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House GOP leaders push for a close to this week's post-election lame-duck session, despite unfinished business on terrorism insurance and unemployment benefits. NPR's David Welna reports.

Central states cry foul over federal attempts to save prairie dogs and their habitats. Nebraska and others say the prairie dog is a pest, not an endangered species. Prairie dogs have lost 99 percent of their original range in North America. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

In the final installment in our series on California's Central Valley, NPR's Richard Gonzales reports that working conditions for farm workers have not improved much in the last 50 years. Half of the valley's farm laborers are illegal immigrants, and they work for farm labor contractors and growers who take advantage of their illegal status. The system creates vague lines of responsibility for how and whether workers are paid and who is responsible if someone gets hurt. Ultimately it creates an underclass of low-skilled workers who -- unlike immigrants in the past -- have little chance to improve their lives.

When actress Winona Ryder was convicted of shoplifting last week, it struck a chord with Youth Radio's Nora Harrington. Harrington is a high school student who wonders what her classmates find so thrilling about stealing.

In the aftermath Brazil's presidential election, which was won by former factory worker Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the "red star" of the Workers Party has become the star of the fashion circuit. NPR's Martin Kaste reports on the latest trend sweeping the South American nation.

Critics of the new campaign finance reform law say Sen. John McCain's victory will be short-lived. They claim the Supreme Court will find much of the law unconstitutional, and loopholes abound. But the Arizona Republican vows to continue the fight in the new year. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

In her new guide to the evolutionary biology of sex, Judson explores the sex lives of animals and insects. Posing as Dr. Tatiana, sex-advice columnist, she answers "letters" posted by such creatures as the fairy wren, the stalk-eyed fly and the African elephant. Her new book is Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation. Judson has also written for The Economist, Nature and Science. This interview first aired Aug. 13, 2002.

China's Communist Party formally reveals its new leaders Friday. A new generation is taking over, but none are expected to stray far from the path of outgoing President Jiang Zemin, who has pushed economic but not political reform. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

The Homeland Security bill extends a key deadline for screening all checked luggage for explosives. Airports and airlines breathe a sigh of relief, but supporters of the deadline say new security requirements at airports should not be eased. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

American Jazz Pianist Sir Roland Hanna died Wednesday at age 70. Hanna was known for playing in diverse styles that reflected much of the history of jazz piano. In addition to performing, he composed more than 400 pieces for jazz ensembles. NPR's Felix Contreras has this remembrance.