The Ticker: Rather, Crisis, Mystery…

> Dan Rather’s case against his former employer, CBS Corp., is back before a New York judge at 4pmET. The hearing could result in decisions on several long-pending motions. Meanwhile, both sides are waiting for the Appellate division to rule. There’s also the chance Judge Ira Gammerman could set a trial date for the case which was filed Sept. 19, 2007.

> Tonight, at 9pmET CNBC’s Sue Herera hosts “California in Crisis,” a one-hour special looking at the Golden State’s financial woes, to the tune of a $26B budget shortfall, and how the state plans to lift itself out of troubled times.

> Saturday’s “48 Hours Mystery” was the night’s #1 program in Total Viewers (5.07m). The CBS News broadcast also finished first at 10pm in A25-54 (1.5/05). Saturday’s show featured the story of computer genius Hans Reiser, and his missing Russian bride.