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Commentator James Woolsey, a former director of the CIA, is in favor of Congress's creation of a new intelligence director, but he's concerned the reorganization will give Americans a false sense of security regarding future terrorist attacks.

Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Mister Cartoon explains why creating a tattoo of the Virgen de Guadalupe -- the patron saint of Mexico -- is a sacred task. Warning: This segment contains sexually suggestive language.

Spooked advertisers are steering their more controversial ads away from the Super Bowl and featuring them online. While the broadcast line-up will include family-friendly spots with patriotic themes and the Muppets, the Internet has become the destination for those seeking edgier advertising.

President Bush selects federal appeals court Judge Michael Chertoff to be the new Homeland Security chief, replacing Secretary Tom Ridge. A former prosecutor, Chertoff led the Justice Department's criminal division from 2001 to 2003.

Melissa Block talks with David Margolick, author of the forthcoming Beyond Glory: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling and a World on the Brink, about the death of former heavyweight boxing champion Max Schmeling. Audio provided courtesy of Cayton Sports Inc.

The trek of millions of Monarch butterflies from their breeding grounds in North America to central Mexico is one of nature's great mysteries, scientists say. But many in the area taken over from November to March see it as a mixed blessing.

Fans of the hit independent film Sideways are flocking to Santa Barabara County to trace the footsteps of the movie's characters, who search for the meaning of life and a good glass of pinot noir. The restaurants and wineries featured in the film are becoming cult destinations.

In the United States, men generally earn more money than women -- about 25 percent more, on average. But that’s not the case in rural King County, Texas, where women make about 30 percent more than men. NPR’s Howard Berkes recently visited King County to examine the reasons behind the gap.

President Bush delivers a $2.57 trillion budget to Congress that would eliminate or reduce spending on dozens of government programs, including education, farm subsidies and health care for veterans. Former Congressional Budget Office Director Robert Reischauer discusses the president's 2006 spending plan.

NPR's Melissa Block talks with six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong about his plans for the coming year, the controversy over doping in cycling, and what the success of the "Live Strong" bracelet campaign has meant to him.

Sixty years ago, the German army tried to push the Allies back one last time, as World War II neared its end in Europe. Former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite was with Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army that Christmas. Cronkite reflects on the Battle of the Bulge, which remains the largest pitched battle in U.S. history.

As Jen Batara was seeing her husband, Army Sgt. Ray Batara, off for deployment in Iraq in December, the couple thought she would stay at his base in Fort Stewart, Ga. But Jen has changed her mind.

Bandleader, clarinetist and arranger Artie Shaw has died at home in Los Angeles. His health had declined since Thanksgiving. He was 94. Shaw's recording of "Begin the Beguine" became so popular in 1938 that it brought him to an even footing with the other so-called "King of Swing" -- Benny Goodman. NPR's Robert Siegel has a remembrance.

In the second of a year-end series of reflections, commentator and philosopher Alain de Botton explains why having an idealized view of the world can be appealing and helpful.

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Theodore Sizer, a former high school principal and the founder of the Coalition of Essential Schools. Sizer talks about what's wrong with American high schools and how they might be improved. Sizer is also the author of The Red Pencil: Convictions from Experience in Education.

Matt Groening is the creator of the highly acclaimed animated Fox sitcom The Simpsons. He tells us how the show and its characters evolved, and discusses his role in the production of some 300 episodes. Groening also created the TV series Futurama and still draws the weekly comic strip Life in Hell.

NPR's Daniel Schorr ponders possible changes on the Supreme Court this year.

On Jan. 1, the global agreement that has capped garment industry exports for decades will expire. China is among the countries poised to benefit from the change, and some U.S. companies are making changes to compete. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Among the nominees for best new artist at this Sunday's Grammy Awards are Tex-Mex artists Los Lonely Boys, the Los Angeles band Maroon 5, young British soul singer Joss Stone, producer-turned-rapper Kanye West and the hot country artist Gretchen Wilson. Michele Norris talks with music critic Tom Moon about the category.

The U.S. trade imbalance with the rest of the world, especially China, is forcing American manufacturers to find ways to boost their exports in order to stay afloat. NPR's Adam Davidson visited two factories in Erie, Pa., that are focusing on niches that cheap labor in China cannot easily fill.

For the first time, scientists successfully use gene therapy to regenerate hair cells in the inner ear and restore hearing in deaf guinea pigs. The results suggest it may someday be possible to use a similar approach to treat deafness in humans.

Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi talks about Sunday's elections. He has spent the past week urging Iraqis to vote, while campaigning at the top of the Iraqi List slate. He discusses his legacy as interim leader and his determination to keep the polls open, regardless of security concerns.

President Bush is getting a brand new cowboy hat, just in time for his second inauguration. The hat, the second to be made for Bush by Trent Johnson, is a gift from the National Cattleman's Beef Association. Brian Larson of member station KUMC in Greeley, Colo. reports.

Can blogging about your work get you canned? NPR's Eric Weiner reports on people who have been fired from their jobs because they maintain Web logs about their work. The firings raise questions about the rights of bloggers.

Gerald Reynolds, the newly appointed chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, recently described himself as "a 1950s liberal." Commentator Janus Adams recalls some events from the 1950s to better understand what Reynolds means.