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Mary Ann Akers of NPR News reports that two House Commerce subcommittees today held the latest in a series of hearings to look at the deaths associated with Firestone tire failures on Ford SUV's. Subcommittee members are considering additional regulations, including new penalties for companies that make defective auto products and a requirement that companies alert U.S. regulators when products are recalled overseas.

Charlene Scott of member station WFCR reports on an art project designed to unite two communities in a Hartford, Connecticut neighborhood. Artist Liz Miller is overseeing the creation of a memory quilt by long-time residents and immigrants. But to get both groups to work together, she's used video portraits and documentaries. The quilt goes on display tomorrow at Hartford's Real Artways Gallery.

Republicans now have a slim majority of just six votes in the House of Representatives -- and all 435 seats are on the ballot in November. Democrats are hoping to become the majority if they can sweep the close races on the West Coast. One of the most closely watched of these contests is in California's fabled Silicon Valley, ground zero for the micro-chip and personal computer revolution. NPR's Richard Gonzales reports.

The Olympics bring out the most devoted collectors: scavengers who scoop up spent shotgun shells, lapel pin traders, and high rollers who shell out 100-thousand-dollars for a gold medal winner's swim trunks. At Sydney Olympic Park, just about anything with five rings or a connection to an Olympic athlete seems to be selling. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

Euen Kerr of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the popularity of the 101 fiberglass statues of Snoopy that are spread around St. Paul. The city commissioned the representations of Charlie Brown's dog to celebrate the 50th anniversary of native son Charles Shultz's Peanuts comic strip. Many of the statues will be auctioned this weekend, with proceeds going to a Charles Shultz memorial scholarship fund.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that although there are many similarities between America and Australia, language is not one of them. Aussie slang is a mix of British dialects, Aboriginal words, and a kind of code language spoken by 16th century criminals called " flash." That combination, and Australians' tendency to throw an "o" or and "e" at the end of certain words, can make Aussie English a bit confusing.

Susanne Sprague of member station KERA reports on the opening of the Women's Museum in Dallas, Texas. In addition to achievements, the exhibits tell about tragedy as well. The museum will feature a computer lab that will help young girls learn about possible careers. The museum is the largest of its kind in the nation. (6:13) Credits

Jody Becker of Chicago Public Radio reports on a thorny environmental case being heard next month by the U.S. Supreme Court. It involves the right of some Chicago suburbs to build a landfill on land that's being used by migratory birds. Some environmental activists warn that the court could use the case to gut the landmark Clean Water Act.

NPR's Tom Goldman reports from Sydney that five members of Romania's weightlifting team were reinstated at the Summer Olympics after a bizarre day of confusion over policy concerning drug tests. The athletes who did not fail any drug test were kicked out of the Olympics because two of their teammates tested positive.

NPR's Margot Adler reports that some psychologists are also starting to worry about the degree to which children are exposed to violence in tv ads for movies. They staged a protest last week outside of an advertising industry's awards ceremony. But the industry says many of their awards go towards public service announcements that encourage children not to engage in destructive behaviors such as smoking.