House votes to impeach Blagojevich  —  Posted by Ray Long and Rick Pearson a 10:25 a.m.; last updated at 10:40 a.m.; (for the live blog, scroll down)  —  SPRINGFIELD—In a historic vote, the Illinois House has impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, directing the Senate to put the state's 40th chief executive …

The Obama Gap  —  “I don't believe it's too late to change course, but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as possible.  If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years.”  —  So declared President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday, explaining why the nation needs …

Unemployment Hits 7.2%, a 16-Year High  —  With the recession in full swing, the nation's employers shed 524,000 jobs in December, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promised more big losses in the months ahead.  December's job losses brought the total for 2008 …

Peggy Noonan Suddenly Decides That Hero-Worshipping Presidents Is “Un-American”  —  How can you tell a Democrat is about to move into the White House?  When Nooners writes something like this: … Yep, presidents are just ordinary, regular schmoes who we hire and fire every 4 years.

The Chief Justice on the Spot  —  A CASE sitting quietly in the Supreme Court's in-basket promises to tell us more than almost any other about John G. Roberts Jr. and his evolution from spear carrier in the Reagan revolution to chief justice of the United States — and in the process set …

Second TVA spill reported in Alabama  —  TVA is investigating a leak from a gypsum pond at its Widows Creek coal-burning power plant in northeastern Alabama, a spokesman said at about 10:45 a.m. Central Time.  —  The leak, discovered before 6 a.m. has been stopped, according to John Moulton, with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Obama's Mother-in-Law to Move Into the White House  —  (Photo: Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)  —  It's official: Marian Robinson, the 71-year-old mother-in-law of President-elect Barack Obama, will be moving into the White House, transition officials said on Friday.

Iran's Hottest Porn Video  —  The Farewell Chronicles: Survivors of the Bush Presidency Speak Out  —  Blogs and Stories  —  A hidden camera catches an Iranian cleric committing adultery, and the video rockets around the blogosphere, where a new generation can finally skirt state censorship.

POLL: Coleman should concede  —  An exclusive Survey USA poll shows nearly half of Minnesotans surveyed say its time for Republican Norm Coleman to concede the U.S. Senate race to Democrat Al Franken.  —  But the survey does not hold good news for Franken either.

Blackburn says foreclosure notice on Brentwood home bank's mistake  —  A foreclosure notice published Thursday on 7th District Congressman Marsha Blackburn's Murray Lane home in Brentwood was the result of her bank's failure to make automatic payments to Countrywide Home Loans, according to her staff.

Shuster vs. Palin Interviewer on MSNBC  —  When “Media Malpractice” filmmaker John Ziegler appeared on MSNBC to discuss the YouTube clips released yesterday of his interview with Gov. Sarah Palin, some fireworks could be expected.  The interview did not disappoint.

Al Sharpton Filling Liberal Seat on ‘Hannity’ Premiere  —  Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.) will fill the seat on the right  —  The new Alan Colmes-less Hannity premieres Monday with frequent Fox News guest Al Sharpton filling the liberal seat on Sean Hannity's newly christened “Great American Panel.”

Endgame in Gaza  —  Israel's leaders have purposely obscured their war aims in Gaza.  But there are only two possible endgames: (A) a Lebanon-like cessation of hostilities to be supervised by international observers, or (B) the disintegration of Hamas rule in Gaza.

AN IMPORTANT CAUTION  —  From TPM Reader LG ...  I think we're in a genuine crisis.  One that is immediate and an overlapping one that is going to stretch far into the future.  But we all, and I don't exclude myself, must be ever wary of the way our own egos and excessive regard …

Al Franken stole the election?  Prove it or shut up  —  The recount shows that he won the Minnesota Senate race.  The lying liars who say otherwise have no evidence of cheating.  —  Al Franken speaks to reporters outside his home in Minneapolis Monday after being declared the winner over incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman.