A day of first(s) for the start of the 110th Congress today in Washington, DC…
-The Democratic Party takes control of both chambers of Congress (the House and the Senate) for the first time in 12 years.
-Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, from California, will become the first female Speaker of the House.
-Also… Representative-Elect Keith Ellison, Democrat from Minnesota will be the first Muslim elected to Congress. Ellison will use a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson during his ceremonial swearing-in later today. (USA Radio Network)
So…why the warm winter?
NO it’s not Global Warming!
Meteorologists say the warm spell is due to a combination of factors:
-El Nino in the Pacific is leading to milder weather, particularly in the Northeast.
-The jet stream is running much farther north…keeping the East Coast warm.
-The two blizzards in the mid west…the exception!
Speaking of the exception…Rescue and aid operations for people and livestock continue in sections of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. (CNN)
The Winston-Salem City Council has post-poned a vote on the proposed downtown ballpark project…after an hour long public hearing last night. The ballpark deal will likely cost the city and tax payers an estimated $29 million dollars over 25 years. The Council will look at the vote January 16. (journalnow.com)
Duke University said yesterday that two of the lacrosse players accused of assaulting an exotic dancer last March have been invited to return back to school and will be eligible to rejoin the Lacrosse team. (USA radio network)
A $2,500 dollar federal reward is being offered for information on who shot and killed a bald eagle in Davidson County. Officers said they believe the that the bald eagle was shot December 27 while it was sitting on a power line in the Churchland community. Killing a bald eagle is a state and federal crime and carries possible fines and prison time for a conviction. (the dispatch)
A local foundation has bought the Billy Graham Evangelical Association's summer camp near Asheville for $5 million dollars. The Peter J. Fontaine Foundation plans to revive the old Cove Camp and reopen it this summer under the name Camp Cedar Cliff. Peter Fontaine says the camp will have a similar focus on evangelism and traditional summer camp activities. About 2,000 kids normally attended Cove Camp over four months in the summer. (AP)
UFO or NOT? In November, a gray, metallic, saucer-like object was spotted hovering above Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. As many as 12 United Airlines employees spotted the object and filed reports with airline. Officials at United say they have no knowledge of the incident, and the FAA is not investigating. (ap)
The CEO of Home Depot Bob Nardelli has resigned. He will not leave empty handed…his severance package is worth close to $210 million dollars. (money watch)
According to state officials…more than 35-hundred North Carolina drivers were charged with driving while impaired violations during a recent Booze It & Lose It campaign that took place over the past month. Governor Easley said more than 116-thousand traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide between December 1 through January 1st. (ncnn)
SPORTS:
-LSU over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl last night…41-14
-Nick Saban will be leaving the Miami Dolphins to become the next head coach at the University of Alabama. Saban, who coached LSU to a national championship in 2003, has accepted an eight-year deal valued at over $30 million dollars. (si.com)
The American Red Cross is in urgent need of donors! All Blood types are need! The Winter Days of Giving Blood Drive is going on through January 5th.
Walk ins are welcomed or you can call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to make an appointment.
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Your WBFJ Family Station Forecast:
Today: Mostly cloudy…High 60
Tonight: Showers late…Low 55
Friday: Rain…High 66
Sneak Peak to the Weekend:
Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds…High near 70
Sunday: Showers likely…High near 60
