Eat it: Fallout at the University of Louisville over the mandatory student meal plan being forced on students was the genesis of a nice piece in the student newspaper, The Cardinal, on how other students across North American universities are facing the same issue. Meanwhile, the U of L students’ opposition to the food plan is growing.

Patrick’s U of L: More bad press for U of L. The war of words between Patrick Henry Hughes and the U of L Athletics Department continues. WLKY reported that U of L officials said Hughes had rescinded his previous statements about boycotting the school’s new pep band. Not so says Patrick’s dad. Looking back, hasn’t 2008 been the worst PR year for the university?

To the wire: With 57 seats in the Democrats column already, the three remaining Senate races in Alaska, Minnesota and Georgia are all dead heats. In the wilderness of Alaska, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, who was convicted of a felony last month, was up by 3,200 votes Wednesday morning. Late last night when the rest of the country was sleeping election officials were still counting. Now the longest serving Senate Republican is behind by more than 800 votes to Democrat Mark Begich, the two-term mayor of Anchorage. Maybe the Democrats can reach that magic filibuster proof 60-seat margin after all.

When Joe met Dick: Much more low-key than the earlier meeting between Bush and Obama is the same meeting between their second in commands. Today Vice President Dick Cheney is hosting his successor, Vice President-elect Joe Biden. We’re crossing our fingers for some off-script fireworks.

Palin TV: Could someone please tell Gov. Sarah Palin the campaign is over. You lost! Don’t you have a state to run?

All eyes on Obama: After eight years of criticizing a president, there might be a small patriotic soft spot in the media to spare the new one, at least until the inauguration. Mr. Hope is easy to love. However, sparing him criticism would serve absolutely no one in these troubling times.  Here’s a few early pieces on Obama that take him to task on foreign affairs, namely the President-elect’s plans to expand the U.S. role in Afghanistan and the possible creation of a “national security courts” as a remedy to closing GITMO.