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Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO) is expected to announce that he will no longer serve as House Democratic leader. Gephardt's decision comes after midterm elections in which Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives. NPR's Bob Edwards speaks with NPR's Cokie Roberts.

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff Col. Bill Smullen about his good friend's career and legacy.

Commentator Wendee Holtcamp sent us this funny essay about the commentator's nature-boy husband and his penchant for blood worms and other natural delicacies.

John Ydstie talks with Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO), who is stepping down as Democratic leader in the House of Representatives.

In South Dakota, Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson claims victory with just 500 votes more than his Republican challenger, Rep. John Thune. In Minnesota, former Vice President Walter Mondale concedes to Republican Norm Coleman. Hear NPR's David Welna.

In a bid to revive the faltering economy, Federal Reserve policymakers cut interest rates by half a percentage point. But in a statement, the Fed signals it may be the last cut in the near future. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

A new study provides the most conclusive evidence yet that the Measles/Mumps/Rubella vaccine does not cause autism. Scientists in the United Kingdom and some parents have suggested that the MMR vaccine causes autism in some young children who seemed to be developing normally until the time they got the shot. To examine whether there's a link, researchers in Denmark used the national registry of all Danish citizens to track the entire population of children over an eight year period. The same MMR vaccine was used in the U.S. and in Denmark. The researchers concluded there's no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. NPR's Vicky Que reports. (4:00)

Music critic Jim Fusilli reviews "Casa," a new album from Japanese pianist Ryuichi (Ree-oo-ee-chee) Sakamoto (Sah-kah-moh-toh) and Jaques and Paula Morelenbaum. . It's a tribute to Brazil's bossa-nova master Antonio Carlos Jobim, recorded in Jobim's former home in Rio de Janiero. (4:00)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's sharp criticism of his nation's news media has provoked attacks on reporters at pro-Chavez events. Now he's ordering TV stations to cover his speeches. NPR's Martin Kaste reports.

Robert talks with Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who will be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Republicans retake control of the Senate in January. They discuss issues the Republicans will be pressing when they're in charge.