

An appeals chamber in The Hague found two Hezbollah members guilty Thursday of the 2005 assassination that killed Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, center, speaks to people outside the Lebanese Parliament minutes before an explosion killed him and 22 others in Beirut in 2005. (AP Photo, File)

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