WASHINGTON-The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether Arizona's tuition tax credit program violates the separation of church and state.

Arizona provides up to $500 in tax credits for individuals ($1,000 for married couples) for donations to state-approved nonprofit organizations that provide private school scholarship money to families. Essentially, the state is offering a matching tax credit for contributions to tuition.

WASHINGTON-The high court, showing deference to a bereaved father, considered Wednesday whether free speech rights allowed Westboro Baptist Church to protest at a funeral for Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who died in a Humvee accident in Iraq in 2006.

The justices were markedly more aggressive and skeptical toward arguments from Westboro's lawyer than toward the Snyders' attorney during oral arguments Wednesday. Chief Justice John Roberts said the church seemed to be protesting not to participate in public debate but for sheer publicity.

WASHINGTON-When the Supreme Court sits down for its next session in October, it will have a newly robed member: Elena Kagan. The Senate confirmed Kagan Thursday afternoon 63-37, with the support of five Republicans: Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, and Dick Lugar of Indiana. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska was the lone Democrat to oppose her, citing her "lack of a judicial record."

WASHINGTON-Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is now one vote away from confirmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 Tuesday to send her nomination to full Senate, where she could be confirmed as early as next week. Only one Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, cast a vote in favor of moving her forward in the confirmation process.

WASHINGTON-Under a full day of questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan projected confidence and eschewed controversy.

Only 16 months ago, Kagan was in the same seat, at a confirmation hearing to become the U.S. Solicitor General, so she was at ease with senators, eliciting frequent laughter.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., recognizing that Republicans have little sway in preventing her confirmation, stated, "Elections have consequences. Do you agree with that?"

WASHINGTON-The president-sometimes termed "no drama Obama"-has chosen a Supreme Court nominee who has excited little drama herself so far.

U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan, in her first hearing as a nominee to the high court before the Senate Judiciary Committee, wore an unchanging expression of slight discomfort as senators delivered opening remarks. When she had her chance to make her own statement, she kept it sufficiently scripted.

WASHINGTON-Two hours before Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan's hearings began, the man she may replace, Justice John Paul Stevens, issued his final rulings.

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against the Christian Legal Society (CLS), which had argued that it had the right as an official student group to require that voting members and leaders agree to a statement of faith.