Supreme Court Justice Souter to retire

New York Times: Justice Souter to retire in June

President Obama's anticipated first appointment to the Supreme Court has speculators all aflutter today. Souter, who was appointed by the first President Bush in 1990, became one of the most reliable of the liberal wing justices over time. His retirement, should he formalize the announcement today, will create the first seat for a Democratic president to fill in 15 years.

While the Obama administration has not been notified officially of Justice Souter's plans to retire, there has been some planning on who may be the first Obama appointee. A number of women have been named, including two federal appeals court judges, Diane Pamela Wood and Sonia Sotomayor.

Mr. Obama said during a campaign debate last fall that the selection of a new justice would be “one of the most consequential decisions of the next president.” He said he would look for judges who had a strong judicial record and “who hopefully have a sense of what real-world folks are going through.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House approves bill to deregulate phone service

ARKANSAS: State Supreme Court says torts limits violate Arkansas constitution

FLORIDA: Legislature takes first step to limiting black-market 'pill mills'

GEORGIA: When Souter retires...A look at possible Supreme Court justice candidates

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear warns budget shortfall could be largest ever -- more than $1 billion

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal takes strict anti-tax stance

MISSISSIPPI: Voter ID issue pushed to court by two Mississippi lawmakers

NORTH CAROLINA: Audit shows state health plan problems not reported for months

SOUTH CAROLINA: Deadline passes for key bills

TENNESSEE: Lt. Gov. Ramsey looks to Hispanic community for 'untapped votes'

VIRGINIA: Rep. Virginia Foxx stirs up controversy again
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