Obama holds last press conference of his presidency

President Obama thanked the Washington press corps during his last press conference Wednesday and spoke of the media's importance in a democracy. "It goes without saying that essential to that is a free press.

W.Va. AG, Ohio AG DeWine Lead 13 States in Challenging Abusive Federal Mining Rule

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine led a group of 13 states in challenging the federal government's so-called Stream Protection Rule as drastically and illegally limiting coal mining in disregard of state regulatory authority. The states filed suit in federal court, and many also asked Congress to revoke the last-minute Obama Administration regulation.

Revelers, rally-goers to clog DC for inauguration

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to clog the nation's capital for Donald Trump's inauguration and a major demonstration the day after, but how many will actually arrive to party or protest is an open question. Officials estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 people will be present Friday for the inauguration, a celebration that takes over the city, closing roads, taxing the city's Metro transit system and making getting around difficult.

The Obamas donate White House swingset to Washing D.C. shelter

President Barack Obama greets youngsters at Sasha and Malia's former White House playground which was donated to the Jobs Have Priority Family Shelter. From now on, children at a family shelter in southeast Washington, D.C., may get a kick out of the fact that they are swinging and sliding where two of the country's most famous children once played.

In emotional farewell speech, Michelle Obama praises diversity

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama stops for selfies during her annual visit to the Toys for Tots event at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Dec. 7, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS WASHINGTON First Lady Michelle Obama made an impassioned case for embracing diversity and welcoming all religious groups in a not-so-veiled message to her husband's successor two weeks ahead of Inauguration Day. In what was billed as her last formal speech before President Barack Obama leaves office, the first lady said Friday at an event honoring high school counselors that the United States belonged to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Trump and Schumer: From potential allies to antagonists

In this May 12, 2016, file photo Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., looks from behind a poster of then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, while he speaks with reporters about Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In the weeks after November's election, President-elect Trump and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Schumer sounded like potential allies.

The fight to defund Planned Parenthood has very little to do with abortions

Anti-abortion activists hold a rally opposing federal funding for Planned Parenthood in front of the U.S. Capitol July 28, 2015 in Washington, DC. In a one-two punch, House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday that Republicans plan to defund Planned Parenthood when they try to repeal the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare.

Security concerns high for Trump inauguration

Security surrounding the inauguration of Donald Trump is proving to be the most challenging in recent history, according to senior officials involved in its planning, largely because of the same forces of political rancor that shaped the race for the presidency. On top of the daunting threats to any inaugural ceremony, the three dozen agencies responsible for security at the Jan. 20 festivities are preparing for the possibility of large numbers of protesters flooding the capital, along with what may be nearly 1 million supporters of Trump.

The five biggest obstacles to Trump’s plan to overhaul the tax code

Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin waits after a meeting with Senator Orrin Hatch on Capitol Hill December 8, 2016 in Washington, DC. If confirmed, he is expected to lead Trump's tax reform efforts./ AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski President-elect Donald Trump likes to say he will "drain the swamp" of special interests when he takes up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

AEM Ignites Discussion on the Future of Infrastructure

A fast start followed by a year of non-stop programming drove AEM's Infrastructure Vision 2050 to success in 2016. Launch efforts included the release of its Mobility 2050 report, a multi-layered external communication effort, and the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge , a crowdsourced, incentivized competition to solicit groundbreaking solutions to pressing infrastructure challenges in the United States.

Just three states took in a quarter of all refugees in 2016

The U.S. took in its most refugees in fiscal year 2016 since 1999, with just three states taking a quarter of all new arrivals. California , Texas and New York took in a combined 24 percent of the 84,955 admitted refugees, who are people who are fleeing their own country because of persecution and threats to their personal safety.

A peek at the Electoral College from around the nation

In ceremonies in fifty state capitals and the District of Columbia, the states convened their electors to elect the next President of the United States, in a mix of symbolism, history, and a bit of raw political feelings as well. "I want to congratulate all of you on your role on this historic day," said Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania.

Cal Thomas: Mike Pence says Trump has a mandate

When Mike Pence becomes the 48th vice president of the United States next month, he will take on the role of a political lobbyist for Donald Trump's activist agenda. In an interview I conducted with Pence in his transitional office next to a sandwich shop in Washington, he said he believed voters gave Donald Trump a "mandate."

Navy formally announces naming of Columbia-class submarines

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: The Navy formally announced Wednesday that the first in a new class of ballistic missile submarines will be named the USS Columbia in honor of the District of Columbia. The Navy plans to build 12 submarines to make up the new class, which will be known as the Columbia class, to replace the current Ohio-class fleet of 14 ballistic missile submarines built in the 1980s and '90s.

Smithsonian to Display Trump Portrait Ahead of Inauguration

Our opinions are unbiased and unfiltered, and we never hold back. But the most important voice in D.C. sports is yoursa that's why our phone [...] CBS Sports Radio 1580 CONNECT WITH CBS SPORTS RADIO Listen Live Click Here Latest Sports News & Blogs Click Here Follow The CBS Sports Radio Facebook.com/CBSSportsRadio Twitter: @CBSSportsRadio Contact Studio: 1-855-212-4CBS Email: CNKinard@cbs.com Address 1015 Half Street, SE Washington, [...] WASHINGTON - The Smithsonian says the National Portrait Gallery will put up a photo portrait of President-elect Donald Trump a week before the inauguration.