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Alan Cheuse reviews Eater, a new novel by Gregory Benford, a physics professor at the University of California's Irvine campus. Benford is one of the country's most prolific and successful writers of science-fiction. (2:00) Eater, by Gregory Benford is published by Avon.

Robert talks to Jorge Lang, an alternate juror in the Florida tobacco trial. He is returning to his job at a medical supply company after two years on the jury, and talks about what it was like to serve. The jury decided on Friday that the tobacco industry must pay 145-billion dollars for damage to smokers.

Maryanne Zeleznik of member station WNKU reports that jailers in Kentucky can now charge inmates up to $50 per night plus administrative fees for their stay in the county jail. Supporters say the income will take some of tax burden off law-abiding citizens and hope that the additional penalty will act as a deterrent to potential law-breakers. Opponents believe that the additional financial burden could lead former inmates back to a life of crime to pay for their jail time.

Commentator Judith Fein works with juvenile prisoners. She describes "snapping," a term they use when they realize the consequences of their actions and are then ready to change.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on Congress's struggle with a couple of communications issues: whether to require cable systems to open their lines to outside Internet providers, and whether local phone companies will be allowed to offer long distance data transfer. These issues are becoming a major target for industry lobbyists on all sides of the issue, and the result has been a stalemate as to the best way to speed deployment of hi-speed Internet access.

Reporter Alix Spiegel reports on a growing movement in cities across the country -- Urban Exploration. She accompanies three explorers into an unused New York City subway tunnel. These urban explorers seek out the dark, forbidden and difficult to reach corners of the city -- defunct drainage systems, "no access" hotel roofs, the occasional city hall -- those places least accessible. The explorers describe the places as the frontiers of the urban landscape. The wear dark suits and ties -- "urban camouflage" and share their findings and adventures with other urban explorers via the Internet.

Elizabeth Stawicki of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the new working farm exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo, which tries to give visitors an accurate portrayal of how farm animals live and die and about the food and fiber they produce.

Robert talks with Robert Reischauer, President of the Urban Institute in Washington D.C., about the way the government makes its surplus projections. He says it's tricky to agree on a certain number assumption to be used in making calculations. One assumption is based on changing demographics, and the other is based on projections for the economy.

Palestinian human rights groups are calling for an international boycott of Burger King. They're angry that the company has maintained a franchise in a West Bank Jewish settlement -- one Burger King officials promised last year they would close. Protesters charge by maintaining the restaurant in an area populated by Israeli Jews, the company is tacitly endorsing Israeli claims to the land. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports.

Dan Tritle from Member Station WNAN on Nantucket reports that tomorrow morning, a Boston woman and a blind Australian man hope to become the first to swim from Martha's Vineyard to Nantucket. The islands are off the Massachusetts coast, in often turbulent Atlantic waters.

Today in Harrison, New Jersey, producers of the HBO television series The Sopranos held a casting call for anyone and everyone interested in being an extra on the hit show. Ill-equiped to handle the thousands of hopefuls that showed up, HBO called off the search before many people had a chance to be seen. Host David Wright talks to a few of the disgruntled Sopranos fans.

President Clinton returns to Camp David tonight, to continue peace negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Talks have stalled over the fate of Jerusalem. Barak aides have said they expect to come to an agreement or end the talks in the next 24 hours. NPR's Tom Gjelten speaks with David from Camp David.

Host David Wright speaks with political analyst Stuart Rothenberg about what a Republican vice presidential nominee must bring to a Bush ticket. Governor Bush is expected to name his running mate in the next few days.

Host David Wright talks with ethnobotanist Mark J. Plotkin, Ph.D, about his new book Medicine Quest. Plotkin has done extensive research throughout the rainforests of South America to explore the healing secrets of the natural world. Plotkin says we have a lot to learn from the biodiversity of the rainforest, especially from unlikely sources such as spiders, snakes and tree bark.

Host David Wright talks with blues singer Koko Taylor. Her first recording in seven years is titled, Royal Blue (Alligator Records, ALCD 4873). It features B.B.King (guitar and vocals) and Keb Mo' (on National Steel Guitar, harmonica, and vocals). Taylor sings both the Chicago and Delta Blues.

WGCU Reporter Amy Tardif takes listeners on a tour of North America's only public tree canopy walkway, located in Myakka River State Part in Sarasota, Florida.

Hospitals in Alaska, Idaho and Nevada are reporting a crush of new coronavirus cases and limited medical staff, forcing some facilities to prioritize resources.

A staggering number of people are still getting COVID-19. The U.S. will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia. Gymnasts criticized the FBI's mishandling of their sexual abuse allegations.

The Pittsburgh City Council will start implementing a plan to fight light pollution over the next two years. Scientists say light pollution in cities can make groups of stars hard to see.

NPR's A Martinez talks to Marisa Kwiatkowski, investigative reporter for USA Today, about USA gymnastics and the FBI mishandling gymnasts sexual abuse allegations against team doctor Larry Nassar.

After losing jobs during the pandemic, more and more women are becoming truck drivers. Many have been attracted by the high demand and higher pay.

The Strand Magazine is publishing the lost Tennessee Williams story: "The Summer Woman." NPR's Noel King talks to managing editor Andrew Gulli about the previously unpublished story.

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has released his first album: Country Yutes. It is a mixture of reggae, afrobeats and dancehall music. Plus some ballads. Is there a gold record in his future?

Singer-songwriter Yebba is out with her debut album, Dawn, named after her late mom. She describes the emotional toll she suffered making the album.

Alt.Latino, NPR's show about Latin Alternative music and Latino arts and culture, is taking over NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts during National Hispanic Heritage Month.