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NPR's Barbara Bradley covers wire reports that Independent Counsel Robert Ray has convened a new grand jury to hear evidence about the sex scandal involving President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Ray is concerned with whether the president committed perjury in his testimony about the matter. The White House is questioning the timing of the the news leaks about this new grand jury, which was reportedly seated in July, as they come on the same day Vice President Al Gore is to address the Democratic Convention.

As wildfires burn across the U-S, Asia and Europe, NPR's John Nielsen reports on scientists' efforts to understand and predict the behavior of fires. The method of prediction is similar to the way that meteorologists forecast the behavior of hurricanes and tornadoes.

Noah talks to Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Brands, a pilot with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, about the use of the C-130 transport plane in fighting western wildfires. Brands discusses why the C-130 aircraft is used, how it flies, and strategies for dropping fire retardant.

Before the Democratic Convention, Linda talked with several women from Ohio who are undecided voters and are looking to the conventions for signals as to how they should vote. We heard their conversation Monday. This week, Linda is checking back with them to hear their reactions as the Democratic convention progresses. Today we hear from Mary Curran about whether Joe Lieberman's speech helped persuade her one way or the other. She says yes ... and no.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports from Jakarta, Indonesia, that former President Suharto is set to go on trial on charges of corruption. The 79-year-old Suharto is accused of amassing a fortune, along with his family, during his more than 30 years in power. But proving the case against the aging general won't be easy as much of his wealth has been disguised or transferred overseas. Lawyers for Suharto say he is too ill to be put on trial. The case has divided Indonesia as the country remains enmeshed in economic and political instability.

Al Gore will give the biggest political speech of his life tonight at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. As he accepts his party's nomination for president, Gore will reintroduce himself to the American people, hoping to demonstrate that he has the substance and the character to lead the nation. NPR's Anthony Brooks has traveled with the campaign for much of the year and reports tonight from L.A.

Noah reads letters from All Things Considered listeners. Subjects this week include Robert Trout's reports on Democratic conventions of the 1940's, political theater, and musical theater -- West Side Story. (3:15) Please Note: To contact All Things Considered, write to All Things Considered Letters, 635 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001. The e-mail address is atc@npr.org.

NPR's Barbara Bradley reports on issues surrounding the new grand jury empanelled by Independent Counsel Robert Ray to investigate President Clinton. Legal experts say Ray may have needed a new grand jury to look at new evidence, or simply to get the subpoena power necessary to tie up loose ends. Since he took over the office from Kenneth Starr, Ray has said he was not ruling out the possibility of trying to indict Clinton after his presidential term ends.

With her hair neatly braided, the girl sat next to her baby brother, dressed for an outing, complete with a backpack and note — but their parents were nowhere to be found, the U.S. Border Patrol said.

Conventions have as many meanings as they have participants. Most of the people involved in the political process make their own contribution and experience the event in their own ways. NPR's Andy Bowers offers several vignettes from this week's convention.

It's the final installment of call-outs to undecided female voters in suburban Ohio -- a key group to win over in the upcoming Presidential election. Today, Linda checks in with Gina Cronan for her reaction to Vice President Al Gore's speech last night. Gina is a working mom from University Heights, Ohio. She's a life-long Republican but has not been pleased with Texas Governor George W. Bush. Last night, Gina says, Gore won her over -- in large part by his discussion of key issues.

Noah checks back with Stacy Jessop, a Montana middle school teacher who was evacuated to a Red Cross shelter to avoid wildfires which were burning perilously close to her house. She's returning home today.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on efforts to improve the safety of development in fire prone areas. Regulations against building in high fire risk areas are most effective, but still pretty rare. In some communities, people and their neighbors, insurers and local officials have taken the task of "fire-proofing" into their own hands.

Vice President Al Gore kicked-off his Mississippi River campaign tour today. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports that, with a hoarse voice, Gore is charging through the heartland searching for votes. People interviewed along the way give their reviews of Gore's speech last night accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.

Unions say talks have intensified, the company says a deal is within reach, but Verizon telecommunications workers are still on strike and without a contract. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports the main disputes revolve around work transfers and mandatory overtime. One participating union had threatened to bolt the talks, but backed off, saying that "significant progress" has been made.

NPR's Daniel Zwerdling traveled to Nicaragua to report on a new twist in the ever expanding global economy. As international companies travel the world in search of cheap labor, some workers are trying to form unions to demand better wages and better conditions. Zwerdling tells the story of Chentex, a Taiwanese consortium that was attracted to Nicaragua because the nation offered space in an industrial park, no taxes for the first ten years and lots of people willing to work for low wages. But unlike many developing nations where "sweatshops' are set-up, Nicaragua has a history of unions. Under the Sandinistas, peasants and factory workers were encouraged to unionize. When the workers, mostly women, tried to organize at the Chentex factory they were fired and harassed. The way the workers see it, the government made a kind of pact with the devil and they need unions to protect themselves. The way the government sees it, international companies offer employment and a much needed economic boost. The way the companies see it, they are not anti-union, and they are offering work and wages in places where none would exist without them.

Linda talks with E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and David Brooks of the Weekly Standard about Vice President Al Gore's speech last night at the Democratic Convention. It was a speech in which Gore asserted he was "his own man" -- promising a vision for America's future. The speech was packed with a laundry list of specific issues he promised to tackle -- including healthcare, campaign finance reform and needs of the working and middle class.

Mark Moran of member station KJZZ in Phoenix reports the latest information on Senator John McCain's health. The senator has had a recurrence of skin cancer and has been meeting with his doctors.

Noah Adams talks with sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics trials in Boston. Several members of the women's team which won a gold medal in 1996 are trying to make the team again. Interestingly, women's coach Bela Karoly has been given unprecedented power to select the team from among the top finishers at the trials. Usually, the team consists of the top six finishers at the trials.

NPR's Peter Kenyon is following the George W. Bush campaign. With the Democratic convention over, the Republican nominee got right back out on the road today, trying to limit any post-convention bounce for Gore. Bush started today in Gore's home state of Tennessee, and told the crowd he could win there.