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Now that John Roberts has been confirmed as chief justice of the Supreme Court, attention turns to President Bush's next nominee for the court. It's a choice that's likely to ignite a fierce battle between Republicans and Democrats. Host Melissa Block talks with NPR's Nina Totenberg about Thursday's events and what lies ahead.

Actor James Dean died in a car crash on a rural road in central California 50 years ago this Friday. He was just 24, and even though he had only acted in three movies he was considered a superstar. His death may have served to add to his legend.

Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, there is no clear idea of the death toll. An emergency official said Saturday that earlier fears of as many as 10,000 deaths will likely prove wrong. But the process of collecting, identifying and counting bodies is a slow one.

David Wiegand, a 31-year-old mortgage underwriter from Portland, Ore., is the new national Scrabble champion. He was crowned in Reno, Nev., after winning three out of the five games in the final match against Panupol Sujjayakorn, 21, an economics student from Thailand.

After fatal March shootings at Minnesota's Red Lake High School, most students did not return to class for the rest of the school year. As a new term begins, school officials address security concerns.

New Orleans is an iconic American city, from the French Quarter to Lake Pontchartrain. It has seen war, fire and flood, and it has always been rebuilt.

Commentator Chris Rose has prided himself in staying put when New Orleans was hit by past hurricanes. But Katrina convinced him to pack up his family and head out of town. He wishes he'd taken a map.

On Raul Midon's debut CD, State of Mind, Stevie Wonder shows up to play the harmonica. Midon's voice and music remind many of Wonder. Midon tells Liane Hansen about his influences and aspirations.

The Base Closure and Relocation Commission approves the closure of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The commission is considering hundreds of other Pentagon recommendations, including closing Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

With the nomination of Judge John Roberts as U.S. chief justice likely to be confirmed, the stage is set for what could be a contentious battle over the nominee who takes Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's place. That nominee has a chance to change the direction of the court.