Published May 4, 2011

A deluge of important news is about to come down the pipe.

State lawmakers will open hearings on casino gambling today, reigniting a contentious debate that dominated the end of the last legislative session. Still, it’s a different economic world since casinos were last debated on the state House floor.

The Governor’s Council is expected to vote today in Judge Barbara Lenk’s SJC confirmation hearings. Currently an appeals court judge, Lenk would be the first openly gay justice on the Supreme Judicial Court.

Jury selection has been completed for the corruption trial of former House Speaker Sal DiMasi. The trial starts tomorrow and is expected to last about six weeks.

It doesn’t look like DNA that originated in Boston was used to help identify the remains of Osama bin Laden, contrary to a Monday ABC News report. ABC reported that bin Laden’s sister died in Boston and some of her brain tissue was used in identification. Instead, the New York Times reports that U.S. authorities probably used DNA from one of bin Laden’s parents or children. CommonHealth was all over this controversy from the start.

The Celtics sit in a two game hole after another playoff loss to the Miami Heat last night. It’s not quite panic time, but it doesn’t look good for the men in green.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on a bill filed by Rep. Barney Frank limiting the powers of regional Federal Reserve banks, possible nurses strikes in Boston and Worcester and a huge fire in a North End building.