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America's foster-care system has produced heart-warming stories of finding loving homes for children whose parents at some time could not -- or would not -- care for them. Those stories, however, have been tempered by seemingly frequent stories of children abused by foster families and bounced from home to home. In the second day of our week-long look at the system charged with the oversight of 500,000 children on an average day, we focus specifically on the troubled agencies handling Florida's foster care, and those of the rapidly improving Illinois system. NPR's Tavis Smiley talks with two reporters that have looked into foster care in their states, Carol Marbin Miller of The Miami Herald and Cornelia Grumman, an editorial writer with The Chicago Tribune.

A staff report from the Sept. 11 commission says the Pentagon's air-defense command wasted precious time and missed a chance to intercept at least one of the hijacked planes used in the 2001 attacks. The report largely blames inadequate emergency procedures that didn't account for a response to suicide hijackings. Hear NPR's Mary Louise Kelly and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

The Yongblood Brass Band plays an infectious blend of Dixieland, soul, rock and hip-hop. NPR's Michele Norris talks to members of the group and they perform in Studio 4A.

The Supreme Court dismisses on a technicality a lawsuit seeking to drop the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, sidestepping the issue of whether the phrase violates the separation of church and state. The ruling relieved both conservatives and civil liberties groups. Both sides of the debate feared that a win would have triggered a divisive fight to amend the Constitution. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

Technology reporter Xeni Jardin profiles Cameron Clapp, who lost both legs and his right arm in an accident in September 2001. Thanks to a new set of high-tech prosthetics, Clapp can run again -- and he's even winning some medals.

Ultimately, the support of potential U.S. voters between now and November may depend on comments like the ones Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan made Tuesday. Greenspan warned the economy would suffer significantly in the event of another terrorist attack within the United States. NPR's Tavis Smiley discusses the state of the economy with author-economist Julianne Malveaux and Alison Fraser, director of Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation.

The death of former President Ronald Reagan, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for a decade before his death, has revived stem cell research as a political issue. NPR's Madeleine Brand speaks with NPR's Joe Palca about a new poll measuring public support for embryonic stem cell research.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with ESPN's Sal Masakela about game five of the NBA finals Tuesday night. The Detroit Pistons lead the series 3-1, and could eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers with a win.

NPR's Tavis Smiley has a conversation with Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove about her book Root Shock, which explores urban renewal programs between 1949 and 1973 and their impact on African-American neighborhoods.

Plans for a $165 million Clinton presidential center are helping spark a construction boom and downtown revitalization in Little Rock, Ark. They've also stirred old partisan sentiments, spurring one group to plan a "Counter Clinton" library. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

President Bush says George Tenet has resigned as CIA director for "personal reasons" and will leave the spy agency next month. Tenet has been under intense fire for intelligence failures in Iraq. His deputy will lead the agency temporarily until a successor is found. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

One year after a transitional government was installed to reunify the Democratic Republic of the Congo and end its civil war, the government controls little of the vast nation. Riots and recent fighting have raised the specter of renewed conflict. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports on the nation's decimated infrastructure, endemic corruption, and general impoverishment.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Washington Post obituary writer Adam Bernstein about being at an obituary writers conference as news came out about the death of former President Ronald Reagan.

Peruvians are embracing the music of Peru Negro, a group of performers formed to preserve the country's African musical heritage. At first, many white Peruvians were wary of the group's music, but now black Peruvian music is in vogue and playing a role in shaping the country's social agenda. Rolando Arrieta reports.

The United States and Britain circulate a revised draft U.N. resolution on Iraq that gives the new Iraqi government complete control over its own security forces, and sets an approximate timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. Meanwhile, the interim Iraqi government named Tuesday begins setting its governing priorities, but some question how truly independent it will be from U.S. authorities. Hear NPR's Emily Harris.

For some former gang members, removing old tattoos is a painful but crucial step to leaving their violent pasts behind. In East Los Angeles, a free tattoo removal program aims to help these ex-gang members turn their lives around. Mary Beth Kirchner reports.

President Bush addresses the graduating class at the United States Air Force Academy, telling them the war on terror is the modern equivalent of World War II or the struggle against Communism. The speech in Colorado Springs, Colo., also made it clear that the president considers the fighting in Iraq to be the central front in the war on terror. NPR's White House Correspondent Don Gonyea reports.

A few weeks ago the media reported that the last widow of a Civil War veteran had died. The news surprised the family of Maudie Celia Hopkins, who stepped forward to say that she, too, married a civil war veteran, and she's still alive. The Arkansas woman is 89 years old. The United Daughters of the Confederacy confirmed her story. As a teenager, Hopkins married an 86-year-old veteran who'd hired her to clean his house.

One of the most competitive contests in the U.S. House of Representatives this year is also one of the most ethnically diverse. Republican Goli Ameri, originally from Iran, is challenging Democratic incumbent David Wu, the only Chinese-American member of Congress. Colin Fogarty reports from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Author Christiane Bird shares her experience with the people from the mythical and actual land of Kurdistan in the Middle East. She speaks with NPR's Tony Cox about the history of the Kurds and their views on the war in Iraq.

It's estimated that one of every 20 adolescents suffers from clinical depression. Few of the newer antidepressants have proven effective for teens. But researchers are reporting positive, measurable results with cognitive behavior therapy. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with U.N. envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi about Iraq's future. Brahimi admits the United States will continue to have a significant presence there, but puts a great deal of faith in Iraq's newly announced government.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith. They discuss recent developments in the war in Iraq, and the plan for Iraq's transfer to civilian control outlined in President Bush's speech on Monday. Feith also responds to a recent Day to Day segment that featured Slate writer Chris Suellentrop, who severely criticized Feith's work.

The best interest of children is at the center of the debate over gay marriage. Some scientific studies show no developmental differences between children raised by heterosexual and homosexual parents. But critics charge these studies are conducted to support the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.

NPR's Tavis Smiley talks to commentator Antonio Gonzalez about his work as president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project and how the minority vote is likely to impact the elections in November.