The Capitol Police briefly closed Independence Avenue on Wednesday afternoon when K-9 units reported suspicious materials during a routine vehicle inspection. [IMGCAP(1)]

Police canines alerted officers to “bomb-making materials” such as gun powder or another explosive during a search in the 200 block of New Jersey Avenue Southeast, between the Cannon and Longworth House office buildings, according to a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

The vehicle and driver were released after a detailed search of the vehicle by the agency’s hazardous materials unit did not locate additional evidence of explosives.

Presto Change-o. The Government Printing Office has renamed its office responsible for publishing the Congressional Record and other legislative materials.

In an attempt to shed its old image, the Congressional Printing Management Division has become the Office of Congressional Publishing Services.

“The new office name better reflects what GPO is doing and the services we are providing to Congress,” OCPS Superintendent Charles Cook said in a statement. “We are no longer solely ink-on-paper. The increased use of electronics means we are receiving and processing more data electronically for greater print-on-demand capabilities, as well as conventional printing methods, and making those products available for on-line dissemination for world-wide access.”

Since taking charge of the printing office in late 2002, Public Printer Bruce James has sought to overhaul the agency’s business structure, including the storage of more publications in electronic formats.

— Jennifer Yachnin