Breaking news: Sandra Day O'Connor just announced her retirement!

Here's the news story so far at msnbc. According to my mother on the phone yesterday, who was telling me about these rumors floating around in Washington, O'Connor's husband is not well and they want to move back to Arizona.

Here's the text from SCOTUS, quoting O'Connor's letter to Bush:

Dear President Bush:

This is to inform you of my decision to retire from my position as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States effective upon the nomination and confirmation of my successor. It has been a great privilege, indeed, to have served as a member of the Court for 24 Terms. I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the Court and its role under our Constitution’s structure.

Sincerely,

Sandra Day O’Connor

It's going to be an interesting summer, that's for sure!