Front-page newsmakers this year will include Sarah Palin, Justin Bieber, John Boehner, Jesse Eisenberg, Mitt Romney and Eminem -- though not in the same article. Each of those politicians and entertainers, along with dozens of other familiar folks, will be on the public stage during 2011. No one can predict what headlines will say, but we can look at newsworthy events on the new calendar -- starting with the Jan. 5 start of a fresh congressional term in Washington, D.C. Republicans regain control in the House of Representatives, where Rep. John Boehner of Ohio becomes Speaker (the top leadership job). Democrats still control the Senate by 51-47, a smaller majority as a result of November's elections.

Financial issues still are a priority for Congress and President Obama, who welcomed a slightly brighter forecast two weeks ago from government economists. It seems way early to think about the 2012 presidential election, but that's just what potential Republican candidates such as Palin, Romney and incoming Sen. Mario Rubio of Florida are doing already. They and others even will have up to three campaign-style debates this year in California and Florida.

Entertainers also will be in the news, naturally. Directors and actors make an annual pilgrimage to Park City, Utah, this month for the Sundance Film Festival -- a Jan. 20-30 showcase of hot new movies. February brings two big awards shows from L.A. -- the music Grammys on Feb. 13 and the Oscars for films on Feb. 27, hosted by Anne Hathaway and actor James Franco.
Leading contenders for Grammys (see video below) include Eminem (10 nominations) and Lady Gaga (six). Each of them is up for Album of the Year, as are Arcade Fire, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum. Justin Bieber could win the award for Best Newcomer. Academy Award nominations for Oscar statuettes will be announced Jan. 25. Jesse Eisenberg, 27, is among Best Actor contenders for his widely praised role as Facebook genius geek Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. Other prospects include Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter), Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception), Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo).

2011 tech toys: This week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Jan. 6-9) will introduce gee-whiz products such as a touchless iPad interface that lets users operate the Apple tablet with hand gestures, similar to the way Kinect for Xbox 360 uses motion controls.

Economist says: "Our forecast for home sales is stronger than the previous forecast, given our brighter economic growth and labor market outlook. We expect modest increases in home sales." -- Doug Duncan, chief economist of the Federal National Mortgage Agency

Sarah Palin says: "The country is rejecting [the president's] agenda. My vision of America is diametrically opposed to his. He sees America as the problem. I see America as the solution." -- Time magazine interview, December 2010