Published January 6, 2011

Let us all salute Hubbub’s Andrew Phelps who is currently performing his civic duty and testifying in a criminal case at Middlesex district court in Medford. No, he is not taking the stand in his own defense.
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This day in history: January 6, 2011 – Deval Patrick is sworn in for his second term as Massachusetts governor, the first African-American in the country to serve two terms as governor.

With a nod to the sluggish economy, Patrick’s inauguration will feature few frills. The Globe reports that it will be funded entirely by private firms. Analysts say to expect a pragmatic political agenda for Patrick’s second term.

A federal judge is set to sentence ex-State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson on the eight counts of attempted extortion she pleaded guilty to in June.

In with the new, in with the old: Even as a huge number of new state legislators were sworn in yesterday, both the House and the Senate re-elected their leaders. House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray both plan to tackle politically ambitious projects in the coming months, according to The Globe.

Boston Herald sports columnist Steve Buckley wrote a column coming out to his audience. It’s courageous, enlightening, inspiring and well-written. Congratulations on lifting what I assume was a burden off of your chest, Steve.

Also in sports, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and the Celtics held on to beat the Spurs 105-103 in an electrifying contest. Sports pages are ablaze with speculation that these two teams, the top two in the NBA, will meet in the NBA Finals in June. I’m not so sure.

Free Phelps 2011!