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From member station WCPN, Janet Babin reports that parents and educators in Ohio are getting fed up with the crumbling conditions in the state's schools, which are among the poorest in the nation.

Mejla Hlavsa, founder, composer and bassist for an underground Czech rock band called the Plastic People of the Universe, has died at the age of 49. The Plastic People were at the center of a struggle for human rights under Communism in Czechoslovakia during the 1970's and 80's. Robert remembers Hlavsa's role in that fight.

NPR's Richard Knox reports on a recent study that finds that diabetes and high blood pressure could lead to brain damage.

Michigan pediatrician Howard Markel talks about the difficulties and dual loyalties of being a parent and a pediatrician, especially when one's own child gets sick.

Southern California Edison, one of California's cash-strapped electric utilities, defaulted to some of its creditors today. It failed to repay, at least temporarily, a 596-million-dollar wholesale electricity bill. The move brings the company a step closer to bankruptcy. The utility said the action was necessary to allow it to continue operations while state and federal officials seek a regulatory solution to California's power crisis. The state, meanwhile, declared another top level power emergency today, citing a shortage of natural gas needed to generate electricity. Scott Horsley reports.

Noah talks with Peter Navarro, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of California at Irvine, about deregulation of the electricity business in California, how it is designed to work, and why it does not appear to be working.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports the Clinton Administration has announced new measures aimed at combating child labor and sweatshops around the world. The administration made several new grants totaling 3-point-9-million dollars to five non-governmental and international organizations. The new grants are small compared to overall federal spending to combat child labor.

The audio diaries of Matthew and Judge Jeremiah continue.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports that while Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft was the subject of a relatively civil confirmation hearing inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, special-interest groups from the right and left held noisy rallies outside the capitol regarding the nomination.

One year ago, Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Junior, a Rhode Island juvenile court judge, and Matthew, a 16-year-old repeat offender, were given tape recorders. During that time, Judge Jeremiah released Matthew early, for good behavior. Two weeks later, Matthew was arrested again for selling drugs. Through their diaries, Matthew and the judge tell the same story from two different sides of the bench.