Bush to tap Fielding as top legal counsel
Fred Fielding, formerly the top lawyer in the Reagan administration, will be chosen today by President Bush to be his White House counsel. Fielding, a longtime Washington lawyer, will replace Harriet Miers, Bush's failed Supreme Court nominee and longtime adviser. She submitted her resignation Thursday after six years in the White House, and it will take effect Jan. 31. Fielding served as President Reagan's counsel from 1981 to 1986, where one of his assistants was John Roberts, now the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Van Halen made a "jump" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, along with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five -- the first rap act to be inducted into the hall -- and R.E.M., the Ronettes and Patti Smith. The five acts will be inducted at the annual ceremony March 12 in New York. Van Halen was the 1980s hard rock quartet led by guitarist Eddie Van Halen, outrageous lead vocalist David Lee Roth, and later, rocker Sammy Hagar. . . . The children ofJoe Hardy, the billionaire owner of 84 Lumber, planned an 84th birthday party to remember Saturday: Christina Aguilera sang "Happy Birthday," Bette Midler performed with an orchestra, and Robin Williams was the after-dinner performer. . . .Hilary Swank and her mom came to Hollywood 16 years ago with only $75 in their pockets. On Monday, the two-time Oscar winner was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.