As 2019 draws to a close, we’re looking back at some of the most-read stories about the U.S. Supreme Court this year. There were, of course, many cases and issues that grabbed headlines—justices warring over precedent and the death penalty, the Trump administration’s failed bid to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, and new questions about libel law. But there were also significant developments about the court itself, including clerk-hiring trends, new rules for arguments and briefs, and lingering questions about the dearth of female advocates. The court lost one of its own this year, Justice John Paul Stevens, who was remembered as the “best boss” after his death in July at 99. Here’s a look at some of the most-read Supreme Court reports of 2019.

➤➤  Justices, Blocking Citizenship Question on Census, Call Trump’s Push Contrived The Trump administration’s push to add a citizenship question on the 2020 census hit a roadblock in June, when a divided U.S. Supreme Court partially upheld a ruling in favor of challengers who argue the move will cause a substantial undercount of Hispanics and other minorities and benefit Republicans in election districts across the country. More reading: Roberts, Ruling Against Trump, Faces New Round of Conservatives’ Criticism and These Attorneys Beat Trump’s Census Citizenship Question in Court. DOJ Agreed to Pay Them Millions