To most Democrats and many Americans, the Bush/Cheney nightmare is over! (rss.cnn.com)

Democrat Al Franken will be declared the winner of Minnesota's race for the US Senate, but the matter is far from over. Franken strengthened his lead in the recount to 225 votes over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.Video: Franken: Senate Victory 'Incredibly Humbling' AssociatedPressFranken wins Minn. seat but lawsuit likely Boston G... (news.google.com)

AP Colt McCoy passed for 414 yards and two touchdowns, the second to Quan Cosby with 16 seconds to play, to carry third-ranked Texas to a 24-21 win over No.'Horns ride real McCoy Chicago TribuneFiesta Bowl winner Texas joins teams with No. 1 dreams Kansas City Star (news.google.com)

Incroyable! The French navy finally notched a victory. The fleet from a country known more for its lightning-quick surrenders than its military successes captured more than a dozen Somali pirates (right) and rescued two threatened cargo ships off... (www.nypost.com)

OFF TO SCHOOL - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, got their daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, ready yesterday for their first day at a new school.Video: Franken: Senate Victory 'Incredibly Humbling' AssociatedPressPOLITICS: Franken’s victory certified Atlanta Journal Constitution (news.google.com)

By BLAIR KERKHOFF Texas receiver Quan Cosby celebrated after the first of his two touchdowns in Monday’s Fiesta Bowl. The why-not-us-as-national-champs festival.Justice: Longhorns show determination in win Houston ChronicleOhio State's QB rotation had its moments Dallas Morning News (news.google.com)

By RICHARD JUSTICE Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle PHOENIX - They played like champions, both of them, punching and counter-punching, each refusing to give in.Texas rallies past Ohio State 24-21 in Fiesta The Associated PressNCAA Game Summary - Ohio State vs. Texas Sports Network (news.google.com)

By BLAIR KERKHOFF MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Maybe this quarterback showdown will live up to the hype. But history says it won’t. Thursday’s BCS national championship game matches the previous two Heisman Trophy winners in Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, ...SEC vs. Big 12: Collision of colossal conferences USA TodayAssistant’s Insight Shapes Record Sea... (news.google.com)

By KIM MURPHY Al Franken, with his wife Frannie, spoke to the media on Monday in Minneapolis after being certified as the winner. Former comedian Al Franken was declared the winner of Minnesota’s long-disputed Senate race Monday, but legal challenges ...Video: Franken: Senate Victory 'Incredibly Humbling' AssociatedPressFranken Win Certif... (news.google.com)

by Michael Arrington on January 5, 2009 One thing that didn’t make a lot of sense about the 33 celebrity Twitter accounts hacked this morning - the messages left on the various accounts weren’t consistent and were clearly written by different people ...Hackers hijack Obama's, Britney's Twitter accounts ComputerworldTwitter's veracit... (news.google.com)

The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing yesterday on a two-year, $16 million contract with Burrell.Burrell Brings Big Bat To Bolster Rays Tampa TribuneRays' resources limited after big signing MLB.com (news.google.com)

The Minnesota State Canvassing Board on Monday certified the results of the recount of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's fight to retain his seat against Democrat Al Franken. The results showed Franken with a 225-vote lead. Coleman's attorney, Tony Trimble, said shortly after the ruling that the campaign will officially file a lawsuit. (feeds.digg.com)

Kenyon Martin had 25 points and Chauncey Billups scored 13 of his 24 points in the final quarter, lifting the Denver Nuggets to a 135-115 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. (www.newsvine.com)

By Chris Cillizza Entertainer-turned-politician Al Franken declared victory in Minnesota's US Senate race yesterday, just hours after a state panel charged with overseeing the recount of nearly 3 million ballots certified that the Democrat had received ...Video: Franken: Senate Victory 'Incredibly Humbling' AssociatedPressDemocrat Is Wi... (news.google.com)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died Monday.Twins owner Carl Pohlad has died, age 93 Minnesota Public RadioPohlad missed by friends in the game Twinsbaseball.com (news.google.com)

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died Monday. He was 93. (feeds.cbsnews.com)

CLEVELAND -- A mix of freezing precipitation will bring icy conditions to the southern counties of the Channel 3 viewing area Tuesday.Winter Weather Advisory Issued in Area MSNBCWinter storm headed to the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record (news.google.com)

By KIRK JOHNSON ST. PAUL - Al Franken, the comedian who became a Democratic pundit and then a politician, won November’s election for the United States Senate by 225 votes out of 2.9 million cast, according to the finally completed recount results ...Video: Franken: Senate Victory 'Incredibly Humbling' AssociatedPressSenate Democrats put ... (news.google.com)

Brian Fisher scored 19 points to lead Winston-Salem to an 85-61 win against Columbia Union College on Monday night. (www.newsvine.com)

Henrik Lundqvist became the fifth NHL goalie to start a career with four 20-win seasons, and the New York Rangers turned their struggling power play into a plus in a 4-0 victory over the slumping Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night. (www.newsvine.com)

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Democrat Al Franken beat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to win the U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, officials conducting a final recount said on Monday, though the loser promised to challenge the result. (feeds.reuters.com)

U.S. Internet users watched 12.7 billion online videos in November, an increase of 34 percent versus year ago, according to ComScore data. (news.cnet.com)

By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a billionaire financier who became best known after purchasing the Twins in 1984, passed away Monday.Longtime Twins owner Carl Pohlad, 93, dies Minneapolis Star TribuneTwins owner Pohlad dies at 93 USA Today (news.google.com)

A recount in the US state of Minnesota confirms its Senate seat was won by a Democrat but the result is still contested. (news.bbc.co.uk)

By NEAL St. ANTHONY, Star Tribune Lets not judge Carl that can be done on another level. Our thoughts are with the family. Due to the sensitive nature of this story, comments will be reviewed before being published.Twins owner Pohlad dies at 93 USA TodayAP source: Twins owner Pohlad dead Seattle Post Intelligencer (news.google.com)

By Dave Campbell, AP MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker who oversaw two World Series titles in a five-year span before his image took a hit by threats to sell, move or fold the franchise without a new ballpark, ...AP source: Twins owner Pohlad dead Seattle Post IntelligencerReport: Twins owner Carl Pohlad dies Biz... (news.google.com)

AP Photo/Adam Rountree, file Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell are celebrating after the "Ugly Betty" actress gave birth to twin girls.Rebecca Romijn Gives Birth to Twin Girls FOXNewsRebecca Romijin and Jerry O’Connell Have Twins TheCelebrityCafe.com (news.google.com)

A baseball official says Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad has died at age 93. (www.newsvine.com)

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during his nearly quarter-century as owner, died Monday. He was 93. (www.newsvine.com)

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died Monday, a baseball official said. He was 93. (www.newsvine.com)

By Dave Campbell, AP Sports Writer MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker who oversaw two World Series titles in a five-year span before his image took a hit by threats to sell, move or fold the franchise without a new ...Report: Twins owner Carl Pohlad dies Bizjournals.comReport: Carl Pohlad dies at 93 KARE (news.google.com)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- Democrat Al Franken declared victory in the hotly contested Minnesota Senate race Monday saying the win is "incredibly humbling.Franken Declared Winner in Minnesota Senate Race ABC NewsFranken on top in Minn. recount; Coleman to sue The Associated Press (news.google.com)

GOP incumbent Norm Coleman expected to file lawsuit; outcome could take weeks. (feedproxy.google.com)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota board has certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, but a legal challenge probably will keep the race in limbo. The Canvassing Board's declaration Monday starts a seven-day clock for Coleman to file a lawsuit protesting the result. If ... (feedproxy.google.com)

House Democrats are changing internal rules to make their committee chairmen more powerful and marginalize Republicans who want to propose alternative legislation, GOP leaders complained Monday. (www.newsvine.com)

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for portions of the Washington region from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.Snow and ice storm likely to hit NH on Wednesday The Union LeaderWinter storm headed to the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record (news.google.com)

AUSTIN - Rep. Joe Straus all but laid claim to the powerful office of House speaker Monday, holding a triumphant news conference in the state capitol and laying out his vision for a new era of bipartisan leadership in the Texas House.New Texas House speaker could be a boon for big cities Dallas Morning NewsTom Craddick drops out of Speaker’s race... (news.google.com)

By KAREN TRAVERS Two months after Minnesota voters went to the polls, Democrat Al Franken has been declared the winner of the US Senate race, but his opponent, Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, is ready to challenge the results in court.Democrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge BloombergMN-Senate: Coleman's Window Closi... (news.google.com)

Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken addresses supporters Democratic election night party while his race with Sen. Norm Coleman was too close to call Nov. 4, 2008 in St.Video: Schumer: Franken Clear Winner, Should Be Seated AssociatedPressDemocrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge Bloomberg (news.google.com)

A Minnesota board on Monday certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state's U.S. Senate recount over Republican ... (rssfeeds.usatoday.com)

Al Franken has unseated the Republican incumbent, Senator Norm Coleman, recount officials said. (www.nytimes.com)

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Democrat Al Franken beat Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to win the US Senate seat from Minnesota, MSNBC and Fox News reported on Monday.Video: Schumer: Franken Clear Winner, Should Be Seated AssociatedPressDemocrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge Bloomberg (news.google.com)

China has cracked down on a global software-counterfeiting syndicate, with 11 'ringleaders' each facing up to six-and-a-half years in jail. (news.zdnet.com)

A judge has ordered an Illinois prison inmate who killed his cellmate — after allegedly warning guards he would harm the man — to pay $13 million to the dead inmate's estate and his mother. (www.newsvine.com)

Author Sebastian Barry and 91-year-old Diana Athill are among five authors shortlisted for the Costa Book of the Year. (news.bbc.co.uk)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell are new parents - times two. A publicist for the "Ugly Betty" actress says twin daughters Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip were born Dec. 28.Rebecca Romijn Gives Birth to Twin Girls FOXNewsRomijn, O’Connell welcome twin girls MSNBC (news.google.com)

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell are new parents — times two. (www.newsvine.com)

The Minnesota state Supreme Court has turned down Sen. Norm Coleman's plea to include 654 rejected absentee ballots in the final vote count in his race against entertainer Al Franken, a major setback for the GOP incumbent who is seeking to make up a ...Video: Schumer: Franken Clear Winner, Should Be Seated AssociatedPressCourt deals Coleman ano... (news.google.com)

As Congress and the incoming Obama administration work out the details of a massive economic stimulus plan, some readers are asking: Where is all this money going to come from? How long can we keep up with all this borrowing? And why should my tax dollars be spent to clean up the mess made by other people’s mistakes? (www.newsvine.com)

Facing the cold is a heated issue in Afghanistan (news.bbc.co.uk)

New York, NY (Sports Network) - After helping the Pittsburgh Steelers post the NFL's top-ranked defense this season, linebacker James Harrison was honored on Monday as the Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year.Steelers' Harrison is AP Defensive Player of Year The Associated PressSteelers' Harrison named NFL's Defensive ... (news.google.com)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson plans to hold a press conference to address questions about his sudden withdrawal of his nomination to be commerce secretary.Video: Mr. Obama Goes To Washington CBSHiccup for Obama: Richardson Abandons Bid for Cabinet Post Amid ... U.S. News & World Report (news.google.com)

AP “Ugly Betty” star Rebecca Romijn gave birth to twin girls, Howard Stern announced on his radio show Monday morning. The newborn girls are the first children for Romijn, 36, and her husband Jerry O’Connell, 34.Double Joy for Romijn, O'Connell Extra TVRebecca Romijn Gives Birth to Twin Girls! OK! Magazine (news.google.com)

This afternoon, the Minnesota state Canvassing Board is set to certify recount results showing Democrat Al Franken with 225 more votes than incumbent Republican Norm Coleman.Video: Schumer: Franken Clear Winner, Should Be Seated AssociatedPressMinn. board expected to announce Al Franken winner The Associated Press (news.google.com)

On his Sirius radio program this morning, Howard Stern broke the news that actress Rebecca Romijn and actor-hubby Jerry O'Connell are now the parents of twins.Double Joy for Romijn, O'Connell Extra TVRebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell Welcome Twins E! Online (news.google.com)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka held nationwide celebrations to commemorate a recent win over Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels even as fighting continued, observers said.Sri Lanka pushes into rebel territory International Herald TribuneSri Lanka troops take another rebel stronghold Xinhua (news.google.com)

by Star-Ledger Staff Yong Kim/Philadelphia Daily NewsDonovan McNabb, with significant help from Brian Westbrook and Asante Samuel, earned the Eagles a trip to the Meadowlands for a playoff meeting with the Giants.Eagles peaking at right time FOXSports.comEagles beat Vikings to win NFC wildcard game Washington Post (news.google.com)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the just-departed chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, declared Sunday that Al Franken has won the Minnesota Senate recount against Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). “With the Minnesota recount complete, it is now clear that Al Franken won the election. The Canvassing Board will meet tomorrow to wrap u... (feeds.digg.com)