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Some states are revisiting laws requiring drug offenders to serve long prison terms. Some legislators say the laws put too many nonviolent criminals behind bars and strain the penal system. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.

NPR's Ivan Watson reports on the Islamist movement that now controls the local government in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province, along the border with Afghanistan. The new provincial government has launched a crackdown on what it terms immoral entertainment, including Western music and movies. Some in the region are comparing the government to the Taliban.

NPR's Kate Seelye reports Iraq's artists have survived -- even flourished -- during the U.N. embargo in place since the Gulf War. Some Iraqi artists say the current threat of war is making them even more determined to create. Others say they want nothing more than peace.

The Hawkeye State has fewer people than it did in the 1980 census. State Governor Tom Vilsack would like to turn the population tide by recruiting people from around the world. Yet the state with the slogan "Fields of Opportunities" is still 96% white, and isn't used to immigrants. From member station WOI in Ames, Joyce Russell reports.

Host Bob Edwards talks with reporter Richard Harris about the latest winners of the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Two Americans and Swede got the one-million-dollar prize this year, for their work on "signal transduction" in the nervous system -- work which is necessary for understanding the origins of many neurological and psychological diseases.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on a study that shows fewer people are falling victim to gunshot wounds during the commission of crimes. The Justice Department says the number of gunshot wounds fell almost 40 percent from 1993 and 1997. Experts credit a number of factors, including the aging of the population and longer prison sentences for violent criminals.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports from Israel where Prime Minister Ehud Barak bowed to pressure from world leaders and postponed his threat of full military engagement in the on-going conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The riots that began 12 days ago and escalated in gun-battles and mob violence that have left at least 88 dead and thousands wounded. (

(Update) Weeks of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have sparked a resurgence by the Israeli right. Ariel Sharon, the right-wing leader whose visit to a contested holy site set off the current conflict, may even be invited to join the government. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem.

NPR's Robert Smith reports from Seattle on the decision by principals at several suburban schools to restrict the delivery of flowers, balloons, and other gifts to students during the school day. At homecoming, Valentine's Day, prom, and graduation, the large volume of deliveries has become a nuisance to school employees and a distraction to students.

The major party candidates for president returned to campaigning in swing states today after holding their third and final debate last night in St. Louis. Both camps treated today's events as victory rallies, claiming their man had the upper hand last night. NPR's Anthony Brooks has the latest on the Gore camp, and NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on the Bush campaign.