Senate Confirms Miss. Judge To Appeals Court

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Senate has confirmed Mississippi Supreme Court Justice James Graves to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Graves, who was nominated by President Barack Obama in June, becomes the first black judge from Mississippi to be appointed to the Fifth Circuit court. His nomination had broad support, including from Mississippi's two Republican senators, Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker.

The Senate backed his confirmation unanimously on a voice vote.

The 5th Circuit court is based in New Orleans and has jurisdiction over federal district courts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.