Justice Souter retiring, Obama to pick successor

JENNIFER LOVEN Associated Press Writers WASHINGTON

The retirement of a veteran Supreme Court justice will give President Barack Obama his first opportunity to fill a vacancy on the highest U.S. tribunal. But the departure of David Souter, part of the court's liberal wing, is unlikely to change the ideological balance of a court that became more conservative during George W. Bush's presidency. The White House has been told that Souter will retire in June, when the court finishes its work for the summer, a source familiar with his plans said Thursday night. The retirement is likely to take effec...