First-Year Law Student Fights Intruder For His Laptop: A story from KTAR news reports that a student from Arizona State University, wrestled and fought with an intruder who demanded his laptop. Police said Gabriel Saucedo entered Alex Botsios' apartment through an open window early Thursday morning. When Botsios woke up, Saucedo threatened him with a baseball bat, police said. Botsios was willing to give up his wallet and guitars without a struggle, but not the laptop. Police took Saucedo to the hospital for stitches and then to jail. Botsios had no significant injuries. Happy to still have his laptop containing months of school work, he said he learned to not leave windows open.

NJ School Officals Can Now Search Student's Cars Without A Warrant: Education Writer Diane D'Amico reports that the New Jersey state appellate court ruled that school officials do not need a warrant to search a student's car if it is parked with special permission on school grounds and if they reasonably suspect evidence of illegal activity will be found in the vehicle. The court has said the privacy interests of the student are outweighed by the interest of administrators in maintaining a drug-free environment. In its decision, the appellate court also said that the U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that a school setting lessens the requirements traditionally applied to searches, which has allowed schools to search book bags and lockers.

Jury Considers Death Penalty For Courthouse Killer: An AP story reports that prosecutors are urging jurors to recommend the death sentence for Brian Nichols convicted of killing a judge and three others in an Atlanta courthouse shooting spree. Prosecutor Kellie Hill told jurors Wednesday that Nichols would try to escape again and kill if they sentenced him to life in prison. Nichols had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. However, the same jury last week convicted him of 54 counts including murder. Authorities say Nichols has already been plotting to break out of jail.

Change?: SF Chrontrarian Debra Saunders has this post-election comment on what will not change in Washington.