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Crews work work to replace the Superstorm Sandy destroyed boardwalk in Seaside Heights, N.J., Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Under intense pressure from angry Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner has agreed to a vote this week on aid for Superstorm Sandy recovery. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

House approves $9.7 billion in Hurricane Sandy flood aid

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Two appointed to Michigan resources panel

Two appointed to Michigan resources panel

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

A mural depicting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. The ailing president's health crisis has raised contentious questions ahead of the swearing-in set for Jan. 10, including whether the inauguration could legally be postponed. Officials have raised the possibility that Chavez might not be well enough to take the oath of office, without saying what will happen if he can't. The constitution says that if a president or president-elect dies or is declared unable to continue in office, presidential powers should be held temporarily by the president of the National Assembly and that a new presidential vote should be held within 30 days. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez fighting severe lung infection

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

FILE - In this April 2007, file photo, a shovel prepares to dump a load of coal into a 320-ton truck at the Black Thunder Mine in Wright, Wyo. Lawmakers asked the U.S. Department of Interior on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 to review whether companies are shortchanging federal and state governments out of millions of dollars in royalties on coal exported to foreign markets. A spokesman for Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, a Republican, said state officials there had seen no evidence that companies had failed to pay their proper royalties. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Energy and Environment

Senators ask if coal exports skirt royalties

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Oregon statewide officials take oath, begin new term

Oregon statewide officials take oath, begin new term

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Tow truck complaints shifted to AG’s office

Tow truck complaints shifted to AG’s office

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Georgia lawmakers given over $9k in football tickets

Georgia lawmakers given over $9k in football tickets

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY JAN. 6 - In this July 2011 file photo, an entrance to HemisFair Park in San Antonio, Texas is seen. A bill to allow private development in the park, which currently isn't allowed under state law, will be put before the Texas legislature when it convenes January 8. HemisFair park was originally developed for the 1968 HemisFair, the first officially designated international exposition in the Southwestern United States according the the Texas Handbook Online, and is anchored by the Tower of the Americas. (AP Photo/San Antonio Express-News, Tom Reel, File) RUMBO DE SAN ANTONIO OUT; NO SALES

HemisFair plan needs help from lawmakers

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Chris McManus, the sponsor of Initiative 522, speaks to reporters as he stands next to boxes of signed petitions he dropped off at the state's elections division office on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. The measure would require the labeling of any food and seeds sold in Washington that were produced through genetic engineering. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte)

Washington state proposal would require genetically modified label

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Vice President Joe Biden watches at left as Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., center, shakes hands with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, right, in the House Chamber during the counting of Electoral College votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Biden presided over a Joint Session of Congress Friday as four members of the House and Senate took turns announcing the votes that had been tallied in state capitals last month affirming the re-election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Electoral College count affirms Obama’s win

Associated Press · January 4, 2013 5:00 am

Illinois Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, listens to lawmakers questions during a committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 in Springfield, Ill. Illinois Senate Democrats seeking assault-weapon restrictions planned to split the issue, seeking committee approval of a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips and a separate restriction on semi-automatic guns. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Gay marriage floor vote postponed in Ill. Senate

Associated Press · January 3, 2013 5:00 am

Wisconsin court: Parents can’t sue over Indian nickname

Wisconsin court: Parents can’t sue over Indian nickname

Associated Press · January 3, 2013 5:00 am