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Refugee operations are being shut down at Guantanamo Naval Base. The base at the eastern tip of Cuba became a center of U.S. refugee operations during the summer of 1994, when thousands of Cubans and Haitians trying to reach the United States by boat or raft were intercepted at sea by U.S. Navy ships and brought to Guantanmo. NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports the last Cubans to leave the base will be resettled in the United States by the end of this month.

Noah speaks with Argentinian author Luisa Valenzuela. She talks about Argentina's sudden resurgence of interest in Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron. Much of the country's passion has been stirred by director Alan Parker's choice of Madonna to play Eva Peron in the film version of "Evita," which began shooting in Buenos Aires this week.

Noah speaks with Sherry Folsom of the San Onofre (oh-NO-for- ree) nuclear power plant about four kittens that were discovered late last week in the nuclear power plant. We check in on there progress. The kittens, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Neutron are doing fine and show minimal traces of cesium and cobalt. The kittens had traces of nuclear dust, but Ms. Folsom says they are doing fine and will probably grow up to be healthy cats.

Linda talks with Teresa Tritch, Washington Bureau Chief at Money Magazine about unemployment figures released today. According to the Labor departments figures, unemployment has risen .2 percent to 5.8. It's the first jump in 3 months, the biggest since last spring. Tritch explains that umployment may have jumped because of the Blizzard last month and because of the federal shutdown, but also because of deeper rooted problems in the U-S economy. She suggests that we may be in for a more sluggish economy in the very near future.

NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the process of transforming the hit Tom Hanks movie 'BIG' into a musical for the stage. Susan attended a rehearsal in Detroit, where 'BIG' opens tonight, on its way to Broadway.

Commentator Sister Maureen Fiedler on the movie, "Dead Man Walking." She says Susan Sarandon's portrayal of a nun was superlative. She was pleased to see a nun on the screen who wasn't garbed in the traditional habit with downcast eyes. Rather, the character in the movie was a living, breathing, very human woman.

NPR's Kathy Schalch reports that candidates running for Congress face huge fundraising hurdles, especially if they are newcomers challenging an incumbent. Candidates are told they must raise thousands of dollars weekly just to be competitive. Yet to attract financial backing they also have to show they already have a good chance of winning. And the burden doesn't end with election. Fundraising becomes almost a daily aspect of political life.

Robert speaks with Jerry Fay, the deputy commissioner for the Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue and director of the Child support Enforcement Division, about the state program to track down dead-beat parents. these parents owe child support and the greatest offenders have their faces on "wanted" posters, in the media and on the internet. He says 100,000 parents have arrearages. The wanted posters have been more successful that the internet in nabbing deadbeat parents.

Daniel talks with biologist Thomas Kane, about a cave he has been exploring in rural Romania. This cave is over 5-1/2 million years old, has never been exposed to the sun or the surface -- and contains at least 33 unkown species of insects.

The co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel, died Sunday at the age of 81. Robert talks with Julius Schwartz, editor emeritus at DC Comics. He knew Jerry Siegel for more than 60 years and tells of his contributions to the comic book world.

NPR's Dan Charles reports that researchers are trying to develop new ways to use computers to help disabled people. Blind people are already using computers to compensate for their disability. Researchers say they could have a wide variety of other applications.

The House and Senate passed a sweeping telecommunications bill. It will allow local and long-distance telephone companies and cable companies branch out into each others' business. It would also deregulate cable rates and make it easier for media companies to expand their holdings. NPR's Philip Davis reports.

Robert talks with David Brooks, a senior editor of the The Weekly Standard, about the strong populist theme emerging from the Republicans on the campaign trail. Mr. Buchanan has long been associated with the populist movemment, but now Sen. Bob Dole is jumping in on the act. Dole attacked "corporate greed" yesterday in a speech. But Mr. Brooks questions how genuine Dole's new populist platform really is.

Linda talks to Dr. Owens Wiwa, a Nigerian exile, whose brother Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed in December. Saro-Wiwa was found guilty of inciting others - resulting in murder. Dr. Wiwa fled the country soon after his brother was hanged. He says he wishes the outrage shown after his brother's death came earlier to prevent it. He urges boycotting Nigerian oil.

Robert and Linda read letters from listeners.

Robert and Linda play excerpts from the favorite songs of six of the Republican Presidential Hopefuls and ask the audience to NAME THAT CANDIDATE!

How much does the average guy make? How much does he save? How fast can he run? How much T-V does he watch? Our figures come from current issue of Men's Health magazine.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on a study of lending patterns that shows a remarkable rise in the numbers of mortgage loans given to minorities in 1994. Some credit the pressure of the Community Reinvestment Act, and regulators scrutinizing big bank mergers. Others note that the market is now favoring lower-income borrowers because the banks need their business.

In order to see whether the primary elections are getting as much attention away from New Hampshire and the Beltway, NPR's Mark Roberts talked to shoppers at the Castle Rock Factory Shops mall outside Denver, Colorado.

Noah talks with Marc Ratner, president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, about boxer Tommy Morrison, who publicly announced he has the AIDS virus. Ratner says Morrison's career is essentially over, that it is illegal for him to fight in Nevada, and that he hopes other states will follow suit. Boxing, he says, is a bloodsport, unlike other sports, and that HIV-positive athletes have no place in the ring if there is a chance, no matter how small, of transmission of the virus to another boxer or a ringside observer.