As we head into the first full week of 2008 (with some mild weather), here are some stories and posts that caught my eye:

• The biggest story this morning is oral argument in Baze v. Rees. Audio of the oral argument will be available on the SCOTUS website later this morning.
• Also making headlines this past week was SCOTUS’ granting of cert in Kennedy – the capital punishment for non-murder case.
• Kevin at Lexblog writes about this NYTimes piece on the legal profession’s “fall from grace”.
• Concurring Opinions brings us the story of the Chicago restaurant whose wings are so hot, they require customers to sign releases.
• Exoneree #211 (or is it 212?)
• Dahlia Lithwick at Slate runs down the Bush administration’s dumbest legal arguments of the year.
• Ken at CrimLaw discovers that banishment is legal in Virginia.
• Speaking of Ken, you absolutely must watch his new feature: CrimLaw TV. Ken has always been ahead of other crim law blogs in the technology department and now he’s done something that has been missing thus far: a vidcast. Here‘s the latest episode.
• Finally, a story from around these parts: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Connecticut Turnpike.

Have a wonderful day!