Remember how Mayor Fenty and Govs. O'Malley and Kaine were begging the feds for more assistance to cover the costs of the 56th Presidential Inauguration? Well today, President Bush stepped up to the plate, at least for Fenty, and formally declared a state of emergency in the District for the inaugural events. From the press release:

The President today declared an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered federal aid to supplement the District's response efforts in support of the 56th Presidential Inauguration. The declaration makes available funding and support for the purposes of ensuring the District of Columbia and the federal government are optimally prepared and postured to respond to the 56th Presidential Inauguration, beginning on January 17 through January 21. more ›

By some miracle, so far no fatalities have been reported in the wake of three tornadoes and other violent storm activity in southeastern Virginia, with the worst of the damage having happened in Suffolk, Va., just under 200 miles from Washington. Dozens of photos of the destruction of homes and businesses are being posted online. The Suffolk News-Harold has a photo gallery up, and photos on Flickr tagged with suffolk offer plenty more. more ›