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The Commerce Department released figures today showing a sharp drop in industrial production during January. Jim Zarroli reports the government data is just one more sign that the economy has slowed considerably over the past year. But some economists say the picture may not be as bad as today's numbers suggest.

President Clinton has nominated Federal Reserve board chairman Alan Greenspan to a third four-year term at the nation's central bank. In addition, the president moved to fill two open slots at the Fed, nominating his budget director, Alice Rivlin, and St. Louis economist Laurence Meyer for vacant seats on the board. The renomination of Greenspan was expected and it has the support of the financial markets. NPR's White House correspondent Mara Liasson reports.

Commentator Elissa Ely tells about the gentleman bandits who break parking meters on busy streets to give everyone free parking. She revels in the sense of liesure and freedom that this illegal act has afforded her, but comes to realize that these bandits can also strike when one is least prepared.

Surveys of doctors in Michigan and Oregon show that a majority of physicians would like to see assisted suicide legalized. NPR's Don Gonyea reports that even if it becomes legal, many physicians say it's difficult to ascertain which patients should receive their assistance.

Daniel talks with Lois Ann Yamanaka, the author of the book "Wild Meat and Bully Burgers." Her book is loosely based on her own life as a Japanese-American growing up in Hawaii. She described how difficult it was being poor and of Japanese decent in a society where being white is considered being "the best." She also talks of the things she tried to do to be accepted and how ashamed she was in her early years of her family and family heritage.

Noah talks to filmmaker Tim Robbins and his brother composer David Robbins, about their collaboration on producing the soundtrack to Tim Robbins' new film, "Dead Man Walking." Most of the music on the CD is not in the film; they approached a myriad of singers and songwriters with early cuts of the film for inspiration.

Satire from Harry Shearer and an idea for helping to pay for a costly presidential bid.

Noah talks with Kathy Landoldt, a dairy farmer just south of Tillamook in Oregon, about the flooding there. When the she and her husband returned to their farm after evacuating, they were surprised to find most of their livestock living. Some cows had water up to their chins and her husband had to milk them underwater.

Alan Cheuse reviews a new novel by British writer Pier Paul Read. It's a thriller set in post Cold-War Berlin. The book is published by Random House.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the Compuserve online service has reinstated most of the 200 discussion groups it had banned after German authorities complained about sexually explicit material on the internet. Compuserve said it was distributing software "filters" which will allow users to restrict access to certain newsgroups available through Compuserve.

NPR's White House correspondent Mara Liasson reports on the White House announcement today that First Lady Hillary Clinton will respond in writing, as she has in the past, to questions from the Senate Whitewater committee. She has also been subpoened to testify before a grand jury investigating the Whitewater affair.

NPR's White House correspondent Mara Liasson reports on President Clinton's opportunity to deliver a message to the nation tonight in his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress.

Commentator Mickey Edwards tries to make sense out of who is endorsing whom among the pack of Republican presidential contenders.

Robert talks with Hamid Araghie (aw-RAW-ghee), a journalist in Tehran about the arrival of Minister Louis Farrakhan in Iran and the reaction to a speech Farrakhan made yesterday at a rally celebrating the 1979 deposition of the Shah.

NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that the indications of Yassar Arafat's impressive victory in the Palestinian elections last weekend may not be as straightforward as they seem.

Satirist Harry Shearer imagines what might have occurred when President Clinton consulted with humorist Garrison Keillor in preparation for the State of the Union address. Keillor supplies windy parable; Clinton's interest drops. He dumps Keillor in the Green Room with "standees" - people who might get up during speech and take a bow.

NPR's Jon Greenberg reports on the testimony the Senate Whitewater Committee heard today from former White House communication director Mark Gearan. Gearan was asked about notes he took during a White House meeting just over two years ago regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor -- a move the First Lady opposed but one that the President called for.

NPR's Joe Palca reports that a new study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences found that the risk of cancer from both natural and unnatural carcinogens in food is neglible. While some foods contain chemicals that can cause cancer in animals, the levels are so low they pose no real dange, the report says. That especially true when compared to the risk for cancer from other things, such as eating too much fat, the report says.

Republicans campaigning in New Hampshire frequently mention young people, citing changes that have to be made "for the sake of our children and grand children." NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Jonathan Baer have talked to groups of young people and find many of their concerns are not being discussed.

Sandy Tolan reports that the presidential campaign of commentator Pat Buchanan has attracted a broad array of followers in Arizona, which holds its Republican primary on Tuesday. Followers include dissillusioned members of militia groups, anti-abortion activists, blue collar workers worred about job security and those concerned about a general erosion of values.(8:00) (EDITORS: Please note that aproximately 20-25 seconds into the piece, the first actuality contains the word "faggots." The full sentence reads: "I've been hit up twice in my life by faggots, and the last one who tried, i nearly kil