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Twenty-eight year old author Jonathan Foer found his first critical success at 25, with his novel Everything is Illuminated. Three years later, Foer was reported to have received a million-dollar advance for his latest novel, Extremely Loud and Incredilby Close. The book tells the story and pain of a man whose father died on Sept. 11, 2001.

A federal judge rules the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act to be unconstitutional, the third such ruling since the bill was enacted. U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf of Nebraska said the law does not include an exception for the woman's health and that Congress was "unreasonable" when it ignored doctors who said the procedure is sometimes medically necessary. NPR's Robert Smith reports.

Many groups of immigrants made their first steps toward economic success in America by focusing on one type of business: think Korean groceries or Chinese laundries. When people from Gujarat, India, began arriving in California in the 1940s, some families found a niche running small cheap hotels. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

The U.S. women's softball team defeats Australia, 5-1, capping a dominant, nearly perfect run through the Athens Olympics with a gold medal. It's the third consecutive Olympic softball title for the undefeated Americans. NPR's Tom Goldman reports.

Democrats and intelligence officials criticize Sen. Pat Roberts' proposal to radically reorganize U.S. intelligence efforts, a plan that would break up the CIA and move intelligence groups out of the Pentagon. Roberts, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, announced his plan Sunday. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

About 20 percent of U.S. preschoolers -- more than 2 million children -- aren't getting recommended vaccinations. New research suggests the toughest obstacle may be parents who believe vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

In a swing through Wisconsin and Minnesota that included a stop at a pre-season football camp, President Bush touts his commitment to traditional family values and his record in the war on terror. It's part of a campaign strategy to build Bush's image as a national leader, military commander and regular guy. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Vice President Dick Cheney surprised an Iowa audience by saying he disagreed with President Bush's position on gay marriage. The vice president, noting that he has a gay daughter, said he believes each state should determine laws governing marriage. The president has backed a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

The Federal Communications Commission is fining each of the 20 CBS-owned television stations $27,500 for broadcasting indecent material. The total of $550,000 in fines stems from the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" incident during the 2004 Super Bowl. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

A handful of residents in New London, Conn. are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to save their homes. The city wants to level the modest neighborhood and redevelop the area as a way to improve its tax base. Diane Orson from WNPR in New Haven reports on the conflict over eminent domain.