From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

A new justice and a new term for a court in transition.

Hello again, I'm Aran Alney, and this is To the Poet from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most. Justice Sonia Sotomoyor adds a new face to the U.S. Supreme Court, but it's

not clear she'll make much of a difference on major decisions. Conservatives still dominate

five to four with Anthony Kennedy the bouncing ball on constitutional questions and precedents.

If Chief Justice Roberts goes ideological, decisions on gun rights, religion, campaign spending,

and executive power could be legal blockbusters.

Is he more likely to guide the court to incremental rulings, less likely to be overridden,

while Congress is controlled by the Democrats?

On reporter's notebook later on, Swine Flu Vaccine, First the News.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation,

the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation,

and the Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation, dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive

life. Information at Gates Foundation.org. Hello again. Wamanalny, back with To the Poet.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor began her first term on the U.S. Supreme Court today. Will the

conservative majority come out swinging this year or sit back to avoid confrontations with Congress?

On reporter's notebook at massive taxpayer expense, the federal government is prepared to vaccinate every American against swine flu.

But surveys show half of Americans may just say no, even for their children.

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