Yesterday, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty announced two appointments to the Minnesota Supreme Court: Associate Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea as Chief Justice, and University of Minnesota law professor David Stras as an Associate Justice. Gildea is a former district court judge and prosecutor; Stras clerked for Judges Melvin Brunetti and Michael Luttig, and Justice Clarence Thomas. Both are well-regarded by conservatives, and Stras has a sterling reputation among academics.

I have more on the appointments here.