WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate majority leader says if there's a vacancy on the Supreme Court during next year's election cycle, the Republican-controlled Senate would likely confirm a nominee...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has visited the Supreme Court for the ceremonial swearing-in of new Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The president and first lady Melania Trump also met privately with the justices before Thursday's brief courtroom ceremony.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in —again, for the cameras, this time — Monday night at a White House ceremony, but not before President Donald Trump slammed Kavanaugh's opponents for a "campaign of personal destruction."

In a ceremony that could have been a unifying moment for the nation, Trump instead delivered remarks that even he acknowledged began "differently than perhaps any other event of such magnitude."

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. UN REPORT ON GLOBAL WARMING CARRIES WARNING

Preventing an extra single degree of heat could make a life-or-death difference for mankind and Earth's ecosystems in the next few decades, scientists say.

2. WHAT MCCONNELL'S NOW OPEN TO

WASHINGTON (AP) — Picking up the pieces after a contentious nomination battle, the Senate's majority leader said Sunday that the chamber won't be irreparably damaged by the wrenching debate over sexual misconduct that has swirled around new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is signaling that a Republican-controlled Senate would act on President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court in 2020, a presidential election year, should a vacancy arise.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement (all times local):

6:35 p.m.

Various civil rights groups are backing calls from Democratic lawmakers to hold off on a vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's replacement until after the November elections.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal appeals court for the District of Columbia has voted to livestream the audio of all oral arguments, except when classified or sealed material has to be discussed.

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts told a gathering of lawyers and judges on Friday that pop culture references can be the perfect way to make a legal point, but they carry some risk.

Roberts, in Lancaster to address the Judicial Conference of the District of Columbia Circuit, was questioned by Chief Circuit Judge Merrick Garland, whose nomination as President Barack Obama's pick to join Roberts on the court was scuttled last year by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court began its term nine months ago with Merrick Garland nominated to the bench, Hillary Clinton favored to be the next president, and the court poised to be controlled by Democratic appointees for the first time in 50 years.

Things looked very different when the justices wrapped up their work this week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court began its term nine months ago with Merrick Garland nominated to the bench, Hillary Clinton favored to be the next president, and the court poised to be controlled by Democratic appointees for the first time in 50 years.

Things looked very different when the justices wrapped up their work this week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A longtime friend of Judge Merrick Garland tells The Associated Press that Garland is happy in his job and has no interest in leaving the judiciary to head the FBI.

The comment came Tuesday after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he recommended that President Donald Trump nominate the federal appeals court judge for the post.

The friend spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi is praising fellow Republicans for blocking Democrats' ability to filibuster judicial nominations — a move that led to confirmation of Neal Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.

TROY, N.Y. (AP) — The "partisan hostility" surrounding the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch is of concern because it could undermine public confidence in the apolitical nature of the judicial system, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday at a college appearance in upstate New York.

A Senate showdown is at hand over President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, and it could change the Senate and the court for years to come.

Democrats escalated their attacks against Judge Neil Gorsuch ahead of key votes set for Thursday, portraying him as an ally of the powerful and an enemy of the weak. Republicans defended him, accusing Democrats of trying to block Gorsuch out of frustration over Trump's election victory.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Left-leaning voters in North Dakota are grappling with Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp's support of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, with some of them tempering disappointment with an acknowledgement of her looming re-election fight in a conservative state.

Longtime Democrat Willy Kirschner, a Fargo attorney, said he believes Heitkamp is too supportive of Republican policies and her backing of nominee Neil Gorsuch is too much for him to take.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats elevated their attacks against President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Wednesday, portraying him as an ally of the powerful and an enemy of the weak as an explosive showdown loomed on the Senate floor. Republicans defended Judge Neil Gorsuch, accusing Democrats of trying to block him out of frustration over Trump's election victory.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thirteen months after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Senate is finally holding confirmation hearings to fill the vacancy, considering President Donald Trump's choice of Neil Gorsuch for the high court.

The (Colorado Springs) Gazette, Feb. 26, on supporting the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch:

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet has battled loyalty concerns for years. Critics blasted him for voting with President Barack Obama "99 percent of the time," without much regard for whether those decisions best suited Colorado.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch says Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is one of the best judges in the country and will protect religious liberties is he's confirmed to the high court.

Hatch, a Republican, spoke to Utah's state Senate on Wednesday about Gorsuch, a Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge.

The senator says the most important issue to consider in the 2016 presidential election was filling a vacancy on the Supreme Court.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker took more jabs at Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday, calling for her and the U.S. Senate to take a vote on President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.

Walker was joined by fellow Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel at the Capitol news conference that was part of a coordinated 11-state effort organized by the conservative group the Judicial Crisis Network.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In daily visits to Senate offices, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has tried to make clear to Democrats that he's an independent thinker.

It gets downright depressing to see conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats, oiling their guns, sharpening their knives and starting to circle each other in a modern-day version of the legendary gunfight at the OK Corral.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Sen. Susan Collins is going to meet with President Donald Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Collins is scheduled to meet with Judge Neil Gorsuch at 10:15 a.m. Thursday in Washington.

There is a vacancy on the high court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year.