Nina Totenberg

The U.S. Supreme Court started its new term Tuesday short-handed and evenly divided just as it was last spring. That's because the Senate has refused to process President Obama's nominee to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

Starting the term with an eight-justice court means it could remain short-handed, and often deadlocked, on some of the most controversial, and difficult, issues of the day.

An appeals court panel upheld a lower court ruling that barred interference with distribution of federal funds for resettlement. The panel said federal law bans discrimination based on nationality.

"I will retire when it's time," the 83-year-old Supreme Court justice said in an interview with NPR. She also shares wedding advice from her mother-in-law and reads a letter from her late husband.

It's been eight months since Justice Antonin Scalia died unexpectedly, leaving the Supreme Court short-handed and its future up for grabs in the presidential race.

The Supreme Court could play as an issue in the presidential election after the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia left the court short handed.

The new list consists of 10 more possible nominees, including a U.S. senator who has refused to endorse Trump.

The court's refusal to intervene leaves intact a reduction of early voting days that was enacted by Ohio's Republican-controlled Legislature. Ohio Democrats had wanted the "Golden Week" restored.

A straight-ticket option lets voters cast ballots for all the candidates of one party with one mark. Today, the Supreme Court upheld lower court rulings that blocked Michigan's ban on the practice.

The Senate is back for its brief autumn session, but no one expects the majority Republican body to move forward with the confirmation of Merrick Garland, President Obama's pick for the court vacancy.

After the high court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, North Carolina and other states enacted laws that critics said were aimed at making it harder for minorities to vote.

In a 4 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court Wednesday refused an emergency request from North Carolina Republicans to reinstate a controversial voting law.

Ahead of the November election, courts have fairly consistently struck down new voting restrictions, culminating in some big wins for civil rights forces, especially in North Carolina and Texas.

Most Americans will get their first look at Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine on Wednesday night. The Democratic vice presidential candidate's career has focused on racial reconciliation and social justice.

In choosing Pence, who addresses the Republican Convention on Wednesday, as his running mate, Donald Trump has reassured both establishment Republicans and social conservatives.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has expanded on her statement apologizing for her critical comments about Donald Trump. In an interview with NPR, Ginsburg sought to put the controversy behind her.

In an interview with NPR, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reiterated her mea culpa Thursday over her "ill advised" public criticism of Donald Trump.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has apologized for remarks she made about Donald Trump. NPR's Nina Totenberg has the latest.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is calling on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to resign after she slammed him as a "faker."

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Nina Totenberg and Tom Goldstein of SCOTUSblog about all the happenings this past session and the lack of a ninth justice on the court.