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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/US/07/05/gulf.oil.disaster/t1main.jpg caption="Initial results from test runs of a ship billed as the world's largest oil skimming vessel could come back Monday after a weekend of plowing the Gulf of Mexico."]
Skimmer vessel plows Gulf over weekend, test results may be in Monday
(CNN) – Initial results from test runs of a ship billed as the world's largest oil skimming vessel could come back Monday after a weekend spent plowing the seas atop the undersea gusher in the Gulf of Mexico.
The converted cargo ship A Whale spent the weekend attempting to separate crude oil from seawater in a 25-square-mile area north of the ruptured BP oil well at the heart of the disaster. If the test is successful, the massive vessel could play a key role in efforts to clean up the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Initial results from tests are expected Monday, Bob Grantham, spokesman for the company that owns the ship, said.
The ship, which swallows water with oil then separates it, can skim about 21 million gallons of oil a day. That's at least 250 times the amount that modified fishing vessels currently conducting skimming operations have been able to contain, according to Taiwanese company TMT shipping, which owns the vessel.
Meanwhile, BP said Monday that the cost of its response to the Gulf oil disaster now totals approximately $3.12 billion. That includes containment, relief well drilling, grants to Gulf states, claims paid and federal costs, the oil giant said. Read more
Sound off: We want to hear from you this morning. Add your comments to the LIVE Blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
Oil-eating microbes could be effective cleanup for BP spill
(CNN) – We've heard about a lot of solutions to cleaning up the Gulf oil spill, but what about oil-eating microbes? Our John Zarrella takes a look at some microscopic bacteria with a big appetite, but is it big enough? Watch 
Cracking down on illegal immigration
(CNN) – President Obama renewed his push for an immigration overhaul in a speech yesterday, saying we need comprehensive reform, including a way for the millions of people who are now here illegally to become citizens. And the president has some unlikely allies in the immigration reform fight. That includes Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention. He joined us on Friday's American Morning to talk about fighting illegal immigration.
'Top Chef' pledges to use Gulf seafood
(CNN) – Seeing the images of the oil spill may make you wonder if seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat. Well, one of the most famous chefs in the world decided to check it out for himself. He watched how they're testing fish and oysters in the Gulf and he came away with this advice: Eat it. Chef Tom Colicchio of Craft Restaurants and head judge on Bravo's "Top Chef" joined us on Friday's American Morning to explain why he's cooking with and promoting Gulf seafood. Watch
Can Joey Chestnut win Nathan's contest again?
(CNN) – Along with all the fireworks, this weekend brings another storied American tradition – Nathan's famous hot dog-eating contest! For the past three years, one name has dominated the Coney Island event: three-time champ Joey Chestnut. He joined us on Friday's American Morning to talk strategy before this year's contest. Watch
Gut Check: Do female judges rule differently than men?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/02/kagan.oconner.gi.art.jpg caption="Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (L) talks with Elena Kagan May 20, 2009 in Washington, DC."]
By Ronni Berke and Carol Costello, CNN
(CNN) – It was a decidedly feminine moment – as far as Supreme Court nomination hearings go. Senators chuckled when Elena Kagan said she'd have to get her hair done more often if cameras were allowed in the Supreme Court.
It's another reminder that, if confirmed, Kagan would be one of three women currently serving on the high court. Many women legal scholars say they are thrilled the court is becoming more gender-balanced. But it's not entirely clear whether having more women justices will have any real impact on the court's decisions.
Do female judges rule differently than men?
A recent study by State University of New York, Northwestern University, and Washington University researchers found no significant difference in the way female and male judges decided cases, except one: sex discrimination. In those cases, female judges were 10 percent more likely to rule in favor of the victim. The Supreme Court's female touch
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Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
