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Republicans now have a slim majority of just six votes in the House of Representatives -- and all 435 seats are on the ballot in November. Democrats are hoping to become the majority if they can sweep the close races on the West Coast. One of the most closely watched of these contests is in California's fabled Silicon Valley, ground zero for the micro-chip and personal computer revolution. NPR's Richard Gonzales reports.

Noah talks to Cathie Carr, Chief Executive Officer of the Escapee RV Club about a fight by RV owners for their right to vote in Polk County, Texas. The RV owners residency is being challenged by Polk County Democrats, on grounds that members of the RV club are constantly traveling, and therefore can not lay claim to a "domicile" in Texas. Carr is furious about the challenge.

NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports on the approval today of the abortion drug RU486. The Food and Drug Administration says the drug is safe and effectively produces an abortion, when used with another commonly available drug. Opponents tried to keep the drug off the market, saying it is unsafe not only for fetuses but also for women. But the FDA said the scientific evidence overwhelmingly favored RU486's approval.

A new study by an advocacy group says putting more people in prison doesn't necessarily result in dropping crime rates. But as NPR's Tovia Smith reports, the study has drawn lots of spirited criticism and debate.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators clashed in Jerusalem today, just after a visit to the city's holiest spot by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon.

An article in today's issue of Nature magazine suggests a large single cell organism is capable of solving a labyrinth, finding the shortest distance between it's entry and exit points. Slime Mould experts say this is far from remarkable.

NPR's Martin Kaste talks to Robert Siegel about the OPEC summit underway in Caracas, Venezuela. This is the first summit of OPEC nations in 25 years. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez convened the summit in a bid to reinvigorate the organization, at a time when member nations are benefiting from soaring oil prices. Yesterday, some member nations warned the west against releasing more oil from strategic reserves, saying it could prompt an OPEC response.

NPR's Richard Knox reports on a new study showing that treating HIV infection within days of its occurrence may restore the immune system. A few patients have even been able to stop therapy altogether. But doctors are warning that patients should not stop therapy without consulting their doctors.

Robert talks with Republican pollster Linda DiVall, and Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, who were part of a team of researchers commissioned to survey women's political attitudes this year, about their findings. DiVall is founder of American Viewpoint. Lake is president of Lake Snell Perry & Associates.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr suggests that radio and TV networks benefit as much from soft money contributions as the political candidates do.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau has died, at the age of 80. Trudeau was prime minister for nearly 16 years, beginning in 1968. His party lost power in a 1979 election, but quickly regained it less than a year later, and Trudeau re-took his post until 1984. He was known as one of Canada's most colorful politicians. Robert talks to Jeffrey Simpson National Affairs Columnist stationed in Ottawa, Canada for "The Globe and Mail" newspaper.

Robert talks to David Macaulay, host of the five-part PBS Television Series "Building Big," and author of the book of the same name, about the secrets of constructing huge structures. Macaulay describes some of the equipment, and techniques used to erect dams, skyscrapers, tunnels and giant domes. (8:00) On the Web, see /www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig. The book, "Building Big," by David Macaulay, is published by Houghton Mifflin, ISBN # 0-395-96331-1, publication date October 2000.

Robert talks to reporter Alex Todorovic, who is in Belgrade. Thousands of opponents of President Slobodan Milosevic began gathering in the streets there tonight. They're voicing support for the man they say won last Sunday's presidential election, Vojislav Kostunica. During the day, police dismantled a platform outside the Yugoslav parliament building, where the demonstration speakers were to address the crowd. To avoid a confrontation, organizers moved the rally. A big turnout is considered vital to Kostunica's effort to win recognition of the election results. The government yesterday admitted Milosevic had come in second. But it says Kostunica failed to win an outright majority, making a run-off necessary.

NPR's Jack Speer reports the U.S. government had to correct its inflation numbers going back to January today, but the correction is a small one and doesn't change the overall picture of a strong economy with stable prices. The government's main inflation gauge, the CPI, was boosted by a tenth of a percent to 2.7% for the period January through August. Separately, the White House announced the budget surplus for the current fiscal year would be about $230 billion.

Ralph Nader is the Green Party nominee for president. He's run before, but this time, the consumer advocate has stepped up his effort. He's raising money, traveling the country, and drawing crowds to hear his pitch that there's little difference between the two major parties and that he is the candidate who will stand up for workers. All Things Considered is airing excerpts from candidate's stump speeches every Wednesday. Today, we hear a portion of one of Nader's.

Charlotte Renner sends an audio postcard from North America's only college of bagpiping. The school, on Canada's Prince Edward Island, is trying to rid the world of bad piping.

Noah talks to Assistant Principal Athletic Director Richard Hoopes of Star Valley High School, in Afton, Wyoming. Hoopes used to coach Rulon Gardner in wrestling. Gardner has won Olympic gold in Greco-Roman wrestling. Hoopes says his former student called him this morning at 2:30 to tell him about his win.

Last night, Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore was on MTV. He took part in a political special co-sponsored by Time Magazine and the MTV youth vote campaign, "Choose or Lose." All Things Considered Host Linda Wertheimer talked to students who participated in the session.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from Copenhagen, where voters are preparing to take part in tomorrow's referendum on Danish membership in the European Monetary Union. A "yes" vote would mean adopting the Euro. The Danish Prime Minister handed out roses in the streets today, hoping to persuade Danes to vote for membership. The Euro's tumbling value in recent weeks could dampen support for joining the single currency. But "no" vote activists say their main objection to the Euro is that abandoning their national currency amounts to a loss of national sovereignty. Polls indicate the vote is too close to call.

Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush stopped in Saginaw, Michigan today and made energy policy his theme. Using a manufacturing and engineering center as his backdrop, he talked about the growing economy's need for growing fuel sources -- and the importance of keeping those sources politically and militarily secure. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.