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NPR's Daniel Zwerdling reports on how public health and law enforcement officials might respond in case of a large chemical or bioterrorism attack. Laws vary greatly as to how much power officials have to quarantine people who have contagious illnesses. There's also disarray when it comes to taking over buildings or confining large numbers of people at public events.

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.

U.S. and British warplanes continue to strike government buildings inside Baghdad and key defenses on the outskirts of the Iraqi capital. Despite the almost constant bombardment, reporters inside the city say life there seems remarkably close to normal. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Craig Smith, reporter for the New York Times, in Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Smith spoke with a Shiite cleric who told him that Ba'ath Party officials in Basra are seeking a way to surrender. The cleric says that the party officials have no support among Iraqi people there and are worried about mob violence against them if they step down.

NPR's Laura Sydell reports that the war in Iraq has generated increased interest in blogs, short for web logs. Blogging is the web-based practice of keeping an ever-updated personal account of some subject. Bloggers have become archivists, culling information they feel is not being presented in mainstream media and providing links to foreign news sources.

Twenty-five years ago, the world's first baby conceived by in vitro fertilization, Louise Brown, was born. A million babies later, the procedure has turned out to be much safer than imagined. Yet, as NPR's Joe Palca reports, doctors say questions still linger.

U.S. military officials seek to settle monetary and property claims with Iraqis who say they have suffered losses at the hands of American forces. Almost 3,000 Iraqi claims of negligence have been filed since major combat operations were declared over in May. NPR's Anne Garrels reports.

California voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to oust Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. The governor faces scores of candidates competing for his job, and there are two ballot measures. Election officials expect a record number of voters to show up at the polls. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.

Writer Robert Hofler's new book is The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson. Hofler profiles the gay Hollywood agent who was responsible for making the careers of Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter. Hofler is a reporter for Variety.

Boeing's former chief financial officer pleads guilty in the growing scandal over the firm's defense contracts with the federal government. A top Air Force officer has also pled guilty in the investigation into favoritism in military acquisitions. NPR's David Schaper reports.