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to defend him against allegations that his past fundraising activities broke House ethics rules. Speaker Gingrich is replacing Jan Baran, Washington's leading attorney on campaign finance law, with J. Randolph Evans of Atlanta, a nationally known specialist on legal malpractice.

NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg examines the players in two Supreme Court cases that challenge the constitutionality of state laws banning physician-assisted suicide. The cases were brought in New York and Washington state on behalf of dying patients and their doctors. In both, lower courts ruled that terminally ill, mentally competent patients DO have the right to a physician's help in ending their lives.

Daniel talks with Jorge Castaneda, professor of political science at the National University of Mexico in Mexico City, about the current state of rebel groups in Latin America. Castaneda says that though there are still a few very brutal groups left, such as the Shining Path in Peru, most rebel groups have become increasingly mild in their tactics. And recently, in a couple of countries, he notes the guerillas have put down their arms in favor of negotiation and peaceful resolutions. But Castaneda says it still remains to be seen whether or not real reform can take hold in this new 'peaceful' atmosphere. For that to happen, he says, the governments which have traditionally oppressed the lower classes, also will have to make changes.

NPR's Amy Dickinson goes to a scoring session for the TV cartoon "The Simpsons" and offers a behind the scenes look at how music is produced for the show. (7:30) ((ST

Scott with some thoughts about the new year.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports that Russians are confused about which holidays they should be celebrating.

Robert talks with NPR's Michael Skoler about the condition of refugees in a camp he visited today south of Kisangani. Thousands of Rwandan refugees have been returning to camps after they were driven out last week by local Zaireans and rebel troops.

NPR's John Burnett reports on the increasing allure that the Orthodox Christian Church holds for American Protestants. One Orthodox congregation in Northern California is representative. Virtually the entire membership of St. Peter and Paul Orthodox church is American converts, attracted by the ancient, rigorous theology and its sheer constancy across the centuries. But ethnic traditionalists worry that even the most devout American converts carry with them the unwelcome seeds of change.

The seat for Governor, two seats in the House and even the one in the White House are all still being hotly contested.

three run-off House races in Texas.