Practical Traveler: Obama and You? A Strategy for the Big Day. Get tips on hotel rooms, transportation and public access points for the parade on Inauguration Day.

George Docherty, Pastor Who Influenced Pledge, Dies at 97. Mr. Docherty was credited with helping to push Congress to insert the phrase “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance.

National Briefing | Southwest: Texas: Indictments Are Dismissed. A judge in Raymondville has dismissed indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

Prosecutors Pass on Chance to Revive Tax Shelter Case. Federal prosecutors are passing on their last chance to reinvigorate a criminal tax-shelter proceeding, once billed as the largest in history, after a string of setbacks.

U.S. Is Said to Expand Tax Inquiry. The Justice Department has expanded its investigation into foreign banks that sell offshore banking services to include Credit Suisse and HSBC, according to people briefed on the matter.

The TV Watch: A Concession Wrapped in an Acceptance. For some viewers, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s speech was the moment when she finally conceded the election for real.

Treasury’s Lead Role in China in Flux. Secretary Henry M. Paulson has spearheaded American policy toward Beijing since 2006, which raises the question of who will pick up the baton upon his departure.

Bailout Monitor Sees Lack of a Coherent Plan. The head of a new Congressional panel set up to monitor the federal bailout says the government still does not seem to have a coherent strategy for easing the crisis.

Some Federal Workers Lose Bargaining Rights. President Bush issued an executive order that denies bargaining rights to about 8,600 employees who work in national security.

Democrats in House Plan a Package of Up to $500 Billion to Help States. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped to deliver an economic recovery bill to President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office.

Short Lines at Polls in Georgia Senate Runoff. Polling stations across Georgia reported low to moderate voter turnout in the state’s runoff election for the Senate.

Nominee Would Lead ID Program She Opposed. As governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, Barack Obama’s choice for homeland security secretary, opposed the Real ID drivers’ license program.

Appointments Begin a New Phase for Obama. Barack Obama formally introduced his national security team, led by Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state nominee.

Pardon Is Back in Focus for the Justice Nominee. Eric H. Holder Jr., Barack Obama’s choice to be attorney general, was more deeply involved in the 2001 pardon of Marc Rich than his supporters acknowledge.

Military Analysis: Afghan Strategy Poses Stiff Challenge for Obama. Experts caution that a troop increase in Afghanistan is unlikely to lead to the sort of turnaround seen in Iraq.

G.M. Asks for $18 Billion as It Tries to Avoid Collapse. General Motors said it needed $12 billion in loans and a $6 billion line of credit and that it will cut jobs, factories, brands and executive pay.

Obama Promises Quick Relief for Governors. President-elect Barack Obama told the country’s governors that his administration would not delay in pushing an economic recovery plan.