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The papers of the late Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, now public, show how the justice's legal opinions on the death penalty changed during his 24-year tenure on the high court. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

President Biden said he's worried about broader threats to issues like marriage equality, while Democratic leaders take aim at conservative justices who they say lied about settled precedent.

Most of the business of the nation's highest court is deadly serious, but members occasionally allow themselves a little levity. As acting chief justice, Blackmun once scheduled square dancing at the Supreme Court building and ordered the court cat to chase Boris, "the rat upstairs." NPR's Nina Totenberg continues her series on the now-public files of the late Justice Harry Blackmun.

Iraq's governing council signs an interim constitution, a key step in U.S. plans to surrender sovereignty on June 30. The law establishes a federated state where Islam is the official religion and women are assured a political role. The signing had been delayed by deadly bombings at Shiite shrines and last-minute objections from Shiite members of the council. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

With the U.S. Senate set to begin debate Monday over the federal budget, congressional Republican leaders are preparing for a showdown with fiscal conservatives. NPR's Libby Lewis reports.

Secretary of State Colin Powell makes a surprise visit to Baghdad on the first anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. At a news conference marking the anniversary, Iraq journalists stage a walkout to protest the lack of security in the country and the killing of two of their colleagues by U.S. troops on Thursday. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

She is the principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in Britain. She was the first woman ever to be named principal conductor of a major British orchestra. Since 1993, Alsop has also been music director of the Colorado Symphony, where her programming won several national awards. She has had guest appearances with many orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Atlanta, Houston, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. She was a protigi of Leonard Bernstein. Her newest recording with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is Bernstein: Chichester Psalms, etc.

President Bush on Friday welcomed foreign diplomats to the White House to commemorate the anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The president said the world was safer with Saddam Hussein deposed, and warned those present that there was no middle ground between "good and evil." NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

For NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, basketball is neither a game nor a business; it's a way of life. Whether on the court or as a Knicks executive, his desire to win has always brought both criticism and success. Thomas talks with NPR's John Ydstie about his concept of the game, his past coaches and rivals, and how he adjusts to today's NBA players.

Florida property insurance is a hot mess. One word: Litigation. In fact, more than 75% of all property insurance lawsuits in the United States originate in Florida.