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National

Monday

Bush Tells Coast Guard: War is Going Well

In a visit to the Coast Guard in Philadelphia, President Bush delivers an upbeat assessment of the war in Iraq. Bush says day by day, allied forces are moving closer to Baghdad and victory. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Bush Tells Coast Guard: War is Going Well

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Sept. 11 Panel Hears from Survivors

The federal commission created to investigate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks holds its first public meeting in New York City. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States opens with testimony from survivors, and from relatives of those who were killed. Hear WNYC's Beth Fertig.

Sept. 11 Panel Hears from Survivors

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Homeland Security Funds Slow to Reach States

Pressure builds on the Bush administration to speed the delivery of homeland security funds to state and local governments. Officials say red tape is holding up access to much-needed federal dollars. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Homeland Security Funds Slow to Reach States

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Congress Considers Raising Limits on Student Loans

Lawmakers in Congress debate whether to increase the amount of money students can borrow from the federal government to pay for college. As more states are forced to raise tuition, some groups argue it's time to let students borrow more to cover the higher costs. NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports.

Congress Considers Raising Limits on Student Loans

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Business

War Costs, Tax Cuts Top Agenda for Congress

Congress is expected to approve President Bush's $75-billion request to fund the war in Iraq, but the House and Senate must reconcile differences over the size of a proposed tax cut. The House passed the president's package, worth $726 billion over 10 years. But the war's growing price tag makes the Senate reluctant to sign off on the entire amount. NPR's David Welna reports.

War Costs, Tax Cuts Top Agenda for Congress

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World

Pentagon: Iraq Weakening

Pentagon officials say they're starting to see a breakdown among Republican Guard forces outside Baghdad as ground battles and heavy airstrikes take their toll. The Pentagon also raises the possibility that Saddam Hussein is dead or in flight. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Pentagon: Iraq Weakening

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States Rethink Confession Privileges

In the wake of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal, states attempt to craft new laws to prevent such crimes. Many states protect the privacy of confession, but some lawmakers are rethinking those privileges. They argue if the church came forward about abuse revealed in confessions, it could prevent future abuse. NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty reports.

States Rethink Confession Privileges

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High Court to Consider Tribal Sovereignty Case

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a California case that may define the boundaries of Native American tribal sovereignty. At issue is whether local law enforcement officials can force tribal governments to turn over evidence in criminal investigations. NPR's Andy Bowers reports.

High Court to Consider Tribal Sovereignty Case

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World

Urban Fighting in Iraq Grows

The number of U.S. and British troops engaging in street fighting and conducting house-to-house searches in Iraq grows, suggesting an end to the "shock and awe" phase of the war in Iraq. U.S.-led forces fight near Najaf, Karbala and Nasiriyah in the Euphrates River valley. NPR's Bob Edwards talks to NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Urban Fighting in Iraq Grows

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World

Rumsfeld Defends U.S. War Plan

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dismisses claims the United States was unprepared for the ground war in Iraq and says there will be no delay in the push toward Baghdad. NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Tom Ricks of The Washington Post.

Rumsfeld Defends U.S. War Plan

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Sunday

Culture

Military Families Track Troops Through the Media

The Pentagon's practice of embedding reporters with U.S.-led troops in Iraq has an unexpected consequence. Many military families can keep better track of their loved ones through the news media than through infrequent e-mails and phone calls. NPR's Linda Wertheimer reports.

Military Families Track Troops Through the Media

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World

Baghdad Airstrikes Increase

Fires burn in Baghdad as the U.S.-led bombardment of the city and nearby Republican Guard positions reportedly steps up in frequency. Inside the city, the infrastructure begins to degrade as telephones fail and supply shortages threaten. Yet, reporters in the city say Saddam's regime seems in complete control. Hear Paul Eedle.

Baghdad Airstrikes Increase

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ACLU Membership Increases Since Sept. 11 Attacks

A year and a half after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, membership in the American Civil Liberties Union continues to grow. But the ACLU's refusal to negotiate on some issues has also alienated former allies, who say the group may be doing more harm than good. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

ACLU Membership Increases Since Sept. 11 Attacks

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Saturday

U.S. Troops Rest, Refuel & Regroup

While U.S. military planners move logistical support to some front-line units, some troops are resting, refueling and rearming south of Baghdad. NPR's John Burnett, with the Marines 11th Artillery regiment, reports.

U.S. Troops Rest, Refuel & Regroup

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