Winners
Allen County commissioners, Part 1: Rather than name another political veteran to replace senior Judge Tom Ryan on the three-member county ethics panel, the commissioners choose Abraham Schwab – an IPFW prof who teaches ethics. In addition …
Commissioners, Part 2: the commissioners announce that the discount prescription program they initiated with the United Way in 2007 has saved residents $1 million in medicine costs.
Eric Doden: Gov.-elect Mike Pence names the Fort Wayne businessman – and one of three candidates for the GOP nomination for mayor in 2011 – as director of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
China: After propaganda officials censor a newspaper, hundreds of demonstrators protest in favor of press freedom, and some of the nation’s best celebrities lend their support over the Internet.
Tossups
Major League Baseball: The Baseball Writers Association of America rejects performance-enhancing-drug users Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa for the Hall of Fame. The writers reject all the other eligible players, too – including former Detroit Tigers pitching ace Jack Morris, who won more games than any other pitcher in the 1980s, including two during the Tigers’ 1984 World Series victory.
Losers
N.J. Democrat: Stephen Sweeney, president of the New Jersey state Senate, goes on a tirade against Chris Christie, claiming the governor prayed for Hurricane Sandy to hit the state.
Rev. Louie Giglio: The evangelical pastor tapped to give the inauguration benediction backs out after disclosure of anti-gay remarks in a mid-1990s sermon.
Oil sands: Canadian researchers find that production of oil from Alberta’s oil sands – the type of oil that would flow through the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline – has polluted nearby lakes.
Taxpayers: Thanks to Congress’ delay in finalizing the tax law, the IRS says it won’t begin accepting tax returns until Jan. 30. For people who traditionally file early, that could mean refunds will arrive later than usual.
Brent Musburger: While Notre Dame fans suffered through this week’s college football championship game, the ESPN announcer was gushing inappropriately about the good looks of Miss Alabama Katherine Webb, whose boyfriend is Alabama’s quarterback.
Ranchers: Forget cattle rustling – rising prices have made hay a valuable commodity, with sheriffs in Colorado, Kansas and some other states reporting a spike in hay thefts from ranches.
Milestones
Robert Rock: The former Indiana lieutenant governor was elected with Democratic Gov. Roger Branigin in 1964 and served as the mayor of Anderson from 1972 to 1980. He died Wednesday at 85.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller: The West Virginia Democrat announces he won’t seek a sixth term in Congress. He is the great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller.
