Date set for Obama's State of Union speech

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will deliver the State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on Jan. 25, his first opportunity to address the full assembly of lawmakers under the new divided government.

This year's speech will be watched closely for signs of how far Obama will go to work with Republicans, particularly on economic policies and on efforts to reduce the nation's long-term debt. House Speaker John Boehner sent Obama a letter yesterday, inviting him to speak in two weeks. The White House promptly accepted.

Boehner's letter acknowledged last weekend's Arizona shooting that left six dead and 14 injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was critically wounded. "Even in the wake of tragedy," Boehner wrote, "we must never waver from our obligation to carry out their will and provide solutions to keep moving our nation forward." The date for the speech was reached in discussions between the speaker's office and the White House.- AP