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Medical journalist Dr. Stephen Cohen argues that the threat of bio-terrorism has grown as dissident groups have both motive and ability to use agents like anthrax and smallpox against the U.S. and we're unprepared. 90% of people aren't immunized. There's a shortage of smallpox vaccine and isolation beds. We should be treating it as a public health threat and involve the medical community more than it is now.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports that a recent FBI bust of a bookie has focused attention on another weapon in law enforcement's high-tech arsenal. Agents put a keystroke monitor on a suspect's computer and were able to recreate every letter typed into it for months. The idea was to get a password he used to encrypt data.

Beijing is prosecuting some of China's high and mighty in a huge corruption scandal, based in Xiamen. Already there have been death sentences handed down in number of cases, and more are expected. NPR's Rob Gifford reports on the case of a Chinese man, arrested in Vancouver and held in a Canadian jail on immigration charges. Political leaders in Beijing say he is the most prolific smuggler in modern Chinese history. They have requested that he be extradited to China. Canada is worried about the case, because the man could be executed if returned to China. But Chinese officials are concerned because the suspect, who's name is Lai Changxing, has tales to tell about corruption at the highest levels of government.

For years Americans have gone to the polls every four years trusting that their vote counts. They trust that after coming together to cast their ballots on election day a president will be elected and everyone will come together, at least for a brief honeymoon period, behind that president. What happens when such a fundamental trust in the way things work, is broken? NPR's Lynn Neary has a report if the trust can be restored.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports that, before adjournment, Congress voted to limit the development of low power radio. Low power stations broadcast within an area of four to seven miles, and are meant to benefit schools, churches and others in a local community. Broadcaster groups, including NPR, have said those new stations could interfere with currently licensed FM broadcasters. The omnibus spending bill approved by Congress and sent to President Clinton includes a ban on removing the cushions that protect individual FM signals, except in nine test markets.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports on a new study showing that doctors frequently ignore warnings on drug packaging. When one new warning was widely publicized a couple of years ago, prescriptions for the wrong people actually went up.

Eighty-percent of the world's poinsettias are grown at one ranch in Encinitas, California. Noah talks with Paul Ecke III -- CEO of Paul Ecke Ranch -- about the history and breeding of the popular holiday flower. The Ecke family has grown the tropical American shrub for ninety years.

Josh Rogers of New Hampshire Public Radio reports on the financial hardship faced by many lower and fixed income people in the northeast due to high heating oil prices this winter. There's a limited amount of available fuel assistance, and many politicians are asking for additional federal funding to help out.

Commentator Frank Deford pays tribute to Preakness and Derby-winning jockey Chris Antley, who died recently. He won the Kentucky Derby twice, and was a colorful character in the sport.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Astronaut Bill Shepherd and Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev on the International Space Station. Both men have been on board since October and plan to return home in March. Their mission is to help prepare the station for permanent habitation and scientific research.

Former Democratic Representative Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois is one of 59 people President Clinton has decided to pardon. The former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee pleaded guilty to mail fraud. David Schaper of WBEZ in Chicago reports.

Robert talks with reporter Eric Pilgrim of the European Stars and Stripes about the trial of 2 American teenage boys. The boys will serve 7 to 8 years for the deaths of two German drivers. The drivers were killed after the boys dropped rocks from a pedestrian onto the windshields of the passing cars.

Noah talks to Lori and Tim Lane, who delivered mail by dogsled in Fremont, Michigan. The Lanes are in training for the Iditarod race in Alaska in 2002. They say that they had to tire the dogs out a little before delivering the mail, that's because they are used to running, not stopping as they go.

The new film from British director Terrence Davies - his adaptation of Edith Wharton's satire of the rich - opens in theaters today. It stars Gillian "X-Files" Anderson as a beautiful young woman undone by high society in turn-of-the-last-century Manhattan. The film has been praised by critics and is already a hit in Britain. David D'Arcy reports.

The strong cold front could produce damaging winds, but embedded tornadoes and waterspouts cannot be ruled out.

After months of public compliance, the Italian government is getting fierce and sometimes violent pushback against coronavirus lockdown measures.

Disinformation about the election has spread from many sources, including the White House. That's why major TV networks are preparing to deal with what could be a very confusing Election Night.

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with two people affiliated with Seeds of Peace, Eliza O'Neil and Spencer Traylor, about how the program helps heal divides and what we can learn from it.

Host Alex Chadwick talks with Doctor Clotaire Rapaille about how the presidential candidates continue to sell themselves although both are staying out of public view.

Joseph Ladapo said he cannot communicate clearly with a mask and offered to meet outside with a state senator who has breast cancer.

New voting maps in Texas are already facing legal challenges for discrimination, but that's just the start of how gerrymandering affects the nation's democracy.

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota about the Democrats' plan to set a minimum tax rate for corporations. Plus a new tax on the richest Americans.

More than 100 people charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol have pleaded guilty. But others are promising to take their cases to trial, including some who have decided to represent themselves.

A parade of policy disagreements between the U.S. and its European allies — and a stalled climate bill in Congress — could make President Biden's trip to Europe this week a bumpy one.

Day, a Illinois State University graduate student, was reported missing on Aug. 24. LaSalle County authorities say the manner in which he went into the Illinois River is currently unknown.