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Commentator Mark Allen has this story of the teacher who had the most influence on him growing up. On Halloween during his senior year of high school, the algebra teacher, Rhonda Maloney, wore an elaborate ape mask that probably took hours to create. She was the only one in the school to dress up that day. She was taunted and jeered throughout the day, and Mark has never forgotten how she handled the abuse.

NPR's Greg Allen reports on the re-election campaign of Arkansas Sen. Tim Hutchinson, who is thought to be the most endangered GOP senator on the ballot next week. Hutchinson, who ran six years ago as a "family values" conservative, divorced his wife and married an aide shortly after his election. Further, Hutchinson's Democratic opponent, Attorney General Mark Pryor, is the son of one of the state's most revered political figures.

Some Wall Street analysts warn of a "dismal" holiday shopping season. But others point to the 3.1-percent economic growth rate and say the predictions are overly pessimistic. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

NPR's David Kestenbaum reports that another strong substance may have been mixed with the powerful narcotic gas pumped into a Moscow theater held by Chechen rebels last week. Russian health officials have detected traces of the anesthetic Halothane in the bodies of rescued hostages, but it's unclear whether pending test results will be made public. More than one hundred hostages died from the gas.

With tax revenues waning, many public schools are looking for new sources of money. In the final part of Beyond the Bake Sale a Morning Edition series, NPR's Emily Harris reports on a charter school in Washington, D.C., funded in part by the Marriott Foundation. The school aims to encourage high school students to take up careers in the hotel or restaurant business.

Ballistics tests confirm the rifle linked to the Washington, D.C.-area sniper attacks was also used in a Baton Rouge murder of a beauty supply store worker in September. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.

The Mississippi legislature has taken up legislation that would reform business liability law in the state. Lawmakers are reacting to accusations that Mississippi has become a magnet for liability litigation. Proponents of the legislation say reform would save businesses millions in court costs every year; opponents say it will only help rich corporations. NPR's David Molpus reports from Mississippi.

Host Alex Chadwick talks to journalist Charles Bowden about his latest book Down by the River. Bowden's investigation of a murder in El Paso, Texas uncovers a story of drugs, corruption and violence involving both sides of the United States - Mexico border.

Robert Siegel and John Ydstie read some letters from All Things Considered listeners. Among the topics this week are yesterday's commentary on sex offenders, the ethnicity of Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, and the crowning of Napoleon.

In the second of a two part, NPR and National Geographic Expeditions story, Host Alex Chadwick reports on Cornell researcher Kathy Payne, who uses sound recorders to track African elephants. Her elephant listening project may revolutionize the study of wildlife in remote places.