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FILE - This Feb. 18, 2005 file photo shows the original Emancipation Proclamation on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington. As New Year's Day approached 150 years ago, all eyes were on President Abraham Lincoln in expectation of what he warned 100 days earlier would be coming _ his final proclamation declaring all slaves in states rebelling against the Union to be "forever free." A tradition began on Dec. 31, 1862, as many black churches held Watch Night services, awaiting word that Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation would take effect as the country was in the midst of a bloody Civil War. Later, congregations listened as the president's historic words were read aloud. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Watch Nights mark Emancipation Proclamation 150th

Associated Press · December 29, 2012 5:00 am

New members may play big role in Kansas Legislature

New members may play big role in Kansas Legislature

Associated Press · December 29, 2012 5:00 am

Gas drilling companies work on community relations

Gas drilling companies work on community relations

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:29 pm

Office changes to occur in Washington Senate transition

Office changes to occur in Washington Senate transition

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. walks to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

White House meeting a last stab at a fiscal deal

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho (AP Photo/Matt Cilley, File)

Sen. Michael Crapo won’t fight Alexandria DUI charge

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

(Photo: Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner)

No ethics breaches found in Countrywide VIP loans

Associated Press, Larry Margasak · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

Proposal would triple Oldtown toll bridge rates

Proposal would triple Oldtown toll bridge rates

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

VDOT signs agreement with Navy on I-564 connector

VDOT signs agreement with Navy on I-564 connector

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

President Barack Obama pauses during a statement on the fiscal cliff negotiations with congressional leaders in the briefing room of the White House on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in Washington. The negotiations are a last ditch effort to avoid across-the-board first of the year tax increases and deep spending cuts. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Last ditch effort to avoid fiscal cliff under way

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

Bipartisan senators propose curbing filibusters

Bipartisan senators propose curbing filibusters

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2012 file photo, a truck driver watches as a freight container, right, is lowered onto a tractor trailer by a container crane at the Port of Boston in Boston. The crane and a reach stacker, left, are operated by longshoremen at the port. The longshoremen's union may strike if they are unable to reach an agreement on their contract, which expires Dec. 29, 2012. A walkout by dock workers represented by the International Longshoremen's Association would bring commerce to a near halt at ports from Boston to Houston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Strike averted, for now, at East Coast ports

Associated Press · December 28, 2012 5:00 am