We're sorry to start the first work day of 2013 on a negative note, but here goes:

Though the House voted 257-167 late Tuesday to OK legislation that kept the federal government from going over the so-called fiscal cliff — and stopped income taxes from rising for about 99 percent of Americans — lawmakers didn't reach agreement on other very divisive issues.

Being a little overweight may tip the odds in favor of living a long life, according to a new analysis. Researchers say there may be some benefit to having a little extra body fat.

This isn't the first time researchers have raised questions about the link between body weight and how long someone will live. While there's no debate that being severely obese will raise the risk of all kinds of illnesses and even cut some lives short, it's less clear what happens to people who are less overweight.

The budget compromise bill that is meant to allow the U.S. government to avoid higher tax rates and austere budget cuts has tax rates as its central issue, with discussions about more spending cuts, and the federal debt limit, put off until the coming weeks.

Voting begins this month for the top players, teams and moments from the history of the NCAA basketball tournament.

It’s part of the March Madness 75th anniversary celebration.

The NCAA has compiled a list of 75 players, 25 teams and 35 tournament moments for fans to consider. Voters will trim the list to 15 players, one team and one moment.

Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth says reauthorizing the expired No Child Left Behind Act should be a priority of the incoming Congress.

But the law as it stands now would likely undergo significant reforms that follow what some states like Kentucky have already begun implementing.

Yarmuth was recently appointed to the  House Education and Workforce Committee, a position he held during his first years in office.

Louisville will host the 2013 UCI World Elite Cyclo-cross Championships early next year, which is being held outside of Europe for the first time in the sport’s 60-year history. 

Cyclo-cross is a bicycle race on multi terrains and with some obstacles where riders may have to dismount and traverse. This year, the Masters and Elite race will be held at  Louisville’s Eva Bandman Park off River Road. 

The Louisville Free Public Library’s Library U course for January is on the changing role of American theater. Actors Theatre of Louisville associate director Zan Sawyer-Dailey will offer an an insider’s look at the art of making theater at the Main Library. 

Sawyer-Dailey’s course will cover the history of the regional theater movement and Actors Theatre, how the theater’s artistic decisions are made, and offer a look at the upcoming Humana Festival of New American Plays.  

The president of Kentucky's third largest university said adding Pikeville University to the state system would be financially cumbersome for the state, although House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he won't personally support new funding for higher education until UPike is admitted.

The White House released this statement from President Obama at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday:

Leaders from both parties in the Senate came together to reach an agreement that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support today that protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle class tax hike. While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country and the House should pass it without delay.