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NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports on how the issue of education has evolved since the last presidential campaign. Four years after George Bush and Bill Clinton vied for the right to be the "education president," the Republicans competing for their party's nomination have fought strongly against the idea that Washington should have any role in education. When Bob Dole, Steve Forbes and Pat Buchanan do bring up educational issues in their campaigns, America's schools often appear as an example of a larger moral decline these candidates say they will reverse if they get to the White House.

A court in Little Rock has been hearing opening statements today in a case in which President Clinton is expected to testify. A special prosecutor is making a fraud case against the president's former business partners James and Susan McDougal and Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports from Little Rock that one prosecution witness says then-Governor Clinton pressured him to make a government-guaranteed loan to Mrs. McDougal. Mr. Clinton denies the allegation.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that the US has confirmed it is sending a second aircraft carrier to international waters near Taiwan. The move is to underline US insistence that China and Taiwan resolve their differences peacfully, as required by longstanding agreements.

NPR's David Welna reports on the very different perceptions in Havana and Washington of the Helms-Burton bill, signed into law today by President Clinton. Backers of the bill in Congress say it will hasten Fidel Castro's downfall by tightening the US embargo. But Cuban officials, while denouncing the bill, say they don't expect it to have much economic impact. In Washington, President Clinton's top adviser on Cuba says the bill gives the president less room to maneuver in dealing with Castro.

Daniel meets up with this 22 year old African American comedian who now stars in a new ABC program called "Buddies". The sit-com has received some poor reviews but Chappelle is drawing positive attention. Much of Chappelle's humor focuses on racial issues, but Chappelle says he's not trying to offend people - he just wants them to think.

NPR's John Nielsen reports that Secretary of State Warren Christopher today said a U-S carrier group will move closer to Taiwan in the coming days. The announcement comes as China stages missile tests -- as well as live ammunition tests -- off Taiwan's coast. Appearing on N-B-C's "Meet the Press," Christopher said the carrier battle group will be in what he calls a "position to be helpful if they need to be." The missile tests are aimed at discouraging Taiwan's pro-democracy movement in advance of presidential elections on March 23rd. Christopher says China's actions "smack of intimidation and coercion." He also says they're "reckless" and "risky."

We remember the actor Vince Edwards, who died today at age 67 from pancreatic cancer. Edwards played Dr. Ben Casey in the 1960s TV series of that name.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports on the 60th anniversary of Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports.

Noah talks to Judy Wiesman (WIS-man), the mayor of Weyauwega (wy-uh-WEE-guh), Wisconsin about a train accident in the town. On Monday, 35 cars of a Wisconsin Central Ltd. train derailed. Propane from the cars ignited and caused a fire that destroyed a feed mill and continues to burn. Weyauwega residents who were evacuated may have to stay away from their homes for as long as three weeks before the danger of fire has passed.

NPR's John McChesney reports that one-time rivals Microsoft and America on Line reached an agreement today that would put AOL on every computer running Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system. The agreement comes less than a year after America on Line and other on-line services argued strenuously that the advent of the Microsoft Network last summer would give the software giant an unfair advantage over the on-line providers.

Linda talks with NPR's national political correspondent Elizabeth Arnold about the endorsement of Sen. Bob Dole's campaign today by Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Dole hopes to cement his hold on his party's presidential nomination by picking up the support of voters in states participating in next Tuesday's ``Super Tuesday'' primary. Dole planned to spend his day in Texas.

Noah speaks with NPR's Wendy Kaufman on the decision today by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to strike down Washington State's ban on assisted suicide. It's the first federal appeals court ruling on the issue and states that the Constitution supports a person's right to end his or her life.

Linda Wertheimer speaks with Dr. Richard Davey, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, about the safety of the U.S. blood supply. Dr. Davey explains that the blood supply is extremely safe and that a new test which will detect the presence of HIV instead of the HIV antibody, will make the blood supply even safer.

Commentator Elissa Ely talks about her brief flirtation with the legal profession as a member of her high school debating team. Examining her old text book and the notes scribbled into the margins, she sees in them the signs of a non-lawyer to be.

NPR's Elaine Korry reports that the Supreme Courts of California and New York are reviewing cases that could change the way courts handle so-called "move away" cases. In many courts, a divorced parent with custody of a child risks losing that custody if he or she moves out of the area where the non-custodial parent lives, even if the move is for important financial reasons. Non-custodial parents say its unfair for them to lose visitation rights just because the ex-spouse decided to move. Custodial parents, usually women, complain this makes it difficult for them to seek better schooling or a new job just when they need it most.

Daniel talks with Leila Gupta of UNICEF, who heads that group's trauma recovery team in Rwanda. UNICEF is spearheading an effort in Rwanda to help the children of that country cope with the emotional consequences of genocide.

Tom Gjelten reports from Sarajevo that some Serbs who live in the suburbs want to stay on after their neighborhoods are transferred to Bosnian government control. However, Serb thugs are threatening, intimidating and beating up those who are reluctant to leave.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports that a dispute has erupted in the medical community about how aggressive doctors should be about testing cholesterol levels. The American College of Physicians, which represents family doctors, today issued new guidelines for cholesterol screening that calls for less aggressive testing than the current federal government's recommendations.

NPR's John Nielsen reports that public broadcasters testified before The House Telecommunications Subcommittee today, in response to a republican proposal intended to move public radio and television off federal supports by the year 2000. The broadcasters objected to the 1-billion-dollar cap on a proposed trust fund contained in the legislation and complained that other provisions would bring too much commercial pressure to bear on public broadcasting. But disagreement surfaced among the panelists over whether the proposal would shift too much power from local independent stations to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Wales celebrates its patron saint, St. David, today. St. David, the Waterman, was called Dewi in Welsh. He is credited with winning a victory over the Saxons - who back in the fifth century - ruled what is now England. St. David told Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their helmets so they could recognize each other on the battlefield. To mark the day, we hear the Welsh group YR Huntws (YEAR- HOON-tuss) singing a traditional Welsh hymm "The Bishop and the Peasant" or Yr Esgob A'R Gwiladwr (publisher Sain Publi