to decide, it would have to go to the united states supreme court. what would happen if that had to happen this year? they deadlock 4-4. then what would happen? the united states supreme court has nine seats. it has not had a yearlong vacancy on that seat since before the civil war. that's what the republicans want to do this year. justice antonin scalia was the longest serving member and he's the highest profile member ever in the supreme court. his death or retirement would be a seismic political event. the fact he died unexpected in office rather than retiring is exceedlingly shocking at a human level but also historically rare. justices just don't die in office that often. in terms of the nature of his death there's been some reports yesterday and today that he had seen a doctor several times recently in the lead up to his death, but no sustained reports that he was in seriously ill health. he was not the oldest justice on the court by a long measure high pressure. he became only the second supreme court justice to die in the last several years. y

. >> a solicitor general of the united states supreme court. ryan owens is here to talk about it. what is the solicitor general? >> the solicitor general is the attorney for the united statess and represents the united states interest in the supreme court and occasionally the court of appeals. it is the central figure in terms of litigating the u.s.' position before the supreme court. >> whether or not that person is an expert in the topic being discussed? it is more of a trail attorney? >> the office of it solicitor general has three layers. we have the u.s. solicitor general at the top and that is a position that is nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate. so they are very good in the legal sense but well connected politically as well. the lower ranks are four deputy solicitor generals and those are folks who are experts in the sure of the area involved and below them you have the staff attorneys. what is unique about the sc's office is cases which they are involved start off with the staff attorneys who are generalist and investigate the case and do research and w

. >> this next discussion of "the solicitor general and the united states supreme court." there's the book cover o your co-author to generate a wisconsin professor ryan owens. professor, what is a solicitor general? >> the solicitor general is the attorney for the united states. he or she represents the nested interests in the supreme court. occasionally in the federal circuit courts of appeals. but is really the central figure in terms of litigating the u.s. position before the supreme court. >> whether or not that perfect as an expert in the topic being discussed or not it's more of a trial attorney type of thing? >> that's a good question. the office of the solicitor general sort of as three layers to it. at the very top we've got the was solicitor general donald really. that's a position that is now made by the president confirmed by the center's list of the people who are very, very good in the legal sense but also well-connected politically. so below then you for deputy solicitors general. and those are folks who are experts in issue area that's above and below the os

supreme court is the culmination of a dream." the longest-serving justice on the current united states supreme court has died. a look at the career of justice antonin scalia. the university of california and deutsche seismic network to track earthquakes - through smartphones. "my-shake" is a free app for android phones. the app uses sensors earthquakes occurring it runs "silently" in the phone. information about recent earthquakes and earthquakes. build a worldwide seismic network. high pressure near the west coast will keep above average temperatures and generally light winds into early next week, stronger gusts in higher elevations on sunday. a fast moving storm will conditions wednesday and winds, rain and mountain snow. && .short term... high pressure aloft will continue to provide light winds for most of the area. however, by sunday afternoon an easterly pressure gradient develops across the sierra as a thermal low deepens in californias central valley. this gradient will create gusty northeast winds in the high elevations of the sierra sunday afternoon/evening, especially for alpine and mono counties ab

supreme court. we have conflicting interpretations, we had the supreme court of the united states to resolve that difference. what happens if there's a four-four vote? we have different rules in the fourth circuit than in the third circuit? that's why we have a supreme court. and for a year plus we're going to say we're not going to allow the full coachment to be there? i'm privileged to serve as the ranking member of the senate on foreign relations and the ranking member and former chair of the hill seekee commission. as i meet with heads of foreign governments and judges overseas, i feel great pride in that america has created independent judges where a neutral fact finder decides the case based on the law and the facts and couldn't be fired for making a decision that offends the government or the politically powerfully. i really do believe the supreme court and federal judiciary are some of the crown jewels ever our american system of government. and the envy of the world. and that is why i am so disgusted and disappointed today with the majority's attempt to advocate the responsibilities as senators. an

from the united states supreme court. veteran conservative justice antonin scalia has died. the 79-year-old was found dead in his hotel room in texas during a hunting trip. right over to katie brace in the satellite center with all the breaking details. >> reporter: and ken justice scalia was not feeling well before he went to bed last night. that according to cnn. he died of natural causes and the u.s. marshals is investigating this. the -- justice scalia was the longest serving member of the current united states supreme court. he was the stun chest conservative justice of the current court and his ideology was to interpret the constitution as the original authors intended. now scalia does have ties to this area and he went to harvard law school. we just got this many. chef -- in. chief justice said he was an extraordinary individual and jurist and admired and treasured by his colleagues. his passing a great loss to the court can the country he loyally served. now the death of scalia means president obama will pick his replacement. which could change the balance of the cou

interested in scalia's seat and said she is focused on her senate run. >> the work of the united states supreme court made a difference on whether i'd be standing here as attorney general of california or not. it was the united states supreme court that made the decision on brown v. board of education. >> she says she is hoping to replace senator barbara boxer this november. >> it's hard to explain. come in to get something that gets you to temperatures below the temperatures of the moon. >> cryio therapy is exploding in popularity. does this new health therapy work? >> a bizarre attack on the golden gate bridge. >> and what doctors say about this young colt. >> pollen is way up in the bay area. we are tracking a storm system moving closer right now. we'll have details on how much rain fall is coming out of there th. that's coming up in about six minutes. for valentine t >>> no surgery, just rehab. it's the best possible news valentine, the rescued foal. they found he has a fracture in his hip, which will need four to six months of therapy. >> that's fantastic for him. this is about him. the fact tha

i want an up-close look at the next member of the united states supreme court. mr. president, this is exactly what i'm talking about.

court of final decision, is whatever that decision is. >> well, sure. now, if you're talking about and understanding that everybody waits until the united states supreme court issues a definitive ruling on this subject, that's not what they have been saying. i would be very interested to hear that. but apple certainly will await a decision from the united states supreme court, provided that the iphone is not broken and damaged and accessed in the meantime. >> rose: under no circumstances -- are there no circumstances in which apple would allow, no matter what protection is given to them, no circumstances in which apple will allow its so much to enter this phone on national security grounds, not one single exception? >> charlie, i can't imagine all of the exceptions that you might have in your mind or how the justice department -- but, remember this, they're asking apple, a private company, to redesign their system. if they were to ask you, charlie, redesign your program or redesign the cameras that you use in your business so we can listen in to somebody, put your talents to work, put your energy to work to re-create a system so that the government will hav

scalia was the longest serving justice on the current united states supreme court. nominated by president ronald reagan in 1986. >> getting nominated to the united states supreme court is course. i'm greatly honored that the president would have such confidence in me. >> reporter: he was confirmed unanimously by the senate. and became the first italian american on the court. fiercely at odds with what conservatives call judicial activism. >> the shear force of his personality, he for three decades, led the conservative movement in american law to roll back the era of liberal activism. >> reporter: scalia nicknamed nino was highly known for his elegant writing and his caustic wit. extraordinary individual and jurist, admired by his colleagues. president obama expressed his condolences. >> influenced a generation of judges, lawyers and students, and profoundly shaped the legal landscape. >> reporter: he leaves behind a he was 79. and with scalia's passing, there is already political jockeying here in washington. some gop leaders, including mitch mc connel saying that p

supreme court considers, or the last court of final decision is, what their decision is. ted: sure. if you are talking about and understanding that everybody waits until the unitedtates a -- supreme court issues a definitive ruling, that is not what they have been saying, i would be interested to hear that, but apple certainly will await the decision from the united states supreme court provided that the iphone is not broken and damaged and accessed in the meantime. charlie: are there no circumstances in which apple would allow, no matter what protections given to them, no circumstances in which apple will allow itself to enter this phone on national security grounds? not one signal exception? -- one single exception. ted: i cannot imagine all of the exceptions you might have in your mind, but rather this. but remember this. they are asking apple, a private company, to redesign their system. if they told you to redesign your program or the cameras that you use so we can listen in to somebody, put your talent and energy to work to re-create a system so that the government will have access to what you do, you would be stunned by the. this is unprecedented. the gov

supreme court vacancy. >> the work of the united states supreme court made a difference on whether i'd be standing here as attorney general of california or not. because it was the united states supreme court that made the decision on brown v. board of education that allowed me to be the second class to integrate berkeley public schools. >> there are a lot of layers to the story. our coverage continues on "nightly news." we'll hear more from president obama and what he wants in scalia's successor. >>> plus the latest on the investigation into his death. lester holt joins us at 5:30. >>> a solemn tribute for a slain richmond police officer. today an honor guard procession as police escorted officer gus vegas' body from the solano county coroner's office to a mortuary in vallejo. he was shot and killed in his home last week. the father of his grandson, robert vega, is accused of the murder. veg aas was a 15-year veteran o the police force. he will be honored friday morning in richmond. >>> tears in a south bay courtroom as a family watched the man accused of killing their loved one face a judge. steve lebo

since the senate judiciary committee started holding hearings on supreme court nominees a century ago, the senate of the united states of america has never -- never -- denied a hearing to pending supreme court nominees. it has never happened. but that's what senate republicans are saying that they will do. this level of obstruction, of ignoring the clear language of the constitution is unpreceden unprecedented, and it is dangerous. this goes beyond any single vote for any supreme court nominee. this is an abdication of the senate's responsibility under article 2, section 2, of the constitution to provide advice and consent on supreme court nominations, which the president shall appoint, shall nominate. senate republicans want to keep the supreme court vacant for more than one year. they want this vacancy to continue for more than one year. that will encompass two terms of the supreme court. this is demeaning to the institution of the supreme court, unfair to millions of americans who rely on that court to resolve important legal questions. in the coming days, the president will name a nominee, as the constitut

breaking news out of texas - united states supreme court justice antonin scalia has died. nbc news confirms the 79-year-old justice was found dead at a luxury ranch in west texas after a hunting trip. no foul play is suspected. scalia was appointed by president ronald reagan in 1986. over the past 29 years he his conservative opinions and for his blunt dissents. we are working to get more information. you can newscast for the very the lastest round of winter weather - is bringing the coldest temperatures we've seen in nearly a year. thanks for joining us - i'm deanna leblanc. some areas will see temperatures in the single digits over night. even though it's very cold - it has been a sunny day across our area. here's a live look from towercam 10 over downtown norfolk meteorologist ashley baylor is in the super doppler weather center to let us what we're in for and when those temperatures will eventually warm up. tonight: mainly clear and bitterly cold! lows: mid teens. winds: nw 10-15 mph. wind chills: single digits. sunday: mostly sunny. increasing clouds late. cold! highs

. >> ted cruz, with your brother, wanted john roberts to be on the united states supreme court. they both pushed him. he twice approved obamacare. >> marco rubio also having his say on the supreme court issue on a night he hopes to put that new hampshire debate performance behind him. cnn's phil mattingly on rubio's efforts to regain his campaign mojo. >> reporter: good morning. marco rubio one of the only candidates on the trail here on sunday after the rousing debate that was equal brawl and exchange of ideas. rubio's team thinks he did well in the debate after the new hampshire fifth place finish after a poor debate performance. the campaign trail issue on sunday is who will be the next supreme court justice and who will get that pick? here's what rubio said in south carolina. >> there is no way the senate should confirm anyone that barack obama tries to appoint his last year in office to a lifetime appointment. the next president of the united states will fill that vacancy in a court that is divided 4-4. four people understand their job. four people do not. we're missing one

advice andre is consent and nominee cannot become a member of the united states supreme court unless he united states senate is convinced they are the right person for the job. i think that is where a lot of folks are saying, isn't that amount of when the president? sent somebody up and you just approve the and -- you just approve? no. is there is a vetting process in here as well, and in a lot of cases, the vetting process determined to the president might nominate and who he might not nominee. that is not something you take lightly to begin with if you are the chief executive officer. as a governor, i know that when i would nominate individuals for positions that had to be approved, you do a vetting process beforehand. once you have done that, the next step is to literally go in and show the members of the senate that the choice you made, the correct choice, and it is one for a lifetime appointment the right person. remember, we are replacing justice scalia. i truly believe he is the gold standard when we talk about individuals that understood about how the sickly interpret the cons

goals that i want to accomplish the united states, is overturning this disastrous citizens united supreme court decision. democracy does not mean that able to buy elections. >> dickerson: cnn has a piece this week that clinton campaign is passing around that talks about the fundraising did you for the democratic senatorial e. and that you in raising money and helping them to raise money from some of these people in the financial world are basically contributing to the same system that you are now beating up. the clinton people are talking about? >> dickerson: cnn was. >> well, cnn is wrong. participated in any of these fundraisers? >> i went to events, did i go money, absolutely not. what i did do, absolutely did not want to see the republicans states senate i wrote letters to a whole lot oftters that went out to -- i'm guessing millions of people through democratic senate committee that raised millions of dollars for the democratic. one end i'm criticized because i'm not strong enough and then raising money for theittee to make sure they regain control of the senate. but no, i do not go and ra

the leading conservative voice on the united states supreme court is now silent, has passed away. judge antonin scalia dying at the age of 79. he passed away in his sleep of natural causes during a hunting trip at a ranch in texas. he was appointed by president ronald reagan back in 1986. he was the first italian-american to serve on the nation's highest court. he was confirmed unanimously by the senate 98-0. this evening as darkness fell, the flag outside the supreme court was lowered and raised the half staff in honor of justice scalia. the white house this evening saying that president obama was informed and that the president and first lady extend their deepest condolences to justice scalia's family. the president will indeed nominate someone to succeed scalia on the high court, that coming directly from our jake tapper. again, the president will nominate someone to take the place of antonin scalia if confirmed by the senate. cnn chief washington correspondent joe johns has more on the life and legacy of justice scalia. >> i antonin scalia do solemnly swear. >> the first itali

if it were not for ted cruz, he is the one that got justice roberts on to be united eight supreme court. -- united states supreme court. have been rejected. his vote got it over the top. ted cruz did that. ted cruz: it is no surprise that donald is throwing another temper tantrum. it seems his reaction to everything is to engage in insults and i understand that donald finds it hard to lose. he finds it very difficult for him. at the end of the day, the iowa people spoke. eric: the republican party also saw two candidates drop out on wednesday meeting only nine remain. rick santorum officially ended his campaign and immediately endorsed marco rubio saying he is a born leader. rand paul ended his run for office as well but it is not clear who he is backing. the remaining candidates will also debate again before the primary coming saturday at 7:00 in manchester, new hampshire. you can watch that on abc. week. our political reporter cynthia voter be there on the ground in hatcher. follow her on twitter and facebook for a behind-the-scenes look. elizabeth: social media and hiring. the bigges

major priorities of the sanders administration will be to overturn this disastrous citizens united supreme court decision. [applause] senator sanders: our campaign talks about the need to reform a corrupt campaign finance system. we talk about the need to end a rigged economy and create an economy that works for all of us, not just the 1%.

and: united states supreme court justice antonin scalia has died. the body was found at a luxury resort in texas. scalia was the longest-serving justice on the supreme court. he was appointed by ronald reagan in 1986. we will have new information as it comes in. here are the stories happening right now the search continues for the driver who hit a teenager in lowell. that 15-year-old boy was riding his bike at the time. police say the victim was intentionally struck. they do have the truck involved. reid: the six remaining gop presidential candidates are getting ready for another debate. this one tonight in south carolina. it was just announced that former president george w bush will campaign for his brother, jeb, in north charleston on monday. pam: three people are dead tonight after a multiple car pileup in pennsylvania. more than 50 cars involved in this crash on interstate 78 this morning. reid: we want to show you some up, as we brace for dangerously cold conditions tonight. and a morning tomorrow. so just stay in bed. mike: if you are bundled

we need to overturn the citizens united supreme court ruling. we need a system of small donor public campaigns. >> that allowed businesses to be thought of as people with their own democratic voice. >> it gave corporation the same free speech rights as individuals, forgetting the fact that they have billions at their disposal when most ordinary citizens have nothing at all to spend on politics. >> go on with your list. >> we need to close the resolving door where members of congress cash in on their influence and become lobbyists. we need to modernize voting for the present day so no one is prevented from going to the polls. there is a whole menu of reforms. >> even when he we have candidates like bernie sanders saying the system is corrupt, that it's kind of pointless, because even if they were to become president, there's an entire system against them. is there any point in voting at all? >> when we cease to vote, we give up our power and may as well sit home and watch our country go down. what we must demand as voters is that the candidates c

through this whole supreme court nomination process and how much he is influenced by the venom that has been spewed at him by conservatives who were excited about his appointment to the unitedtates supreme court, but now disappointed in his interpretation of the constitution, which they say they're in support of, with respect to obamacare, and whether that influences his behavior, both as chief justice of the united states supreme court and what his decision-making process is. i don't know the answer to that question, but there's a lot of venom. they think they can influence him by their public attacks on him. >> you know, again, george, i'm gonna come back to you, because you've watched a lot of administrations. people always talk about public corruption and wanting to change it. if you could get one thing, if we could do one thing, what would it be? >> you know, people who are dishonest are gonna be dishonest. i don't care who the mayor is, what michael nutter did, what mayor nutter did focusing on it, building the infrastructure in place to really root it out. that's the best you can do, is respond to it and respond to it quickly. but we also need to be focused on, and i

major priorities of the sanders administration will be to overturn this disastrous citizens united supreme court decision. [applause] senator sanders: our campaign talks about the need to reform a corrupt campaign finance system. we talk about the need to end a rigged economy and create an economy that works for all of us, not just the 1%. we talk about a broken criminal justice system, a criminal justice system in which we have more people in jail than any other country on earth, largely black and latino. --and native senator sanders: and native americans. [applause] senator sanders: let me tell you briefly a story, the kind of encapsulates everything we talk about in this campaign. what a rigged economy and corrupt campaign finance system and a broken criminal justice system is about. some may have read in the last few weeks large wall street financial institutions like goldman sachs have reached a settlement with united states government. in the case of goldman sachs, it was for $5 billion. other banks have reached larger settlements with the government. obviously the reason they are , reachi

harris does say she has great respect for the supreme court. >> the work of the united states supremert made the difference whether i'd be standing here as attorney general of california or not, because it was the united states supreme court that made the decision on brown v. board of education that allowed me to be the second class to integrate berkeley public schools. >>> and kamala harris hoping to replace barbara boxer this november. >>> overnight, apple's strong rebuke to a judge's order to unlock a terrorist cell phone. coming up. >>> stephanie live in berkeley while three teens are shot in a car in a residential area. the shooter or shooters still on the run. what we just learned from police. >>> the return of the rain. looks beautiful outside now. wet weather and strong wind making its way toward the bay area as we speak. the full timeline right now on today in the bay. >>> good morning. dust off the umbrellas and raincoats. thank you for joining us this wednesday. i'm sam brock. >> or let the rain do that for you. i'm laura garcia canon. >> we start out with mild temperatures

the court case that the united states supreme court took on that was really designed to end racial bias in the death pen-- to end the death penalty because of the evidence of race was all about race of the victim. the baldus study in 1987 established that in georgia you're 11 times more likely to get the death penalty if the victim is white than if the victim is black. 22 times more likely to get the death penalty if the defendant is black and the victim is white. and these data could not be contradicted. and the united states supreme court didn't quibble with the data. they didn't say, "we don't believe you." they simply held that the death penalty is constitutional because of two reasons. one, if we deal with racial bias in the administration of the death penalty, it's gonna be just a matter of time before we start having to hear complaints about racial bias in other forms of the criminal justice system. and justice brennan in his dissent ridiculed the court for its quote "fear of too much justice." and he was right. the second thing was the thing that i think ought to haunt us, all o