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Linda talks with Hod Lipson, a research scientist at Brandeis University about a robot he and computer scientist Jordan Pollack designed, which constructs other robots. He says this is a new step towards the autonomy of artificial life.

Phillip Davis reports on the political battle surrounding rising hurricane insurance rates in Florida. Florida insurers have used a scientific model they commissioned to argue that global warming means that Hurricane strength will continue to increase in the coming years, thus the need for rate increases. State meteorologists are not convinced. But efforts to get money appropriated for an independent state study have been killed by the insurance lobby.

Linda and Robert read letters from All Things Considered listeners. (3:15) To contact All Things Considered, write to All Things Considered Letters, 635 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001. The e-mail address is atc@npr.org.

The cottontail rabbit used to be a common sight among the oak forests and mountain trails of New England. No more. NPR News correspondent John Nielsen reports on a request by conservationists to put what once was thought to be the most procreatively successful American animal on the endangered species list.

Minority enrollment is up at Florida's state universities and Governor Jeb Bush is attributing the increase to his "One Florida" program. The governor's plan abolished affirmative action in state college and university admissions. It substituted a program where the top 20% of students in each high school class is guaranteed admission to a state institution. But critics say the governor is off base, because other outreach and recruiting efforts are really behind the increase. Susan Gage of Florida Public Radio reports.

The annual Jobs Rated Almanac, by Les Krantz has been released. It rates 250 occupations from the best to the worst based on five criteria. All Things Considered asked some workers where they thought their jobs would place. (2:30) Jobs Rated Almanac 2001, by Les Krantz is published by Griffin, ISBN # 0312260962.

Host Renee Montagne talks with actor and author John Lithgow about his new children's story, The Remarkable Farkle McBride. Lithgow intended to produce a musical program that would draw children to the symphony. Soon after he started, he realized he had the makings of a children's book as well. In the book, Farkle McBride is a musical prodigy that learns to play something from the 4 instrument groups that compose a symphony orchestra. Farkle eventually gives them all up in fits of frustration before he discovers his passion is for conducting. (7:00) John Lithgow's The Remarkable Farkle McBride is published by Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 0689833407.

A cheery story by Franz Kafka about an executioner called In the Penal Colony has been turned into a pretty opera by Phillip Glass. It's being directed by Glass' former wife, celebrated theater director Joanne Akalaitis. The work is premiers in Seattle tonight at ACT Theater. It travels to Chicago in November. Marcie Sillman, of member station KUOW, reports.

Film director Carl Reiner. He was a writer and appeared in Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows. He's best-known to baby boomers as the creator and writer of The Dick Van Dyke Show. His film direction credits include The Jerk and Bert Rigby, You're a Fool.

Linda talks with sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about this year's close race in baseball for the pennant. All in all, it's been an exciting season for baseball fans -- so many teams have a chance at winning their division. And in other good news for baseball fans -- players and owners have struck a deal that means no strike next season.