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Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts is one of three co-chairmen of the Republican National Convention. He is also the only African American Republican in the House of Representatives. He and other blacks have prominent roles at the convention in Philadelphia as the GOP aims to soften its image with voters of all races. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand takes a tour of Philadelphia with 16-year-old Elise Beattie, who's lived in the city her whole life. They start out downtown, which, Elise points out, has been cleaned up and dressed up for the Republican Convention.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand talks to NPR's Cokie Roberts about the political events this week as the Republican National Convention gets underway in Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, three members of the Kansas State Board of Education who voted to remove the theory of evolution from state-wide assessment tests are facing election battles. Peter Hancock of member station KANU reports that the school board race is garnering unprecedented attention, and the evolution issue has become something of a litmus test for candidates in many state-wide races.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand and NPR's political editor Ken Rudin talk about three political conventions from history where crucial and unpredictable decisions were made: the Democratic Convention of 1860, the Republican Convention of 1912, and the Democratic Convention of 1944. The two earlier conventions are brought to life through dramatic recreation.

Commentator Kevin Phillips says this is the sixth time Philadelphia has hosted the Republicans since 1856. The city has been good to GOP incumbents, but three times an untested candidate has won the nomination, and all three lost in November.

Jackie Northam of Chicago Public Radio reports one of Chicago's oldest and most influential radio stations has gone off the air today. Once the home of such radio shows as "Amos and Andy" and "Fibber McGee and Molly," WMAQ will cease transmissions, and its frequency will now be used by an all sports station.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study today that concludes that the falling murder and suicide rates in America are not related to the 1994 Brady law to regulate handgun purchases. The study's authors say the findings illustrate the enormous impact of the unregulated gun market on crime. Independent scientists say the research is sound -- but its ability to judge the effectiveness of gun control is limited.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the defeat of former Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Yesterday Israel's parliament selected Moshe Katsav to become the next president. The victory of Iranian-born Katsav of the opposition Likud Party puts a humiliating end to Peres' half-century political career.

Host Alex Chadwick talks to David Horowitz editor of the Jerusalem Report about Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's political woes. Yesterday, Barak survived a no-confidence vote despite coalition defections, a failed peace summit and the election of right-wing opposition politician Moshe Katzav as president.