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Linguist Geoff Nunberg has some advice for Gore and Bush as they head into their third and final debate.

Writer and desert lover Craig Childs talks about the humbling experience he had watching a sure-footed ram negotiate the steep rocks in the Grand Canyon.

NPR's Michelle Kelemen reports that Russian officials, desperate to end rampant tax evasion, created a special police force to combat the problem. And in order to ensure future candidates will be ready to take on the roll of "tax police", they've begun training teens, at a cadet school in Moscow.

NPR's Robert Smith reports from Seattle on the decision by principals at several suburban schools to restrict the delivery of flowers, balloons, and other gifts to students during the school day. At homecoming, Valentine's Day, prom, and graduation, the large volume of deliveries has become a nuisance to school employees and a distraction to students.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports from Mexico City on efforts to fight the spread of the AIDS virus, especially among the migrant worker population. Six cross-border programs have been established to provide educational and other resources, but researchers say migrant laborers who contract the virus in the United States and then come home to their families, often spread the virus deep inside Mexico, to areas where there are no AIDS programs. The campaign to halt the spread of AIDS also is hindered by cultural taboos that make it difficult to educate the population and change people's behavior.

Alan Cheuse reviews a new novel by J.D. Landis called Longing. It's about nineteenth century Europe's most romantic musical couple, composer Robert and performer Clara Schumann. (1:45) Longing, by J.D. Landis is published by Harcourt Brace; ISBN # 0151004536.

NPR's Mandalit Del Barco reports that both sides have reached a tentative agreement in the month-long public transit strike in Los Angeles. If the union and transit authority ratify the accord, buses could be back on the road tomorrow.

NPR's David Welna reports on the tragic death of Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, the Democratic nominee running in a hotly-contested Senate seat against incumbent Republican John Ashcroft, who perished in a plane crash, along with his son and a campaign adviser. Carnahan's death robs the Democrats of one of their best chances at picking up a Senate seat. But more importantly, it robs a state of a very popular public official, and it darkens the mood as the presidential candidates hold their final debate tonight in St. Louis.

Noah talks with Richard Ben Cramer, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of the new book Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life, about two personalities of the man known as The Yankee Clipper, Joltin' Joe DiMaggio: the elegant athlete and national icon, and the intensely private man, distant and eaten up by resentments of Mickey Mantle and others. (7:45) Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life, by Richard Ben Cramer is published by Simon and Schuster, ISBN # 0-684-85391-4.

Robert talks to Washington Post Columnist E.J. Dionne and David Brooks, Senior Editor of the Weekly Standard about what the Republican and Democratic candidates need to accomplish in tonight's debate, with just a few weeks left in the campaign.