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NPR's John Ydstie reports that two Americans will share the Nobel Prize for Economics. James Heckman of the University of Chicago and Daniel McFadden of the University of California at Berkeley were cited for their work in microeconometrics, which combines economics and statistics. Heckman designed new methods for evaluating the effectiveness of various social programs from affirmative action to job training. McFadden was credited with developing statistical methods that transformed empirical research.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports on the less-than-obvious sponsors of tonight's presidential debate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It won't be broadcast from a hall sponsored by corporate America, and no logos will be seen in the background. But big business is still paying big bucks to support the show.

Fidgety financial markets continued their volatile swings today. As Jim Zarroli reports, the Nasdaq composite index lost more than 4 percent of its value early in the day before rebounding sharply. But the Nasdaq, home to most new economy stocks, is still off 20-percent for the year. There's a sense of unease about some of the high-tech stocks that have powered the market's remarkable performance. Earnings at many companies have disappointed, and with interest rates and energy costs up this year, investors see little to cheer about.

Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush may not be highlighting abortion or school prayer in his stump speeches, but he does talk a lot about themes of morality and ethics. He is especially likely to do so when addressing the challenges of parenting. Last week, campaigning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. Bush spoke about family values. We hear an excerpt, as part of All Things Considered's effort to air portions of the candidates' stump speeches.

We'll hear how drug lords try to keep their profits in the third part of a series on the illegal drug trade by reporter Deborah Amos. Dealers accept a certain amount of trouble with the law as a part of the business. It's keeping the money that counts, and that means finding ways to hide it and transport it. There's more at http://www.npr.org/news/specials/drugwars/.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on changes in U.S. trade policy toward Cuba. Last night, the Senate gave final approval to a bill that modestly eases the trade embargo on Cuba. It will allow sales of food to Cuba for the first time in four decades, but bars the federal government or U.S. banks from financing shipments.

NPR's Don Gonyea reports on efforts by Republican presidential candidate Governor George W. Bush to appeal to women, by sending his wife Laura and mother Barbara out on a bus tour of swing states (3:30).

Host Bob Edwards talks with Peter Marks who writes about political ads for the "New York Times." They discuss the content of television ads run by the Presidential candidates and their parties during the remaining weeks of the Presidential race.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports on the AARP's new identity. The American Association of Retired Persons is trying to realign its image with that of the aging baby boomers. Suddenly, post 50 is looking more active and more engaged with the world. But some members worry that the AARP is ignoring older retirees whose lifestyles and attitudes don't necessarily fit with those of the boomers. (

Commentator Kevin Phillips talks about the connection between oil, technology, and wealth in the United States.