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NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that two of the biggest names in banking are merging. Chase Manhattan will acquire J.P. Morgan in a deal valued at more than $35 billion. It is the latest such transaction in the rapidly consolidating financial services industry, and is expected to put additional pressure on smaller firms to get bigger fast.

NPR's Rick Karr reports that the first Latin Grammy will be held tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is hosting the event.

NPR's Eric Westervelt reports scores of abandoned houses in Philadelphia have crumbled in recent weeks, and engineers say many more are near collapse. The problem has sparked a spate of emergency demolition. Some residents fear their neighborhoods will never be the same.

Jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine died in a New York hospital after suffering a stroke. He was known for his smooth playing and his ability to adapt his style to contemporary audiences. Turrentine started his career playing with Ray Charles and Max Roach. He scored his biggest hit in 1970 with Sugar, which became something of a jazz standard, frequently performed and re-recorded by admirers. He was 66 years old.

NPR's Tom Goldman reports from Sydney, Australia that drug use by athletes is overshadowing the Olympics. Today three positive drugs tests were announced just two days before the opening ceremony of the millennium Olympics.

Commentator Frank Deford says the perception of drug use among Olympic athletes is so strong that almost every winner and every record is suspect.

The Senate has been trying for several weeks to complete action on a bill granting permanent normal trade status to China. But several senators have resisted the bill, trying to attach amendments that would require various changes in Chinese policy. One such effort was directed at China's foreign arms sales, which have furthered efforts by other countries to develop weapons of mass destruction. But today, the Senate voted not to attach any weapons sales provisions to the trade bill. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports the International Olympic Committee has said it would like to broaden its base and add more women to the organization. As the IOC concluded three days of meetings in Sydney, Australia today, it added fourteen new members, all of them male. The nominees were put forth by National Olympic Committees and international sports federations, which are not under IOC control. Some women complain that having few females on the IOC results in inattention to their issues of concern; notably refusal by some nations to allow women to join Olympic teams.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports China has mounted a massive cleanup and construction campaign in Beijing in an effort NOT to lose out again on a bid to host the Olympics. Beijing was bitterly disappointed when Sydney, Australia won the right to host the 2000 summer games, beating Beijing by only two votes. The people of Beijing now hope their city will be chosen to host the 2008 Olympics. They say it's a matter of national pride. But winning an Olympic bid also would force the government to address severe problems with noise, traffic and air pollution.

On the banks of the Skykomish River in Monroe, Washington today, Republican Presidential nominee George W. Bush announced a $5 billion environmental initiative. Bush said the program was needed to improve maintenance and resource protection in the National Park System. Aides hope the event will get the campaign back on message after days of distraction. Andy Bowers, of NPR News, is with the Bush campaign.

Janet Heimlich reports that Austin, Texas utility officials are trying out a new program that allows their customers to buy power generated from renewable energy sources such as solar, or wind power. It means slightly higher power bills for customers who choose the program. But the city has long been home to a strong environmental community that supports such initiatives. Also, the rising price of fossil fuels -- oil and natural gas -- has closed the price gap, making the program more attractive to residents.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr notes that, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that it is dangerous and addictive, the US House of Representatives voted today to aid the export of tobacco.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that anti-globalization demonstrators in Melbourne, Australia have declared their three-day effort a success, even though they failed to shut down a conference of the World Economic Forum, a gathering of international business leaders. Organizers of the protests say globalization, as exemplified by the World Economic Forum, benefits only a few of the wealthiest corporations, while harming the environment, destroying local cultures and increasing poverty. The protesters in Melbourne were well-prepared and well-equipped. They used walkie-talkies to monitor police movements, loudspeakers to direct protesters and they'd even set up first aid and legal aid stations.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on the latest developments on protest over the high price of fuel in Europe. Today protesters announced they were calling off their blockades at many of Britain's oil refineries, but warned that they might renew their protest unless the government cut fuel taxes within 60 days.

NPR's Melissa Block reports that Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio met in their first debate last night. The two candidates are vying to fill the US Senate seat left vacant by Daniel Patrick Moynihan's retirement. As expected, the debate turned ugly, with both Clinton and Lazio attacking each other's character.

Camp Be'chol Lashon is a sleep-away camp that is specifically for Jewish youths of color. The campers are encouraged to discuss race and identity against a backdrop of swimming and horseback riding.

DeSantis has been critical of the Biden administration over its COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

The remnants of Hurricane Nicholas will bring higher rain chances of mainly afternoon thunderstorms.

Signs marking California Historic Route 66 were being stolen almost as fast as they could be posted. Now the California Route 66 Association has a solution - stenciling the route number onto the pavement with paint. Robert talks with Maria Mutschler, treasurer of the California Route 66 Association.

A new report by the U.N. human rights office warns that artificial intelligence has the potential to facilitate "unprecedented level of surveillance across the globe by state and private actors."

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Art Cullen discusses the battle to keep print news alive in small-town America. Cullen runs Iowa's Storm Lake Times, along with his brother, the paper's publisher.

The purchase "is the latest reprehensible choice from a company that has profited from addicting users to its deadly products," the American Lung Association said.

McEntire and members of her team were checking out a historical building in Atoka, Okla. They got trapped inside after its staircase collapsed and had to be rescued.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports on an e-book deal announced between Microsoft and Amazon.com. The deal follows in the wake of a similar deal Microsoft cut with Barnes and Noble.com that's already enabled the rival e-tailer to sell the new format of books.

NPR's Rick Karr reports from New York on the Millennium World Peace Summit of religious and spiritual leaders. Those attending the four day meeting at the United Nations are hoping to explore ways that religion can help prevent wars, and to create an advisory council to the U.N. Secretary General.