The Associated Press is reporting that Maine Gov. Paul LePage told critics Friday to “kiss my butt” over his decision not to attend the state NAACP’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations over the holiday weekend. LePage declined the organization’s invitations to a dinner in Portland on Sunday night and a breakfast in Orono…

ColorLines is reporting that Virginia Republican state Delegate Christopher Peace has again introduced legislation to bar undocumented immigrants from attending college in the state. Peace introduced similar legislation in 2008 that passed the Virginia House but not the Senate. His 2011 attempt will be similar, but this time Peace says the bill is about addressing…

While most of the media attention today has focused on the burial of 9-year-old Tucson massacre victim Christina Taylor Green, Federal District Judge John M. Roll was also buried today. His funeral service was held directly after Green’s funeral. The Washington Post reports that the federal courthouse in Tucson was shut down for five hours…

Michael Steele is officially out as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Steele, who had been under fire in his party for a number of high-profile gaffes throughout the tenure of his office, dropped out of the running for a second term after the fourth round of balloting. Upon learning of the results, Steele bowed…

Politico.com is reporting that Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker is polling well in an early matchup against incumbent Gov. Chris Christie, who has all but ruled out a 2012 presidential bid. Ben Smith writes that Booker is well-liked across party lines. He is most popular with Democrats at a 51-12 favorability, has a 47-17 spread with…

Awards season is officially here. In addition to the BET Honors this weekend, the 2011 Golden Globe Awards will air live on NBC on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m. ET. Halle Berry and Idris Elba both received nods this year. Berry was nominated in the best actress category for her role in the upcoming…

Politics Daily is reporting that Sarah Palin will be interviewed on Fox News on Monday, Jan. 17, which just happens to be MLK Day. Palin will sit down with talk-show host Sean Hannity for an extended segment, undoubtedly to discuss her eight-minute video in response to being criticized for her political rhetoric, which some say…

ESPN is reporting that legendary football player Lawrence Taylor pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in court on Thursday for his May 6 arrest for felony statutory rape. Taylor will be sentenced to six years’ probation and will have to register as a sex offender. He pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting a prostitute and…

A rep for the Dr. Phil show has confirmed that homeless man-turned-MSNBC announcer Ted “Golden Voice” Williams is checking himself into rehab. Williams, who quickly became a YouTube sensation after a video showcasing his voice went viral, admitted on Dr. Phil that he had begun drinking again. Last week, Williams and his daughter Janey were…

Black Voices is reporting that Arizona’s only black Republican official is resigning in the wake of last weekend’s Arizona shooting that killed six people because of “constant verbal attacks,” including being called a boy and having someone form their hand in the shape of a gun and point it at him. “I wasn’t going to…