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New design proposals for rebuilding on the World Trade Center site include a wider variety than early entries, but tall towers remain a common element. A final design choice is expected in February. Andrea Bernstein of member station WNYC reports.

A federal appeals court reinstates a ban on building new logging roads in some national forests. The Clinton administration imposed the barriers; an Idaho judge briefly rejected them. Environmentalists cheer a ruling that displeases timber interests. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports.

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger resigns as head of the presidential commission created to investigate intelligence lapses before the Sept. 11 attacks. Kissinger, a controversial choice from the start, says he doesn't want to provide names of his business clients. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Californians brace for another blast from El Nino. The weather pattern battered the coast in recent days, and after a two-day lull, more heavy wind and rain are expected. That means flooding, mudslides and power outages. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

In East Germany during the 1970's and 80's, Secret Police known as the Stasi were able to track dissidents without being able to see them. A report in New Scientist Magazine says the Stasi were able to expose their quarry to high doses of radiation, then track them with geiger counters. Noah speaks with Debora MacKenzie, European Correspondent for New Scientist Magazine.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the surprise announcement by Pennsylvania Congressman Bud Shuster that he will leave the House on January 31st. Shuster is a veteran Republican lawmaker who was forced by term limits to relinquish the chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee and one of the most powerful members of Congress. He was also one of the most investigated. He was rebuked by the ethics committee last year for "serious official misconduct" over his ties to a lobbyist.

NPR's Annie Wu reports on the discovery of ten plays by Zora Neale Hurston, the celebrated novelist who wrote "Their Eyes Were Watching God." The African-American writer is best known for her books and short stories, which capture the dialect, traditions, and history of southern blacks in the early 20th century. Hurston's plays follow in the same vein, and include songs she documented when she worked as an Anthropologist in Florida.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the debate over how to nudge the economy back toward growth is heating up. This week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in an effort to prevent the economy from slipping into a recession. Many economists see cutting rates as the quickest and most efficient way to stimulate a slumping economy. President-elect Bush, however, says the economy also faces long-term problems that can only be solved by his proposed tax cuts.

Livingston, Zambia (named after the famous explorer) is trying to reinvent itself. Located near the famous Victoria Falls, it wants to become a Mecca for environmental tourists. But the attempt is running into trouble; the same kind of trouble faced by everyone in Zambia. Malaria and AIDS are the main health problems, years of excessive government spending has created a huge debt, and the health issues and debt have combined to create serious poverty. NPR's Brenda Wilson reports.

Linda talks with Sam Walker, staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal about a series the paper is running on Florida's rise in sports prominence. Walker says Florida has become what is arguably the most dynamic sports landscape in the world. Four of this year's college football "bowl" teams are from the Sunshine State. And of late, Florida has been host to the Super Bowl and the World Series.