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All Things Considered Host Robert Siegel is in Philadelphia where the Republican Party convention opened today. He reports that the GOP goal is for a largely controversy-free meeting to demonstrate party unity. That plan got off to a good start today as the party passed its platform with little dissent.

The Republican convention that began today, and its Democratic counterpart that begins in two weeks are underwritten by taxpayer financing. Each major party gets $13.5 million for its four-day nominating extravaganza. The public funding was supposed to fee the parties from their dependence on private sponsors for these events. But the parties have found ways to accept private donations as well. NPR's Peter Overby reports the conventions are now more elaborate and expensive than ever.

Youth Radio reporter Amit Paley speaks to young Republicans at this year's convention. The GOP is drawing more and more people between the ages of 18 and 24. Many are drawn by the parties position on taxes and social security---others are hoping to be a moderating force on the social issues.

Robert talks to Jack Randorff, the acoustical engineer in charge of sound at the Republican Convention. It's Randorff's job to make sure everyone at the convention -- and perhaps more importantly, the broadcast audience -- can hear the sounds of the gavel, and the voices of the speakers. (2:30)NOTE: MUSIC HEARD HERE WAS THE ESKIMO "MOUTH BOW" VERSION OF THE "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" THEME, PLAYED BY JOHN PALMES OF JUNEAU, ALASKA

At the University of Dayton today, George Bush addressed one of the biggest crowds of his campaign, more than 3,000 people. He talked about education, social security, strengthening the military, and promoted his wife Laura's speech tonight to the Republican National Convention. After the rally, Bush rode with Mrs. Bush to the airport to see her off to Philadelphia. NPR's Don Gonyea is traveling with the campaign, Linda talked with him this afternoon.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that George W. Bush will have to mask his true colors if he is to emerge from the Republican National Convention with the support of both the overwhelmingly conservative delegates and the more moderate general public.

NPR's Larry Abramson looks at the FBI's controversial Internet eavesdropping device, known as "Carnivore." Twenty-eight members of Congress have called on the FBI to stop using Carnivore because, depending on how it is programmed, it has the potential to invade the privacy of innocent citizens. But, if programmed to delete information unrelated to its search, a Carnivore tap on Internet communications can be less intrusive than court-approved wiretaps on telephones.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study today that concludes that the falling murder and suicide rates in America are not related to the 1994 Brady law to regulate handgun purchases. The study's authors say the findings illustrate the enormous impact of the unregulated gun market on crime. Independent scientists say the research is sound -- but its ability to judge the effectiveness of gun control is limited.

The International Olympic Committee's medical commission today approved a combined blood and urine test to detect the banned performance-enhancing drug EPO. The decision must be approved by the IOC's executive board meeting later this month, but experts said it is very likely the new test will be used during the Sydney games in September. Finding a reliable test for EPO, which up to now has been virtually undetectable, has been a priority for the Olympic movement. EPO stimulates the production of oxygen-rich blood cells and is popular with endurance athletes. NPR's Tom Goldman reports.

Writer and editor William Maxwell has died at the age of 91. Maxwell was on staff at The New Yorker for forty years, where he worked with many famous authors -- including J.D. Salinger and John Updike.

All Things Considered Host Robert Siegel is at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia this week, where "diversity" is one of the watchwords. Minority orators, singers, even dancers are fixtures on the podium, applauded enthusiastically by the largely white audience. This hasn't always been the experience of African-American Republicans, who often feel isolated in their party and their communities. NPR's Wade Goodwyn went to Philadelphia's African-American Museum today, where he talked to many black women who are delegates to the convention.

San Francisco's high rate of pedestrian street deaths. The city has more killed than any other city in the nation, twice the rate of New York City. Councilwoman Mabel Teng issued a report on Monday with recommendations on how the city can combat the problem.

NPR's Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem reports the government of Prime Minister Ehud Barak has survived yet another "no confidence" vote in the Israeli parliament.

Veteran Broadcaster Robert Trout casts back to his early days as a reporter covering politics, to tell the story of the Republican Party's slide from a majority party to the minority in the 1930's and 1940's. For its first seventy years, the GOP was the dominant party. But from Hoover's loss to Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election until now, Republicans have been playing catch-up to the Democrats. This is the first of two reports.

At the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Robert Siegel asked the question What do you want to hear from Governor Bush tonight? to several delegates on the floor of the First Union Center last night. Some delegates want to hear about faith-based organizations, appointing future Supreme Court justices. Some people want Bush to continue on themes of unity, compassion, and inclusion. Some delegates want him to avoid topics like abortion and impeachment. And some people say it's not so much what he should say, but how he should appear to the American people -- confident, compassionate, authentic.

David Greenberger reviews The Unaccompanied Voice, a collection of songs by two dozen performers singing a cappella.

NPR's Sarah Chayes reports from Paris that investigators say it's too early to tell what exactly brought down the Concorde supersonic jet that crashed last week. The Accident and Inquiry office says investigators have identified a fuel leak as one of a number of problems with the plane.

Linda Wertheimer talks by phone with three Republican voters about their reactions to what they've seen of the Republican National Convention on television so-far. She speaks first with Faye Schwartz, an independent financial advisor in Portland, Oregon. Then she talks to Betha Wade a retired teacher, who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Finally, Kate Fowler, a University of Colorado student who is living in Chicago for the summer.

Hypnosis is often thought to be a gimmick, not a real state of mind. But a new study uses P-E-T scans to test the theory that hypnosis actually has a biological basis. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

The FCC reports that the market for fast Internet connections is growing rapidly, with the number of residential subscribers about tripling over the past year. But in its annual survey of access to broadband service, the agency says access is still expensive or not available for people in rural or inner city areas. The report adds that some areas might never get service with current technologies because it's simply too expensive.