PBS NewsHour - Supreme Court

Another new investigation by Pro Publica raises serious questions over undisclosed connections between Justice Clarence Thomas and powerful people who have brought cases before the Supreme Court. William Brangham talks to ProPublica's Joshua Kaplan about Thomas' attendance at a Koch Network fundraiser that attracts wealthy, conservative donors. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As political fights across the country become more contentious, key decisions over issues like gerrymandering are finding their way to state Supreme Courts. That's turned once-overlooked questions about who sits on the bench into all-out political battles of their own, including in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Zac Schultz of PBS Wisconsin and Colin Campbell of WUNC join Geoff Bennett to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court blocked a bankruptcy plan for drug maker Purdue Pharma that would have paid out billions of dollars to address the opioid epidemic and shielded the company's owners from legal liability. The Justice Department argued that shielding the Sackler family from all future lawsuits was an abuse of the bankruptcy system. William Brangham discussed the implications with NPR's Brian Mann. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There are new details about the gifts Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has gotten from wealthy businessmen. ProPublica provided the fullest account yet of the gifts and there are far more than previously known. John Yang discussed the story with Brett Murphy, one of the reporters who unearthed these details, and Joel Anderson, host of Slate's "Slow Burn" podcast. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has renewed the debate over legacy admissions. A Boston-based nonprofit filed a complaint alleging Harvard's legacy and donor-based admissions favors white students, and the NAACP called on 1,600 public and private universities across the country to end legacy admissions. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Derrick Johnson. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. Supreme Court ended its term this past week with the six conservative justices again flexing their supermajority to make big changes in law and society. Marcia Coyle, the PBS NewsHour's Supreme Court analyst, joins John Yang to discuss how the new court is shaping up and what its most recent term can tell us about its future. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to cancel more than $400 billion in student loan debt. The decision affects more than 40 million borrowers, but the president insisted that his fight is not over and pledged an alternative relief plan. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel of The Washington Post. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As colleges and universities digest the Supreme Court ruling that effectively ended affirmative action, schools are left to grapple with how to revamp their admission policies to ensure the diversity of their campuses. That will be a challenge and some schools are better prepared for it than others. William Brangham discussed that with Jeff Selingo, author of "Who Gets in and Why?" PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the implications of the Supreme Court's major decisions this week. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to affirmative action in higher education, striking down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The ruling has widespread implications for the future of higher education. Geoff Bennett discussed the decision with NewsHour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The fallout of the Supreme Court's affirmative action decisions will have major implications on colleges and universities across the country. One that knows the impact of ending race-based admissions all too well is the University of Michigan. University President Santa Ono discussed that with Amna Nawaz. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court rejected a legal theory that state legislatures have almost unlimited power to decide the rules for federal elections and draw partisan congressional maps without interference from state courts. Trump allies raised the theory as part of an effort to reverse the 2020 election outcome. Geoff Bennett discussed the ruling with Neal Katyal, who argued the case before the court. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This week marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. It also marks critical days in the current Supreme Court term with major rulings expected on affirmative action, religious and LGBTQ+ rights. This as trust in the court remains low, according to a new PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito took an undisclosed trip with billionaire donors, including hedge fund manager Paul Singer who later had business before the court. Coupled with previous reporting on Justice Thomas and megadonor Harlan Crow, it raises more ethical questions regarding the high court. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Josh Kaplan, one of the reporters who broke the story. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Major decisions expected from the Supreme Court in the coming days could reshape higher education and immigration policy. Geoff Bennett discussed the cases with NewsHour Supreme Court Analyst Marcia Coyle. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on the use of race in college admissions. The case is focusing attention on other practices used in admissions that may need to change, including the children of alumni who often have preference and are often white and affluent. Geoff Bennett discussed legacy applicants with Evan Mandery for our series, Rethinking College. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A new book explores the Supreme Court's growing influence on the country through emergency actions on cases not on the official docket. For the past decade or so, the court has gotten involved in cases concerning big issues, often setting new principles without hearing arguments and without explaining their reasoning. John Yang discussed that with Stephen Vladeck, writer of "Shadow Docket." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There are political battles on the state level this week with a handful of primary races heating up and action on abortion laws. We check in with reporters Colin Campbell of North Carolina, Ryland Barton of Kentucky and Katie Meyer of Pennsylvania to help bring us up to speed. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For the fourth time in a month, a report raises questions about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his rich friends. This time it's money going to Ginni Thomas, the justice's wife. According to the Washington Post, Leonard Leo directed pollster Kellyanne Conway to give Ginni Thomas "another $25k" and bill it to a nonprofit that Leo advised. John Yang discussed the report with Emma Brown. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are spotlighting recent ethics concerns surrounding the highest court in the land. In a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, senators debated how to address concerns involving Supreme Court justices, including whether they should apply ethical guidelines to the court themselves. Amna Nawaz discussed the hearing with University of Virginia law professor Amanda Frost. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders