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NPR's Joanne Silberner reports on the birth of a test tube baby intended from birth to help his sister. The sister is six years old and has a rare disease that prevents her from creating her own bone marrow. The disease is treatable by transplanting cells from blood taken from the umbilical cord at birth, but the cells must match or they'll prove troublesome. So a Colorado couple had several embryos created and then selected the one most likely to provide the best transplant. The boy is now five weeks old, and cells from his umbilical cord have been transplanted to his sister.

NPR's Phillip Martin reports on Asian Americans who believe government and media handling of the Wen Ho Lee case exemplifies the power of lingering anti-Asian prejudice in American culture. Activists and civil rights advocates say the stereotype of the 'model minority' quickly melted into the older canard of the Asian American as suspicious, perpetually foreign and potentially disloyal. It's an attitude that worsens whenever there's tension between the U.S. and any Asian country or when an Asian or Asian American is the subject of bad news.

Commentator Mark Hertsgaard says the Commission on Presidential Debates makes it nearly impossible for any candidate -- except those from the Democratic and Republican parties -- to participate. He says the debates are essential to any candidacy, and exclusionary rules help the two big parties retain their monopoly over the political system.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's arguments before the Supreme Court on whether police should be allowed to stop cars at random and expose them to drug-sniffing dogs. The case from Indianapolis involved a roadblock-style action, similar to sobriety checkpoints. In this case, the motorist had no drugs, but was outraged, saying his privacy had been invaded by the dog search. Police say the dog search is no more invasive than the alcohol roadblock, which the court has upheld. Today, the justices asked both sides where a line could be drawn between checking for impaired drivers and those who are transporting illegal goods.

NPR's Guy Raz reports Germany is marks ten years since reunification today. Most observers agree the benefits for the formerly communist East outweigh the drawbacks. There's much talk of high unemployment in the East. But residents of former East Germany are enjoying higher standards of living. German and foreign leaders alike hailed the achievements of reunification at a ceremony in Dresden today. The architect of German unity, ex-chancellor Helmut Kohl, was notably absent from today's festivities. His reputation has been tainted by a political funding scandal.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on what both Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush need to do in their debate tonight. With polls showing the two presidential candidates running in a dead heat, and indications that the broadcast might reach an audience of 75-million Americans, what happens tonight could go a long way in determining who will be the 43rd president of the United States.

A blue ribbon panel of researchers issued a report today on the state of America's youngest children -- from infants to five-year-olds. The National Academy of Sciences report lists a number of far-reaching policy changes that it says should be implemented, including better childcare, better training and pay for providers, and more family leave. NPR's Claudio Sanchez examines the report, and how it contributes to the debate over education and public policy in this election year.

The National Academy of Sciences study also points to a growing need to identify and treat those children who are at risk for serious mental health issues problems -- in many cases those children that have been neglected or abused. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports on what kind of children need early intervention, and what kind of programs there are available to help them.

For the third straight day there is violence in Jerusalem, with as many as 12 casualties today and hundreds of injuries. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that drag queens will be a feature of the Olympic closing ceremonies in Sydney. The thought that somehow drag queens are associated with all things Australian has a lot of people up in arms but others say female impersonation has a long history in Australia and deserves to be represented in tomorrow's events.

Satirist Dale Connelly of Minnesota Public Radio imagines the testimony of Hollywood executives this week, when they explained to members of Congress why they sometimes test and market R-rated films to youngsters.

H.L. Mencken coined the term "Bible Belt" for the Southern states where religion is a prominent part of daily life. As NPR's Debbie Elliott reports, an entrepreneur in Mississippi is hoping to cash in on that label ... with his "Bible-Belt Buckles."

Country singer Charley Pride will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this coming Wednesday, when he becomes the first African American artist so honored. He's won three Grammy Awards, had more than 50 singles on the charts and more than half in the Top 10, including the Number One hit "Kiss An Angel Good Morning". Host Jacki Lyden talks to him about his career.

Presidential hopefuls spend months campaigning in Iowa to win the important Iowa caucuses. But in the general election, Iowa, and its main industry, agriculture, don't get much attention. Host Jacki Lyden talks to corn and soybean farmers Jack Kintzle of Coogon and Bill Horan of Rockwell City ... about their concerns as farmers and business owners this election year.

Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush meet in Boston Tuesday for the first of three presidential debates. Both campaigns are eagerly playing DOWN their candidates' chances. NPR's Peter Kenyon looks back on how the two men have performed in earlier face-offs.

Despite the eruption on the Canary island that has sent thousands fleeing, including some 500 tourists, Spain's tourism minister said visitors should stay and "enjoy what nature has brought us."

The Dow Jones slumped over 600 points as financial troubles at property developer China Evergrande Group became the latest in a growing list of concerns for Wall Street.

Prominent Republicans are threatening to sue over the Biden administration's efforts to use federal power and incentives to mandate vaccines for large employers and healthcare workers.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with author Giulio Boccaletti about his new book Water: A Biography, which takes readers through the complex and surprising history of humanity and water.

Alabama's top health official says the state has "literally shrunk." According to preliminary data, it saw 64,714 total deaths and 57,641 births in 2020.