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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.

Even though scientists acknowledge the limits of the study, that won't necessarily limit the political fallout - coming, as it does, on the eve of the presidential election. While the study's authors - both advocates of gun control - say their work supports "greater" regulation, gun control opponents say the study is proof that gun control doesn't work. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

The International Olympic Committee's medical commission today approved a combined blood and urine test to detect the banned performance-enhancing drug EPO. The decision must be approved by the IOC's executive board meeting later this month, but experts said it is very likely the new test will be used during the Sydney games in September. Finding a reliable test for EPO, which up to now has been virtually undetectable, has been a priority for the Olympic movement. EPO stimulates the production of oxygen-rich blood cells and is popular with endurance athletes. NPR's Tom Goldman reports.

There have been many political dynasties in the United States, but only two presidential sons have risen to be nominated for president in their own right. John Quincy Adams... and George W. Bush. The Bush clan never uses the word dynasty, of course, but it's hard to miss the importance of family in this political year. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on the importance of being a Bush.