DES MOINES, Iowa  While Republican Party of Iowa officials get ready to release certified vote totals today from the Jan. 3 caucuses, an Iowa newspaper was reporting that final tallies show Rick Santorum finished 34 votes ahead of Mitt Romney. It was the closest outcome in the event's history.

RALEIGH, N.C  A two-day tour of poverty-stricken areas in northeastern North Carolina is getting underway with its first stop in Beaufort County. The "Truth and Hope Tour of Poverty in North Carolina" begins today with a stop in Washington. It moves then to Roper in Washington County and then to Elizabeth City State University in Pasquotank County.

By Zinie Chen Sampson  RICHMOND Virginia's schools will soon offer a new digital education program that will encourage students to use technology and social media safely and responsibly. Gov. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner plan to announce the program today.

PORTSMOUTH An I.C. Norcom High School teacher and junior varsity coach charged with sex crimes involving a student is scheduled for trial today. Marc A. Allmond, 30, is charged with carnal knowledge of a minor and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

PORTSMOUTH Fire this morning damaged a home in the 900 block of Mt. Vernon Ave. in Port Norfolk. The fire was reported shortly after 4 a.m., dispatchers said. There was no word on injuries or the cause of the blaze. For an update, return to PilotOnline.com.

CHESAPEAKE The Gilmerton Bridge has reopened after a power outage closed the span before rush hour on Wednesday. The span got stuck open during a lift about 3 p.m. and a power cable was affected, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Overnight, crews recovered the cable, which runs under water, and repaired it.

By Jeff Lawson Temperatures should be pretty close to normal for the next couple of days. Today will feature sunshine to start the day, but clouds will increase in the afternoon and by tonight, there could be a few isolated light showers or flurries. Highs will be in the upper 40s and lows tonight night will be in the mid-30s.

WASHINGTON President Barack Obama launched his first television ad of his re-election campaign, defending his energy record against criticism from a Republican-leaning outside group in a sign that the presidential race is entering a new phase even though Republicans have yet to pick a challenger.

SUFFOLK Declaring it's time to "step up to the plate" for city workers who haven't had raises in four years, the City Council called on its staff Wednesday to produce a plan to raise pay standards.

A Senate committee on Wednesday rejected a bill to give local officials more say on major road project agreements between the state and private companies that are likely to feature tolls.