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Mark Degon of member station WRNI in Providence reports on the controversy surrounding Mayor Vincent Cianci, who's been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for jobs, tax reductions, and city contracts. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond says Cianci should resign, but the mayor says he's done nothing wrong and will fight the allegations in court. Cianci is still popular and is widely credited with making Providence a model for urban renewal.

Nancy Cohen reports on wildlife a rehabilitator who allows animals to become attached to her, as if she were their mother. Some people wonder if that will make the animals less fearful of people.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the Federal Reserve cut short term interest rates by another half percentage point today. It was the fourth cut this year and the second time in this cycle that the Fed cut rates in between regularly scheduled meetings. The stock markets shot up on the news.

Commentator Lis Wiehl, a former federal prosecutor, makes the case against the right to privacy for strangers staying in a stranger's home.

Robert Siegel talks to Bob Drew, a former broadcaster for the Rochester Red Wings, the minor league baseball team that played the longest professional baseball game in history. It happened 20 years ago, against the Pawtuckett Red Sox.

Israeli forces launched a second incursion into Gaza today, destroying a Palestinian police station. This incursion was smaller and briefer than yesterday's. Meanwhile, the Israeli press accuses Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of buckling under U.S. pressure because he unexpectedly called off yesterday's incursion when Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized it as "excessive and disproportionate." Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports that the role of the United States in Israel's withdrawal from Gaza reflects a different approach to the Middle East from that of the Clinton administration. President Clinton tackled regional issues always in the context of the peace process. The Bush administration feels compelled to make the U.S. position known on various developments. But those reactions seem to be dictated by events themselves rather than the larger goal of reaching a peace agreement.

A Pentagon review panel decided today that the experimental V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft known as the Osprey is not yet ready for deployment but should proceed to its next phase of development. Critics have said the design is flawed and that the program should be shelved. Four of the prototypes have crashed so far, and two crashes in the last 18 months cost the lives of 23 American servicemen. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports from the Pentagon.

Commentator Frank Deford looks forward to next year's NBA rules changes that would allow use of the zone defense in pro basketball. He also advises Michael Jordan not to return as a player with the Washington Wizards and proposes his ideal American basketball team for the 2004 Olympics.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's Supreme Court ruling that upheld the lines for North Carolina's 12th Congressional district. This is the fourth time in litigation for the 12th district, where claims have been made that race was the main factor in its configuration. Congressional mapmakers from other states have been waiting for the court's decision on this case before drawing their own district lines.