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Host Bob Edwards speaks with NPR's Martin Kaste about ongoing negotiations in Colombia between President Andres Pastrana and Colombia's largest rebel group, the FARC.

A program called Pathways To Housing has developed an unusual approach to housing homeless, mentally ill substance abusers: offer them apartments of their own, straight off the street. Right now, the program operates in New York City and it places few conditions on the people it houses. Critics of the program say giving an apartment to this population is risky. But studies may suggest otherwise. Robert Siegel explores this program.

The $1.6 trillion Bush tax cut plan is now before Congress. How it is resolved could be defining event in the early stages of the Bush presidency. Robert talks with David Brooks, Senior Editor at the Weekly Standard, and E.J. Dionne, columnist for the Washington Post about their views on the political importance of the tax cut bill.

Cy Musiker of member station KQED offers a tale of two California homes struggling to find ways to conserve energy in the wake of the state's power crisis.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports on the disillusionment among Israel's leftists and peace activists following the election victory of right-wing leader Ariel Sharon.

Reading Sunday papers in a coffee house, Commentator Andrei Codrescu was once the unwilling witness to a medical resident doing freelance cosmetic surgery on two women joggers at the next table.

The White House today said it is considering a request from California Governor Gray Davis for the federal government to waive some environmental standards so that the state can generate more electricity. NPR's Richard Gonzales has the story.

The first full retrospective in fifteen years of California artist Wayne Thiebaud is opening at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., tomorrow. He's 80 years old. And his funny, terrific paintings of food, Pop Art, and San Francisco cityscapes still enchant today. NPR's Susan Stamberg has the story. (7:30) Visit Wayne Thiebaud for more information.

Costco pays $17 an hour after a second raise this year. Starbucks is raising hourly pay to $15 amid a union effort. Major chains are pushing to draw workers, who have shunned a million retail jobs.

Federal agents seized a church building in Indianapolis today, carrying out several people who refused to leave. The Indianapolis Baptist Temple has a long running dispute with the Internal Revenue Service. The I.R.S. says the church has refused to withhold taxes from its employees, and owes millions of dollars in back taxes. Noah talks with Terry Horne, federal court reporter for The Indianapolis Star.

Ohio Representative James Traficant is the subject of a federal investigation, in connection with free construction work and free cars the Congressman allegedly received from Ohio businessmen with interests before the government. Twenty years ago, when Traficant was a county sheriff, he was charged with taking bribes. He defended himself in court and won. His popularity launched him to Congress. Now, Traficant makes clear he's ready to defend himself again. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

This week in New York City, toy buyers and toy aficionados are descending on the International Toy Fair. Linda talks with Marianne Szymanski, founder and president of Toy Tips magazine, about what's hot and what's not in the toy business. (4:00) Visit Toy Tips for more information.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen clashed in several parts of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank today. The escalating violence came amid signs Israel's Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon may succeed in efforts to form a national unity government made up of his Likud faction and the Labor Party.

Linda talks with Jane Nober, Special Council with The Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C., about false organizations set up just to take people's money.

NPR's Phillip Davis reports on the case of 14-year-old Lionel Tate, who was sentenced to life in prison last month for the murder of a six-year-old playmate. Tate's conviction is the continuation of a trend in Florida, where many juvenile criminals are prosecuted as adults.

NPR's John McChesney examines an online service that's trying to succeed where Napster failed. FullAudio wants to buy the rights from record companies to resell music over the Internet. FullAudio would then give consumers the ability to download the music to their computer, stereo, or even their car radio, and play it until their subscription runs out.

Commentator Jim Sollisch explains what people REALLY mean when they concoct too-good-to-be-true self-portraits in personal ads.

Commentator Owen Gleiberman doesn't like the so-called "director's cuts" of movies that are increasingly available on DVDs.

Reporter Curtis Fox takes us on a visit to Harlem, the storied black neighborhood on Manhattan's Upper West side. White people are buying brownstones and moving in, and trendy, white-owned chains like Starbucks are opening up. Long-time residents are divided about whether or not it means the beginning of the end of Harlem's cultural identity as the "Black Mecca".

The U.S. Marine Corps is testing new camouflage fatigues that will be safer and more comfortable in the field. From member station KPBS in San Diego, Russell Lewis reports.

Tonight, the finals are taking place at the nation's most prestigious dog show: The Westminster Kennel Club Competition. It's happening at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Noah Adams talks to Geraldine Fessalino, Director of Housekeeping for the New York Hotel Pennsylvania, where nine hundred rooms have been reserved for the pets and their owners.

From member station WUNC, Jessica Jones reports on North Carolina's efforts to include students with learning disabilities in its statewide testing program.

NPR's John Ydstie reports that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told lawmakers on Capitol Hill today that the economy is NOT currently in a recession, but that a serious downturn could not be ruled out.

NPR's David Welna reports on the visit by Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill to Capitol Hill to argue for swift action on President Bush's tax cut. Testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, O'Neill's appearance is the opening salvo for the administration's key economic initiative.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. The newly elected leader of Israel, Ariel Sharon, has sent a delegation to talk with the Bush administration.