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NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the Supreme Court has ruled that it's unconstitutional for public hospitals to test pregnant women for illegal drugs and, without their permission, give the results to police for possible prosecution. The arrangement between doctors at a public hospital in South Carolina and local police was designed to identify pregnant women using crack, and protect their fetuses. The 6-to-3 decision concludes that such an arrangement between doctors and police violates the Constitution.

Ed Sanders, a former Yippie; member of the Fugs; and author of the bestseller about Charles Manson called, The Family, has embarked on a multi-volume history of North America in verse. Volume Two, which has just been published covers 1940 to 1961. Sanders envisions eight volumes. He's starting in the 20th century and working backwards. From New York, Tom Vitale reports.

Commentator Merrill Matthews says don't blame the drug companies for not giving away their products. He argues that drug companies are not the most profitable companies and that they function like any other company marking up their products to cover the costs of produciton and distribution. If drug companies just give away their products, they won't have the funds to do the kind of research that leads to innovations and cures.

In the final story in Morning Edition's series on literacy, NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports from Knoxville, Tennessee, on the inability of many college students to write college-level essays. Many four-year colleges are raising admissions standards or scaling back on remedial classes, so a good deal of remedial education now takes place at community colleges. Sanchez examines why American high schools graduate so many students who are ill-prepared for the rigors of college work.

NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on how the plentiful, pliable metal aluminum inspired art and industry in the 1900s. An exhibition now in New York City explores aluminum's use in aerospace, fashion and household goods.

NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports on the U.S. visit of China's Vice Premier, Qian Qichen , the highest ranking Chinese diplomat to visit the new administration. Speaking publicly at the State Department last night, Qian expressed hope that China-U.S. relations would improve. Tuesday night in New York, he was highly critical of American plans to sell Aegis destroyers to Taiwan.

NPR's David Molpus reports on yesterday's Supreme Court decision allowing employers to force their employees to forego a court trial, and head straight for binding arbitration in cases of job disputes. The idea is to reduce the caseload of an already clogged legal system, but employee advocates say arbitration usually gives the employer an unfair advantage.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports that aerospace company Boeing will move its main offices from Seattle, where they've been for 85 years, to either Chicago, Denver, or Dallas-Fort Worth.

NPR's Pam Fessler reports on the chasm the census statistics show between ethnic breakdowns at different ages. Many more young people are black, hispanic or Asian.

Host Bob Edwards talks with NPR's Guy Raz about ongoing violence on Macedonia's border where ethnic Albanian rebels are fighting with Macedonia's army.