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Beginning tomorrow night, Passover. Passover is the holiday in which Jewish families gather to retell the story of Exodus from Egypt. An important part of the traditional preparation for many Jewish families involves going to the store and buying a box factory-made matzah. But for those who follow a strict interpretation of the Torah [TOE-rah], store-bought matzah isn't good enough. Dean Olsher reports on SHMORAH MATZAH. (8:00) (INS

Riverside County California sheriff's deputies have been placed on administrative leave after being videotaped beating two people who were driving a truckfull of illegal immigrants on a California highway. The man and woman apparently put up no resistance as the officers struck them repeatedly with billy clubs. Noah Adams talks with NPR's Mandalit DelBarco who's in Los Angeles and has been reporting on the reaction from the Latino community. (4:30)

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from Belfast on the opening day of multi-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. The first day did not go well. The unionists who want to stay as part of Great Britain threatened to walk out...and the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, Sinn Fein (SHIN FAYN), was not allowed into the talks because the I-R-A has not re-instated a cease-fire, which was suspended earlier this year.

NPR's John Ydstie reports on "tax freedom day" the day the Tax Foundation tells us is the day we begin working for ourselves and not to pay taxes. This year the average American has to work until May 7th in order to satisfy his tax liabilites, according to the Foundation. But critics argue the concept of a tax freedom day makes little sense...since your taxes are used to provide services you use year-round.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from London on the crisis over British beef. It is turning into the biggest confrontation between Britain and the European Union in twenty-three years. The E.U. has stopped Britain from exporting its beef. It's worried about the spread of mad cow disease. Britain today pledged to stop cooperating with the E.U. until the beef ban is lifted.

Illinois is trying to solve the problem of how to provide equitable levels of funding for school systems throughout the state. Governor Edgar has proposed that income taxes be increased, while a Republican lawmaker suggested existing funds be shifted to fund schools. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports that some educators say Illinois should look to Michigan for advice, where a state-wide property tax helps raise funds for all communities that have a wide variety of income levels.

NPR's Kathy Schalch reports on the political action committee which raised the more money last year than any other PAC. It was a group that exclusively supports Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights. EMILY'S List was not taken seriously when it started over a decade ago, but it raised $5 million last year and is now being relied on by the Democratic Party in its efforts to get out the vote in this year's elections.

NPR's John McChesney reports that America Online's new flat- price for unlimited use of the Internet appears to be a big hit...so big that many AOL subscribers are having difficulty logging on as the average user extends his or her stay. The surge in demand for AOL's services has some analysts wondering whether AOL can defy the predictions of some that the commercial online services have a limited future.

White House aides continue defending the financing of President Clinton's recent re-election campaign after the release of more documents detailing more than 100 so-called "coffees," at the White House between Clinton supporters and the president. Administration officials deny that they peddled access to the president in exchange for campaign contributions, but NPR's Steve Inskeep reports that many of the visitors also met with Democratic fund-raising officials at those meetings and that some made hefty campaign contributions afterward.

A new study appearing tomorrow in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that 40% of people die in pain and even larger numbers are fatigued and depressed at life's end. Such statistics are one reason why assisted suicide has generated so much debate. But doctors say that much can be done to reduce pain and suffering -- and thereby lower the demand for extreme measures like suicide. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.