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NPR's Larry Abramson reports on NASA's decision to appoint an independent commission to study the cause of the destruction of the space shuttle Columbia, on Saturday. Just hours after the disaster, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe announced that Admiral Hal Gehman will head the commission, which is intended to provide a thorough and objective assessment. The precedent is the 1986 Rogers Commission, which investigated the Challenger disaster.

Two dozen new state governors start their jobs this month. Robert Ehrlich will be Maryland's first Republican governor in 36 years. Like many of his fellow newcomers to state office, the former congressman is contemplating budget shortfalls and tough spending choices. NPR's Steve Inkseep reports.

For many states, after school programs have proven to be a successful way to help poor and minority kids stay out of trouble, and learn. But cuts in state budgets mean cuts in education, and these programs are first in line for reduction. NPR's Nancy Solomon reports from Newark.

Government lawyers on the Enron Task Force are stepping up prosecution following the holidays. The so-called "superseding indictment" could bring additional charges against Enron's Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow. It could also name new defendants. NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports.

The SEC takes up several proposals aimed at restoring investor confidence, approving new rules governing the relationship between accounting firms and the companies they audit. Commissioners will also vote on a rule requiring mutual fund companies to reveal how they vote on shareholder disputes. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

Philip Morris, the global tobacco, food and beer conglomerate, changes its corporate name to the Altria Group. The change reflects the company's view that it's no longer just a tobacco business. But critics say the company seeks a less controversial image. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports.

Bishop Richard Lennon, appointed to replace Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston, draws criticism from advocates for victims of priest sexual abuse. They want him to spend more time with the concerns of the laity and less on church finances. Monica Brady-Myerov of member station WBUR reports.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) has sponsored a change in House ethics rules to allow members of Congress to take free trips to charity events. One such event is the spring excursion sponsored by DeLay's own foundation for the benefit of foster children. NPR's Peter Overby reports that the rule change has critics crying "foul."

NASA's investigation into the Columbia disaster is now wide open. The space agency says there's just not enough evidence to back the theory that damage to the shuttle's protective heat tiles caused the crash. At today's memorial service for the Columbia astronauts at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., NASA chief Sean O'Keefe pledged the agency would find the cause of the accident and continue with space exploration. NPR's Richard Harris reports on the progress of the investigation.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports that last night more than 2,600 hopeful homebuyers in Marin County, Calif., participated in a lottery for 351 affordable homes on an abandoned Army air field at Novato. Novato officials said they worked with developers for years to find a way to offer below-market homes that local firefighters, police and teachers could afford. The median home price in Marin County is $554,000.