1. “Groundhog Day: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?”

2. Gobbler's Knob - As the legend goes, if the famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow on Feb. 2 and sees his shadow, we get another six weeks of winter. If he climbs out of that hole and no shadow is cast, we are rewarded with an early spring. Punxsutawney Phil is by far the most famous among these rodents, as his predictions are heard around the country. But how accurate are his forecasts? Since 1988, Phil's predictions have been correct about 46 percent of the time. This year’s prediction is… SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER! But why is a groundhog predicting the weather for us in the first place? A celebration of future weather conditions existed long before groundhogs were involved. Originally, the idea for it sprang from the ancient Christian celebration, Candlemas Day. It fell between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and clergy would bless candles and pass them out to people. Like Groundhog Day, if the day was sunny, people could expect a longer winter. And if the day was cloudy, warm weather was soon to come. Eventually, a hedgehog was brought into the mix, only to be later switched out for a groundhog.
President Trump nominated federal Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, choosing a jurist widely seen by conservatives as a fitting successor to the late Antonin Scalia – and touching off what is sure to be a fierce confirmation battle. Touting his nominee's credentials and legal mind, the president said he was living up to his own vow during the campaign to nominate someone who respects the law and "loves" the Constitution. "Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, and tremendous discipline," Trump said. Gorsuch, 49, has served on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver for ten years. Trump’s choice, if confirmed to the high court, would take the seat that has remained vacant since Justice Scalia died nearly a year ago. The nominee was among Trump’s original list of 21 potential choices circulated during the presidential campaign. “You’ve entrusted me with a most solemn assignment,” Gorsuch said, vowing if confirmed to be a “faithful servant” of the Constitution and the law. Like Scalia, he is an originalist who believes judges should follow the text and original meaning of the Constitution.

3. In Other News
The Senate has approved former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as the next secretary of state, filling one more slot on President Donald Trump's national security team despite questions about his approach to Russia and state sponsors of terror, such as Iran.
President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit Wednesday to Dover Air Force Base for the return of the remains of the US service member killed in the raid in Yemen. Trump went to Dover AFB on Marine One, along with his daughter, Ivanka, and Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware. Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens, a Navy SEAL, died of wounds suffered during a raid Sunday in Yemen against al Qaeda, according to US Central Command.
The 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline is nearly complete, except for a hotly contested section under North Dakota's Lake Oahe that's been the topic of massive protests. But now, the Army is allowing that final section to be built. Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer "has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with the easement needed to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline," Sen. John Hoeven said in a statement Tuesday.