Senate vacancy finally filled ending standoff

From the AP:

Palin's state Senate pick ends standoff with Dems
By ANNE SUTTON – 10 hours ago

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A weekslong standoff between Gov. Sarah Palin and Alaska Democrats over a vacant Senate seat has ended with her appointment of former Juneau Mayor Dennis Egan to the job.

The governor's office announced Egan's appointment Sunday afternoon about six hours before the deadline for adjournment of the 2009 legislative session. The 62-year-old Egan was sworn in by Senate President Gary Stevens shortly before the Senate adjourned.