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NPR's Mark Roberts reports from McCall, Idaho that there are dozens of major fires burning in 10 western states. US Army soldiers, are preparing to join regular firefighters in an effort to contain the wildfire in the Payette National Forest. Groups of soldiers are receiving training from members of elite firefighting teams.

Co-host Madeleine Brand introduces a montage of vendors hawking their wares at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.

Host Alex Chadwick talks with French-born medical anthropologist, Clotaire Rapaille, who's made a career of studying why people decide to buy certain products or vote for particular political candidates. Rapaille says he's cracked the code to understanding American culture.

Russell Lewis of member station KPBS reports hot temperatures across California have led to soaring electricity demand and cost. In San Diego, the cost has forced some businesses to close and caused some experts to question the effectiveness of the state's utility deregulation.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on a racial discrimination suit won in San Francisco by workers at Interstate Bakeries Corporation, makers of Wonder Bread. The jury gave the workers eleven million dollars in compensatory damages, and 120 million in punitive damages.

David Brower of member station KRWG in New Mexico reports that two of the state's leading training centers for the blind have settled their philosophical differences and are now teaching classes together.

Veteran newsman Robert Trout has the second of two reports about the history of the Republican party, through his own reporting on the last 17 conventions over a period of nearly seventy years. Today, Trout picks up in the late 1940's and early 1950's, and the fight between moderates and conservatives -- between the forces of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert A. Taft. Eisenhower won. But the pendulum swung back in the 1960's with the nomination of Barry Goldwater. Ultimately, Trout points out that the struggle between moderate and conservative still marks party proceedings today.

NPR's Laura Sydell reports that the Smithsonian Institution will return an important cultural artifact to a Native American group today. For the past 80 years, the brain of the last Yahi Indian has been part of the Smithsonian's collection of Native American remains.

NPR's Jack Speer reports on questions surrounding the future of Amtrak, the national passenger rail service. Almost 30 years after it was created from a group of bankrupt railroads, Amtrak still receives large federal subsidies. Even though there are more passengers on the rail service, it's still losing money and shows little sign of becoming profitable. Amtrak also is being criticized for delays in starting high-speed passenger rail service along the busy Northeast corridor.

NPR's Margot Adler reports on Senator Joseph Lieberman's identity as an Orthodox Jew and how it might affect Al Gore's prospects for winning the Presidency. Lieberman is known for his morality and moderation. He was the first Democrat in the Senate to denounce President Clinton's sexual behavior as immoral. And he's been highly critical of violence and sex on television and in popular music.