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The nation's governors are in full agreement about how to revamp the Medicaid program for the poor and disabled. But NPR's Joanne Silberner reports that there's no unanimity among Medicaid experts. Some say the proposals will give the states the flexibility to tailor programs to the needs of the poor. But others say they could leave people in need without health coverage.

NPR's Elaine Korry examines whether higher levels of spending on education and training programs will actually narrow the income gap between the rich and poor in this country. Many economists believe education is the only realistic way of addressing income disparity, but they caution that it's no panacea and will not change things quickly.

Musical satire from Peter Robinson, who well understands the maxim that to understand the man, one must first understand the place where he's from.

that dates back to the Cold War. The change could revitalize Russia's economy with a flood of U.S. dollars. Many American gun control groups are against the measure, while trade officials here promise only hunting and sporting guns will be allowed into the country.

send a man to the moon, science still hasn't been able to figure out exactly what causes and cures the common cold

A reading from "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss. The cat, you'll remember, comes back to reveal another cat under his hat, who has another cat under his hat, who has another cat, and so-on. The cats get smaller until there's only VOOM left.

is suing the Anne Frank Foundation.

Noah reads from the latest batch of listeners' letters.

about the difficulty in implementing some of the provisions of the Dayton agreement.

Congress is passing a series of short-term funding measures for many government departments. But NPR's Phillip Davis reports that administrators are warning that they can't operate effectively without longterm spending plans.

has changed since the Challenger disaster ten years ago Sunday. However, the space agency is worried that budget cuts and the continuing pressure to perform may undo a lot of those changes.

NPR's Kathy Schalch reports that the Clinton re-election campaign has raised more money than any of his potential Republican opponents -- $26 million as of the end of 1995. According to a new report, much of the money has come from lawyers and the entertainment industry, two groups that have been very supportive of the Clinton administration and some of its legislative proposals.

Oregon Public Radio's Ley Garnett (LEE gar-NET) reports on the worst flooding to hit the western part of the state in 30 years. The Wilamette and Columbia Rivers are expected to crest in Portland at record levels tonight as citizens battle to shore up the riverbanks and save new developments.(6:30) -b- 8. BOSNIA. Noah talks with NPR's Andy Bowers in Sarajevo. They discuss the arrest of Bosnian Serb officers and response by Serbs to quit dealing with the Muslim-led Bosnian government and to halt contact with the NATO peace mission, Also, Richard Holbrooke, U-S Assistant Secretary of Sate, is being sent to Sarajevo Sunday to help the sides start talking again.

Noah talks with the Irish musician known as Enya (

On this observance of the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., we hear an excerpt of a letter written by King while he was imprisoned in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. He is responding to a letter written by several white clergymen who criticized King's acts of civil disobedience and suggested his civil rights agenda could best be achieved in the courts. The exceprt is read by actor Wilson Cain III.

Alan Lipke [LIP-kee] reports on a school district seeking to end a 25-year old desegregation plan. It claims to have done the best possible, considering housing patterns. Tampa is one of the few places where schools tried a district-wide desegregation plan that included both urban and suburban schools.

Reporter David Welna reports that last week 255 legislators from Mexico's ruling PRI party wrote a letter to President Ernesto Zedillo, criticizing Mexico's free market policy. The letter also urged the government to reassert control over the economy, promote lower interest rates and stablize the exchange rate. Although the legislators are now toning down their criticim somewhat, the attack on Zedillo and his policies has serious ramifications for the party.

Danny speaks with NPR's Mara Liasson about a speech President Clinton made today to troops at the U.S. Army base in Baumholder, Germany. Those troops will be the first Americans to go to Bosnia as part of the NATO peacekeeping force. The President told them: "If you are threatened with attack, you may respond immediately and with decisive force." Mara says that among the troops and their families, there is some concern about having to go to Bosnia during the Christmas season.

Daniel talks to Margaret Wertheim, author of the book, "Pythagoras' Trousers." In it, she argues that because math and physics, more than any other sciences, are linked to religion, women have been systematically excluded from their studies in a more profound way than form other sciences.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports that often, serious debate on Capitol Hill doesn't get a whole lot of news coverage, for it is the partisan stuff that really attracts the journalists. But that doesn't mean that members of Congress don't put aside politics and really dig into an issue in a serious manner. Kenyon found one such example this week in the House Judiciary Committee, which debates issues of refugees and political asylum.

NPR's John Nielsen reports that congressional Republicans and the Clinton White House are moving closer to a showdown over Medicare reform. First, House Republicans unveiled a plan to wring $270 billion from the national health insurance program for the elderly. Then, President Clinton threatened a veto, unless the cuts were scaled back. Now, Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole says the cutbacks in the Senate's Medicare reform bill will probably equal the savings in the house bill.

NPR's Maria Hinojosa reports on a trend in some cities where, in a reverse migration, couples are moving from the suburbs and back into the cities. There, in urban solitude, people can enjoy a shorter commute, they don't have to deal with the constant sound of lawnmowers and they can take advantage of greater cultural opportunities. Hinojosa reports the some companies are also jumping on the bandwagon and returning to cities to do business.

Daniel talks to NPR's Joe Palca about flu season. There are more cases of the flu in the winter than in the summer, but researchers are not sure why. Research also suggests that flu shots are beneficial for all people, not just the elderly.

NPR's Melissa Blocks leads us through the pages of a new book...an encyclopedia of New York City. The book is huge...it weighs more than seven pounds. It took 13 years to put together at a cost of one million dollars.

Daniel talks with Adam Raphael, author of 'Ultimate Risk', about the financial crisis the British insurance company Lloyd's of London is currently facing. Raphael says Lloyds, known for 300 years as a reliable and respected feature of British establishment, is now caught in a scandal of corruption and fraud that will cost investors millions. And will have ramifications for insurance companies in the United States as well. The book's publisher is Four Walls, Eight Windows in New York.