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Edward Hopper's 1942 Nighthawks captures three customers seated at the counter of a brightly lit all-night diner, all seemingly lost in their own thoughts. NPR's Scott Simon presents the story behind one of the most famous paintings of the 20th century. His report is part of the Present at the Creation series on the origins of American cultural icons.

A year ago, health officials shut down the Brentwood postal facility in Washington, D.C. It had been contamined with anthrax spores sent through the mail. Two workers died of inhalation anthrax. The building remains closed, and its former workers are still struggling with their anger and fear. NPR's Richard Harris reports for Morning Edition.

In the coming year, many Americans with employer-provided health insurance will face rising premiums along with increases in deductibles and co-pays. Those costs are expected to continue to rise over the next few years. In a two-part series for Morning Edition, NPR's Julie Rovner reports on the latest effort by employers to hold down health-care spending.

In a series of occasional essays exclusive to NPR, distinguished journalist Walter Cronkite comments on news events he reported on over the past century that still resonate today. Friday on All Things Considered, Cronkite reflects on the 45th anniversary of Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. Listen and learn more about Cronkite's previous essays for NPR.

When former President Clinton declared a national monument in Utah six years ago, many politicians and residents said he was abusing presidential power. Now some of those same critics are asking President Bush to take further steps to protect Western land. NPR's Howard Berkes reports on Morning Edition.

All Things Considered begins a series of stories from Tibet with a report from NPR's Rob Gifford, who was part of a group of journalists recently allowed on a rare visit -- accompanied by Chinese government officials -- into the mountainous region of China. Gifford begins his series by looking at Tibetan culture, and how well it has fared under Chinese rule.

Investigators in Rhode Island try to learn why last week's blaze spread so quickly inside a West Warwick nightclub, killing at least 97 patrons. The state attorney general wants answers from the club's owner. Among the issues: whether rock band Great White had permission for pyrotechnics. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

While deadly attacks on U.S. troops continue in Northern and Central Iraq, Basra in Southern Iraq has remained free from major combat incidents since August. Officials in the British-controlled port city, however, worry about interference from neighboring Iran. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Hundreds of identical letters have been sent to newspapers from U.S. soldiers in Iraq, extolling the successes of American forces there. The U.S. military says the letters are part of a spontaneous grassroots campaign, but many soldiers say they didn't write the missives that bear their names. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.

U.S. troops clash with Shiite Muslim militia in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, killing at least three American soldiers and at least eight Iraqis. In Baghdad, a roadside bomb kills a U.S. military policeman and wounds two other Americans. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.