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NPR's Christopher Joyce reports on a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that talking on a car phone increases the risk of car accidents fourfold. But having a phone available immediately after an accident may help speed an emergency response.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports a major natural gas pipeline in Washington state has been shut down, while officials investigate the cause of two explosions along the line last weekend. The blasts have raised concerns about the safety of the 4000 mile pipeline system that runs throughout much of the Pacific Northwest.

- As rebel forces advance on the eastern Zairian town of Kisangani, NPR's Michael Skoler reports that United Nations aid officials have flown into rebel-held territory to establish aid stations for fleeing refugees. The idea is to coax them back to their homes in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi, but that's going to be difficult without a ceasefire first.

NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports on the economic changes that may occur along the Texas/Mexico border due to welfare reform. Legal immigrants will start losing welfare benefits next month, and in border towns such as Del Rio, Texas, the debate over whether that should happen is particularly charged.

Dan Gunderson of Minnesota Public Radio reports on Minnesota's evacuation of about 5,000 residents, who are fleeing high waters from a spring storm over the weekend. Tens of thousands of residents in northern Minnesota and North Dakota are without power, because power lines were downed from the onslaught of rain and snow.

Today is the first day that some legal immigrants will no longer be receiving food stamps. The food stamp cut-off is part of the sweeping welfare reform passed by Congress last year. Bill Zeeble from member station KERA in Dallas reports that some Texas food banks are already feeling the effects.

NPR's Pam Fessler reports on George W. Bush's meetings today with the man he will succeed -- President Bill Clinton -- and the man he defeated for the job, Vice President Al Gore. As he did during yesterday's meetings with congressional leaders, Bush said he was "here to listen."

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that activists of the student- based movement called Otpor are rallying the masses to reveal the corruption of the Milosevic regime before tomorrow's Parliamentary election. Optor hopes to rid the parliament of the last of Milosovic's socialist party and fill in the gaps left by the corrupt government to establish a legitimate legal system for Yugoslavia's future.

From member station KPBS in San Diego, Carrie Kahn reports on Mexicans heading home for the holidays. Mexico's new president, Vicente Fox, is trying to ensure their safe passage, and to hold bribery and corruption by border guards in check.

Manufacturers are feeling the sting of the slowing economy. As NPR's Jack Speer reports, factory layoffs have been recently announced at General Motors, Whirlpool, Gillette and other major industrial companies. Soaring energy prices, tighter credit and consumers who are suddenly balking at big ticket items have all contributed to the slowdown.