It's looking steady here on the evening shift as we wait for the polls to close in the Massachusetts special Senate election. 

We've lined up reporters from Boston and political strategists to parse out the final results. One theme on our radar if Republican Scott Brown wins: did the democrats lose it or does the credit go to Republicans for a well-organized, long-shot campaign. No matter who wins, we'll discuss what the outcome and the race mean for Obama's agenda.

Alex here at the Takeaway news desk.

As the first wave of rescue supplies arrive and aid efforts intensify, we'll hear from aid workers on the challenges and progress they've seen: one in Port-au-Prince, one near the border in the Dominican Republic and one coordinating plans from back here in the U.S.

We at The Takeaway are dialing (and skyping, tweeting, emailing...) furiously trying to reach reporters and aid agencies on the ground for their reports on the damage and for the tales of survival.