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With the election just eight days away, Bob Dole and Bill Clinton are making campaign trips. The Republican nominee is doing a bus trip in electoral vote-rich California. President Clinton is in the Midwest. Today he is is taking credit for a bit of sunny economic news. He told a St. Louis crowd this morning that the country has the smallest budget deficit since 1981. He says that just proves that the economy is on the right track. Republicans credit the healthy economy to their fighting for spending controls. We have reports from both political camps; NPR's Elizabeth Arnold is with the Dole campaign, and Mara Liasson is with the Clinton campaign.

Commentator Bailey White tells the story of her old neighbor Luther, and his newfound love for dancing. This was not the first activity that Luther had passionately seized upon, but this passion was different somehow. White wondered what would become of Luther, now that this dancing spirit had entered his soul.

NPR's John Ydstie reports the economy slowed in the third quarter. Figures released this morning show the nation's gross domestic product expanded 2.2%, far less than the 4.7% achieved in the second quarter.

Commentator Frederica Matthewes-Green says that both sides of the debate about abortion are afraid to talk about the issue this season -- it's the giant issue both the Democrats and the Republicans wish would just go away.

Several recent safety problems at a Connecticut nuclear power plant have prompted the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require nuclear plants across the country to update the safety information they have on file with the NRC. As NPR's Dan Charles reports, it's not clear whether plants are unsafe now, or whether updated safety instructions will make them safe if they're not.

The Democratic National Committee today agreed to begin releasing information on its campaign finances during the first two weeks of October. Previously, the DNC had refused to file a pre-election report with the Federal Election Commission. The Republican National Committee today said it would seek an injunction to prevent the Democrats from spending any campaign money until the FEC report is properly filed. The DNC's record has come under scrutiny in recent weeks because of allegations that it had accepted illegal campaign contributions from foreign individuals and corporations. A former DNC fundraiser, who has been accused of facilitating such contributions, was deposed today in a case involving his work at the Commerce Department. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

Writer Kathleen Norris reads an excerpt from her book "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography," about the landscape of winter and the unique challenge of getting around when the countryside's covered in snow.

Reform Party Presidential candidate Ross Perot addressed a crowd in Boston's Faneuil Hall today. We hear an excerpt of his speech.

NPR's Ann Cooper reports that the United States and other nations are increasingly concerned that fighting in eastern Zaire will lead to a regional war involving Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi. At the same time, the United Nations is trying to figure out how to care for the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have been forced to flee their Zairean camps because of the violence. So far, however, no one has any idea how to end the conflict or help the refugees.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from Vienna on a two-day auction of artwork owned by Jewish families sent to the Nazi death camps. The proceeds benefit needy Holocaust survivors or the families of victims. The artwork had been held by the Austrian government and not returned to the families after the war. The auction is seen as an attempt by the Austrians to make amends for that controversial decision.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Moscow on the jockeying for position to succeed Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin has only been in the Kremlin three weeks since last June and now that he's back in the hospital recovering from pneumonia, there's increased interest in the unofficial race to succeed him. Political observers say one of the leading contedners is a man who has never proclaimed himself a candidate, the mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov ((YUHR-ee LOOZH-koff)).

Robert talks with composer and humorist Peter Schickele (SHICK-uh-lee) about his own compositions and those of the now-legendary P.D.Q. Bach. The musical "discovery" of Bach's 21st child took place while Schickele was living in Fargo, North Dakota in the late 1950's. Since then he has dredged up more than 100 recordings, including the cantata "Knock Knock" and the Concerto for 2 Pianos Vs. Orchestra. (5:15) (STATIONS: the music of P.D.Q Bach is available on both Telarc and Vanguard records.) ((ST

NPR's Brian Naylor reports that the House Ethics Committee today began hearings about the proposed punishment for House Speaker Newt Gingrich. A special counsel has recommended that Gingrich pay a 300 thousand dollar penalty as part of his punishment.

As a public service, NPR has agreed to participate in a program which provides both the Clinton and Dole campaigns with free airtime for unedited campaign statements. Tonight's statement comes from the Democratic candidate, President Bill Clinton.

18-year old Brina Goldfarb recorded her first semester at Brown University for All Things Considered's "Teen Diary" series -- the ingredients include roommate problems, thoughts on making friends, and a gorgeous 'Introduction To Political Thought' professor.

The Minnesota Twins are asking taxpayers to build them a new baseball stadium, and they're offering the public a 49 percent share...of the TEAM. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham reports.

NPR's John McChesney reports that computer-maker Apple is expected to announce a restructuring that will involve selling off parts of the company and substantial layoffs. A decision could come later today or tomorrow.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that the stated US policy of making no concessions to hostage takers has evolved over thirty years of varying experiences under varying administrations with varying results. Despite the policy, the US is prepared to make concessions to hostage-takers when it believes they can help defuse the situation.

NPR's John Burnett reports on how the Christmas season looks to some who don't recognize its religious significance. Some Christians, such as Mennonites and Jehovah's Witnesses, do not celebrate it as the Nativity. For some non-Christians, December 25th is just another day of the week, but others like to follow the secular traditions of the holiday, such as gift-giving.

A fellow Republican Congressman from Georgia said today that House Speaker Newt Gingrich gave "an erroneous statement" to the House Ethics Committee. Representative John Linder blamed Gingrich's then-attorney, Jan Baran, for the errors. Baran announced yesterday that he had dropped Gingrich as a client. The Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Gingrich violated tax laws in regard to a college course he taught, as well as whether he misled investigators. NPR's Peter Overby reports.