Nancy Pelosi hands overs the gravel

Nancy Pelosi hands over the gravel to the new US House Speaker, John Boehner (R-OH) as today marks the beginning of the 112th Congress.  

Lisa Murkowski certified as Senate winner in Alaska

Lisa Murkowski (R-AL) became the first U.S. candidate since 1954 to win a write in campaign today when the state of Alaska officially certified her as the winner over Joe Miller. After two months of recounts and challenges, Ms. Murkowski can officially return to Washington, DC.

From Reuters:

The state of Alaska certified Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski's victory over Tea Party favorite Joe Miller on Thursday, nearly three months after the incumbent won the race with an unconventional write-in campaign. The certification document was signed in the state capitol in Juneau by Governor Sean Parnell and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell, a spokeswoman for Parnell said. "It's been certified. The governor signed the certificate and the lieutenant governor notarized it," Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said. "From there it gets on a plane tonight with Gail." Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai will carry it personally to the Secretary of the Senate, who must receive it by noon Monday, Leighow said.

Bristol Palin buys house in Arizona

Reuters is reporting that Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, has bought a house in Arizona.

The 20-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin and third-place finisher on "Dancing with the Stars" quietly bought a five-bedroom, 3,900-square-foot home in the Cobblestones Farms neighborhood of Maricopa for $172,000 on December 10.News of the purchase, which only surfaced in the last few days, triggered media speculation over why the Alaska native would relocate to the lower 48 -- including reports she planned to study journalism at Arizona State University in Phoenix.A Palin family spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Bristol's plans for the home, built in 2005 and featuring a three-car garage and landscaped backyard.

ABC's Robert Roberts interviews Sarah Palin

In a rare interview, former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin sat down with Good Morning America host Robin Roberts and discussed a range of topics including her new book, “America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag” and whether she will run for President in 2012.