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NPR'S Margot Adler reports that there are more tourists in New York City than ever before. Thirty million so far this year, one million just for Christmas week. Traffic too seems more congested. While there are some obvious explanations for the surge...like crime is down and the economy is up... nobody is certain just why the city has become such a tourist sensation.

Former CIA and FBI chief William Webster, named to head an oversight board for the accounting industry, concedes he may have to step down because of questions about his ties to a key firm. The board holds its first meeting next week. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments in two cases that challenge California's "Three strikes" law. Both cases involve men sentenced to long prison terms although shoplifting was their final strike -- an aspect of the law attorneys will argue to be cruel and unusual punishment, especially because property crimes are often punished more harshly than violent offenses.

The ACLU files a federal lawsuit against a drug task force in Texas, alleging it targets minorities and then offers them parole if they plead guilty. The ACLU says the move enables the task force to receive thousands in federal funding. NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports.

Campaigns for judgeships are usually thought of as quiet affairs, and few attract the kind of dollars thrown at Senate seats and governorships. But things are different this year in Southern Mississippi, where a seat on the state Supreme Court has become a battleground in the larger war over liability suits. These days there are few issues that bring out the big donations faster. NPR's Peter Overby reports on the millions showing up in Mississippi. (5:00)

NPR's Greg Allen reports on the re-election campaign of Arkansas Sen. Tim Hutchinson, who is thought to be the most endangered GOP senator on the ballot next week. Hutchinson, who ran six years ago as a "family values" conservative, divorced his wife and married an aide shortly after his election. Further, Hutchinson's Democratic opponent, Attorney General Mark Pryor, is the son of one of the state's most revered political figures.

From a train station in Cincinnati, Ohio, President Bush addresses the nation, laying out his case against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and why he feels Iraq constitutes a unique threat to U.S. interests. Congress is expected to vote soon on a resolution authorizing force against Iraq. NPR's John Ydstie and Don Gonyea have a live report.

The U.S. ambassador to Moscow says Russia's reticence about the type of gas used to end the theater siege may have cost lives. But Alexander Vershbow stops short of criticizing Russia for its handling of the crisis. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Congress passes legislation that makes it easier for victims of terrorism to collect money from terrorist states or organizations. The bill makes available the foreign assets frozen in the U.S. But some observers fear the U.S. will lose political leverage against offending countries. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

The new Todd Haynes film Far from Heaven pays tribute to the 1950s melodramas of Douglas Sirk, who gave the world All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life. Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert star in Haynes' homage. David D'Arcy reports.