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Americans vote in midterm elections that could shift the balance of power on Capitol Hill. All 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats are contested. There are also 36 races for governor and hundreds of local ballot issues. Listen to NPR News.

Johnny Cash's musical journey through the heart of America began 50 years ago. And though the Man in Black has turned gray — he celebrated his 70th birthday this year and has been in ill health — Cash is still going strong musically. NPR's Bob Edwards interviews the country music legend. NPR Online has an extended version of the interview.

Commentator Ed Cullen muses about old-school auto mechanics.

The remake of Swept Away and the biopic Frida are the most recent examples of big studio pictures being used as vehicles for fashion designers. In the old days, a dress worn by, say, Joan Crawford could sell in the millions. But back then, the studios were the designers who would sell the rights to make knockoffs to Macy's or Sears. Today, the likes of Cartier and Versace are buying screen time because they get more bang for the buck than they do in the fashion mags. David D'Arcy reports.

Some analysts say the 2002 congressional races are the most lavishly financed in U.S. history. But tough provisions of a new campaign finance reform law take effect at midnight Tuesday, making so-called "soft money" off-limits to party committees. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

Satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin report on their fictional senatorial candidates, businessman Bob Gunderson and incumbent Chuck Zeffirelli. On this election day, both Gunderson and Zeffirelli make surprise announcements.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments in two cases that challenge California's "Three strikes" law. Both cases involve men sentenced to long prison terms although shoplifting was their final strike -- an aspect of the law attorneys will argue to be cruel and unusual punishment, especially because property crimes are often punished more harshly than violent offenses.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with David Broder, reporter and columnist for The Washington Post, about whether exit polls will be put to better use in today's elections than in the election two years ago.

Tenet Healthcare Corp. has hired a consultant to review practices at one of its California hospitals. Two doctors are being investigated for possibly performing unnecessary heart procedures. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

A bumper grape crop in California means inexpensive wine for consumers. Production has jumped by more than 50 percent since 1995. But some growers are struggling to cope amid lower prices. NPR's John McChesney reports.