National

White House Pressed to Stir Revolt in Iran

May 31, 2003 • A variety of outside forces are quietly influencing the Bush administration's thinking on Iran, many with an eye toward supporting unrest aimed at the current regime. The exiled son of the former Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, is part of the debate. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

Arrest of Serial-Killing Suspect Eases Louisiana's Fears

May 31, 2003 • Relief is palpable in southern Louisiana after Tuesday's arrest of suspected serial killer Derrick Todd Lee. He's suspected in the deaths of at least five women in and around Baton Rouge. Two were students at Louisana State University. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

Bomb Suspect Rudolph Held

May 31, 2003 • A man believed to be Eric Rudolph -- accused of the fatal 1996 bombing in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park and other bombings -- is under arrest in North Carolina. Rudolph had eluded capture for years, but police say he was spotted rummaging through a trash can in western North Carolina. NPR News reports.

Bomb Suspect Rudolph Held

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Bomb Suspect Rudolph Arrested

May 31, 2003 • A North Carolina police officer arrests fugitive Eric Robert Rudolph, the man suspected in a series of bombings that included the fatal 1996 explosion at Atlanta's Olympic Park. The FBI and other authorities had searched in vain for Rudolph for more than five years. NPR's Kathy Lohr reports.

Bomb Suspect Rudolph Held

May 31, 2003 • A man believed to be Eric Robert Rudolph -- accused of the fatal 1996 bombing in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park and other attacks -- is under arrest in North Carolina. Rudolph had eluded capture for more than five years, but authorities say he was spotted Saturday rummaging through a dumpster in western North Carolina. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Kathy Lohr.

Hurricane Evacuation Plans Prompt Debate

May 30, 2003 • As hurricane season begins, Louisiana and Mississippi scramble to establish evacuation routes. An approaching hurricane could force as many as one million people to flee coastal homes. But state officials disagree on evacuation methods. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports.

Group Fights Effort to Recall California's Davis

May 30, 2003 • A petition drive to recall California Gov. Gray Davis has supporters of the second-term Democrat concerned enough to form a group opposed to the effort. Critics say Davis has mismanaged the state's finances. But similar recall efforts have targeted every California governor since 1950. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel, Republican Ted Costa and Democrat Dan Terry.

Science

On the Edge, Timbuktu, Part 4

May 30, 2003 • In the final report of a four-part NPR/National Geographic Radio Expedition to Mali, Chadwick descends into one of the biggest salt mines in the Sahara Desert, where West African miners still extract salt by hand, the way it's been done for centuries. Such mines have been the destination of camel caravans for at least a millennium.

Culture

JFK, 'An Unfinished Life'

May 30, 2003 • A new book on President Kennedy has attracted attention because of the disclosure that he had sex with a White House intern. But some historians dispute author Robert Dallek's assertion that Kennedy's presidency was not damaged by his risky sexual behavior and bad health. In an extended interview with NPR's Juan Williams, Dallek discusses Kennedy's medical history and his assassination.

Homeland Security Costs Divide Congress, White House

May 30, 2003 • The Bush administration proposes diverting money approved for port security to beef up security at the nation's airports. Lawmakers oppose the transfer, but the administration says it has little choice. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Business

Student Loan Rates to Hit All-Time Low

May 29, 2003 • Interest rates for college student loans are expected to fall to their lowest levels in the history of the student loan program, the Education Department says. Many students scramble to lock in low rates by consolidating loans. Hear NPR's Chris Arnold.

Defense Seeks Dismissal of Death Penalty in Sniper Case

May 29, 2003 • In Virginia, lawyers for alleged sniper suspect John Muhammad argue that one of the capital charges he faces should be thrown out because alleged accomplice Lee Malvo has already confessed to the crime. Muhammad will head to trial this fall for one of the Washington, D.C.-area sniper shootings that left 10 dead last October. Hear NPR's Larry Abramson.

New Tax Break for Biggest SUVs

May 29, 2003 • Small business owners looking to buy a big truck or a luxury sport-utility vehicle will get a huge tax break under legislation signed by President Bush. A clause allows a tax break for purchase of vehicles weighing at least three tons. Environmental groups say many of the vehicles in question get very poor mileage and the government shouldn't be providing incentives to buy gas guzzlers. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Radio Expeditions

On the Edge, Timbuktu, Part 3

May 29, 2003 • In the third of a four-part National Geographic Radio Expedition, NPR's Alex Chadwick follows Wade Davis to Araouane, a caravan town at least 1,000 years old.

Police Questioned on Handling of Serial Killer Case

May 29, 2003 • Suspected serial killer Derrick Todd Lee will appear in a Baton Rouge courtroom on charges of raping and murdering five women over the last two years. Police in nearby communities revisit unsolved cases for possible connections to Lee. And authorities face criticism about their 10-month-long investigation. Hear NPR's Greg Allen.