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The leading edge of the Baby Boom Generation (b. between 1946 and 1964) turns 50 in the new year. The boomers were the first generation to grow up with television and television profited by offering the boomers an ever-changing picture of themselves: the child in an idealized all-American family like Donna Reed's, disaffected youths fighting for the greater good like the Mod Squad, young single working women trying to make it on their own, like Mary Richards, or sensitive males who were against the Vietnam War, personified by Hawkeye Pierce, in MASH. Recent attempts by the TV industry to program for a more youthful audience have not reaped the same rewards so Boomers may soon see themselves back at center stage on the small screen. NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that a court in North Carolina is being asked to decide if poor women have the right to abortions paid for by state funds. Recently, the state cut state funding for abortion services for poor women. Abortions rights advocates say the action violates the state constitution because state does provide funds to help poor women give birth.

Noah Adams speaks with Lawrence Krauss, professor of physics at Case Western University and author of "The Physics of Star Trek," about matter and antimatter. Physicists at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics announced yesterday that they had created the first complete atoms of antimatter ever made by humans or seen in nature.

Winter storms already have dumped a foot of snow on Cleveland, and with sub-zero temperatures predicted for the next few days, no relief appears in sight. But Cleveland's woes don't end there. Reporter Joe Smith says an economist is predicting that the combination of heavy snows and the government shut-down will mean a poor first quarter for the Midwest.

When pianist Teddy Wilson joined Benny Goodman's quartet in the mid 1930's, he broke the color barrier in jazz more than ten years before Jackie Robinson did it in baseball. Ever since, many musicians...including guitarist Jim Hall...have believed that jazz was an oasis of racial harmony. But perhaps just as many musicians don't feel that way. A look at race and jazz, from reporter Dean Olsher.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports on the constroversy over whether women who undergo abortions increase their risk for breast cancer. Studies examining this questions have produced mixed results. A new study out today found there appears to be a slight risk, but the question remains unresolved.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports that Chechen rebels reportedly have freed 45 hostages seized during a raid in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan. They had been held for more than two weeks. The Chechens are still holding about 24 Russian policemen saying they will trade them for the release of captured guerillas. In Grozny, Chechens still hold about 30 Russians who worked at a power plant. They were seized a week ago.

Robert talks with Carolyn Lama, mother of a 4-year-old boy who has been recognized by monks as the reincarnation of a Tibetan spiritual leader who died in 1987. The boy, named Sonam Wangdu, will move from Seattle to Katmandu, Nepal on January 25th to be raised by monks. His mother will make periodic visits to Nepal but will continue to live in Seattle.

Linda talks with Thomas L. Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, about his recent trip accompanying Madeleine Albright to African nations on a mission of "preventive diplomacy." Albright is the U-S Ambassador to the United Nations. One country they visited of particular concern is Burundi, where Tutsis have been persecuting Hutus. The Hutu tribe makes up 85 percent of Burundi's population and the Tutsi, 15 percent. The Tutsi control the army and the government. Many observers fear an explosion of violence similar to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

We remember TV and radio writer Philip Rapp, who died at the age of 88 Tuesday in his Beverly Hills home. He created the character "Baby Snooks" for Fanny Brice and the "Battling Bickersons" for Don Ameche and Francis Langford. We hear clips from those two radio skits.

In Chicago an indictment is expected today in a corruption case involving eight public officials, including several alderman. They are accused of accepting bribes in return for city contracts for hauling construction debris. NPR'S Cheryl Corley reports.

Laura Sydell of member station W-N-Y-C in New York City reports on those profiting and trying to profit from one of the largest snow storms of the century.

The Senate Whitewater Committee in hearings today questioned an attorney with the Rose Law Firm of Little Rock, Arkansas. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports testimony before the panel centered on how the law firm began working for a savings and loan and what Hillary Rodham Clinton has said on the subject. The committee chairman, Sen. Alfonse d'Amato, said today he does not plan to call Mrs. Clinton to testify.

Linda talks to Jeff Bowman, business manager of Malden Mills in Methuen, Ma. In December, parts of the mill were destroyed by fire, but the company continued to pay its workers, even though all of them could not work. Slowly, more employees are coming back to work as the mill is repaired.

Wendy Kaufman reports from Seattle on a new law in the State of Washington requiring health insurers to cover non-traditional medical services. These include services for chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. The new law says that if an insurance plan covers treatment for certain conditions, then the insurance company must pay for the treatment regardless of who provides it--as long as the provider is licensed and qualified to do it. The law went into effect on January First.

NPR's John Greenberg reports on the stalled budget talks between the White House and Republicans in Congress. The deadline passed for reaching an agreement last night, and today several government agencies shut down for the second time in a month.

Daniel speaks with NPR's Mike Shuster about the debate over whether NATO forces in Bosnia should assist the War Crimes Tribunal in investigating allegations of mass executions in the former Yugoslavia.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports on the Russian operation to free a hundred hostages held by Chechen rebels. Russian forces attacked the rebels today with artillery, mortar and gunships. Although Russian officials say their military moves are mostly complete, Chechen rebels continue to hold some hostages.

Robert talks with Charles Lewis, the executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, about his book, "The Buying of the President." Lewis' book traces campaign contributions for current presidential candidates as far back as 1979 and identifies the top 10 "career donors."

Alan Cheuse reviews English writer Iris Murdoch's latest novel. The book, "Jackson's Dilemma," is a love story. Cheuse finds it reminiscent of a Shakespearean comedy. (Viking)