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Anne Sutton reports from western Alaska on the political debate that could determine whether a family is able to survive. Many families in rural Alaska live off of fish from the rivers, berries from the trees and game from the mountains. Some residents say subsisting off the land is a tradition that keeps them alive.

Still enjoying the lift provided by his speech at the Democratic national Convention, Vice President Al Gore campaigned through the Midwest this week in an open-collared shirt and an upbeat mood. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports that Gore is borrowing heavily from his father's populist campaign style and, for the moment at least, it seems to be working.

NPR's Phillip Davis reports Florida is offering motorists a new license plate featuring the slogan "choose life." Money from the sales of the new tags go to promote adoption. But abortion-rights groups say the message is inherently religious, and therefore unconstitutional. They've lost a round in court, but are still fighting against the plates.

NPR's Michele Kelemen has a report from Podolsk on Russian sports hero Alexander Karelin. This giant of the Greco-Roman wrestling scene is going for his fourth Olympic gold in Sydney next month. But he's not just an athlete; he's also a member of the Russian Duma. President Putin's party recruited Karelin last year to boost its public image.

Nearly a third of the American workforce works a temporary or part-time job, or hires on as an independent contractor. For many workers, these arrangements provide the flexibility and freedom they never had in traditional jobs. But many "free agents" struggle to obtain benefits and professional stability. As David Molpus reports, a new study finds that organizations are emerging to help workers cope with the change, but there are still lots of bumps in the system.

Jackie Northam of Chicago Public Radio reports that more than two weeks after Firestone began recalling millions of its tires, there's now a desperate scramble for replacements. Fingers of blame are pointing in many directions. Federal investigators say 62 people have died in car accidents that may have been caused by peeling tire treads.

Mary Louise Kelly reports from London that former British spy David Shayler returned home from exile in France today and was promptly arrested. Shayler has been charged under Britain's official secrets act. He has accused the MI-6 intelligence service of plotting to kill Libyan leader Moammar Gaddhafi -- a charge the British government denies.

Carolyn Johnsen, of Nebraska Public Radio reports from Omaha that residents of Boys Town vote today and tomorrow on whether to change the name of the famous refuge for young people. Half of the 33,000 residents are girls. Father Flannigan started his Boys' Home in 1913, and the name was changed to Boys Town in 1926. Girls were first admitted in 1979.

Celeste Headlee of member station KNAU reports that Native American rights advocates are asking state and federal prisons to allow sweat lodges (a structure intended to house prayer ceremonies) to be built on prison grounds. Prisons in many states already have sweat lodges, but some states with large Native American inmate populations do not allow sweat lodges.

The San Francisco Giants' most popular team members aren't seeing much action this summer. When the team inaugurated a new ballpark, it also introduced a group of canine helpers, trained to retrieve home-runs hit into nearby San Francisco Bay. So far, the dogs are still waiting to make a splash. Scott Shaefer reports from member station KQED.