James Cameron’s science-fiction blockbuster “Avatar” and the searing Iraq War drama “The Hurt Locker” lead the Academy Awards with nine nominations each, including Best Picture.  “Hurt Locker’s Kathryn Bigelow will be competing against her ex-husband Cameron for Best Director. She is only the fourth woman ever to be nominated in the category.

MICHAEL JACKSON’S DOC PLANS TO SURRENDER

Dr. Conrad Murray is back in Los Angeles and plans to surrender this morning in a courtroom in connection with Michael Jackson’s death. The Los Angeles County District Attorney will charge Dr. Murray with involuntary manslaughter this morning before he appears in court. 

Cavs beat Memphis 105-89, nine in a row!!!

Josh Cribbs gets more accolades

Josh Cribbs was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team as a kick returner.  In five seasons, the former Kent State quarterback has returned two punts and a record eight kickoffs for touchdowns. The most recent Browns to make the All-Decade team were Ozzie Newsome and Frank Minnifield for the 1980s.

President Obama’s budget

President Obama’s 2011 budget comes in at more $3.8 trillion. The budget includes new jobs-creation programs and additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it’s projected to add almost $1.3 trillion in deficit spending to this year’s projected $1.6 trillion deficit.

Rip Torn going back to rehab

Rip Torn is heading to rehab after his drunken break into a bank over the weekend. The “Men in Black” actor was arrested Friday night in Salisbury, Connecticut after he broke into a bank with a gun while he was drunk.  His lawyer says Torn was so drunk that he thought the bank was his home and he wasn’t there intending to commit a crime. 

Taylor Swift won the biggest Grammy of the night, album of the year for her CD “Fearless.”  But Beyonce made history, winning SIX Grammys.  She nabbed the most trophies in one night, in the 52-year history of the awards show.

Michael Jackson’s two oldest children took the Grammy stage Sunday night to accept their father’s lifetime achievement award.

Miss Virginia crowned Miss America

Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron, won the 2010 Miss America title Saturday night. She belted out Beyonce’s “Listen” from “Dreamgirls”, and told kids they should get outside more often.

Avatar number 1 at the box office

“Avatar” was the top movie in the U.S. for a seventh straight weekend… and it moved closer to passing “Titanic” for the biggest movie ever in the U.S.  The sci-fi movie took in $30 million over the weekend, lifting its domestic total to $594.5 million.