Hi, and welcome back to another edition of Bench Report! I’ve returned from the West Coast, where I can report there is way less humidity than there is in D.C. and Seattle has way more hills than I ever knew (my FitBit can confirm). Now that I’m back on the clock, send all your news, tips and feedback to to [email protected], and follow me on Twitter @jacq_thomsen.

The E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse, home of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the building was closed to many, save judges, court staff, members of the media, and people with official business before the court. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM.

Delta Variant Has Some Courts Worried

With more Americans getting vaccinated and COVID-19 cases dropping in some parts of the country, courthouses have been trying to get back to normal. Jury trials resumed, masks were no longer required (for the vaccinated at least) and judges began chipping away at backlogged dockets.