Rowan Wilson Confirmed as First Black Chief Judge of New York's Top Court

Rowan Wilson, a liberal judge on New York's Court of Appeals, was confirmed as the court's first Black chief judge.
Wilson's confirmation comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul's first nominee for the position was rejected by the state Senate.
Wilson is known for dissenting opinions favoring civil rights, labor, and environmental groups over government and business interests.
The confirmation leaves an associate judge vacancy on the court that Hochul intends to fill with Caitlin Halligan, a private lawyer and former state solicitor general.
Republicans have threatened legal challenges over the process that led to Wilson and Halligan's nominations.