U.S. Supreme Court begins new term Monday

Many cases involving the authority of state governments are on the docket, including:

• Bartlett v. Strickland: A racially charged dispute over legislative redistricting in North Carolina.

• Ysursa v. Pocatello Ed. Assoc.: A 1st A. case that tests whether Idaho can force local govts' to limit employees’ political activities.

• Kansas v. Colorado: Ongoing feud between Colorado and Kansas over Arkansas River water rights.

• Pleasant Grove City v. Summum: A clash between religion and government in Utah. The court will decide whether Pleasant Grove City, Utah, can bar a little-known religious group, the Summum, from displaying a monument in a public park where a display of the Ten Commandments already exists.