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Two dozen new state governors start their jobs this month. Robert Ehrlich will be Maryland's first Republican governor in 36 years. Like many of his fellow newcomers to state office, the former congressman is contemplating budget shortfalls and tough spending choices. NPR's Steve Inkseep reports.

For many states, after school programs have proven to be a successful way to help poor and minority kids stay out of trouble, and learn. But cuts in state budgets mean cuts in education, and these programs are first in line for reduction. NPR's Nancy Solomon reports from Newark.

Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il Trovatore, which premiered 150 years ago this weekend in Rome. It remains one of the most romantic and popular operas of all time. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Philadelphia Inquirer music critic David Patrick Stearns.

News that airlines are testing the idea of selling in-flight meals to passengers sparks a fresh debate on the quality of airline food. Hear from NPR's Scott Simon and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

NPR's Steve Inskeep has a brief rundown of other stories in the news this weekend.

A 32-year-old Chicago man is in custody, accused of running a child prostitution ring in five Midwestern states. Authorities say he lured girls -- many of them runaways -- with offers of free jewelry, then held them hostage and made them perform sex acts. Shirley Jahad of Chicago Public Radio reports.

Weekend Edition humorist Andy Borowitz is intrigued by some parallels between Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the film Catch Me If You Can and new Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

The Hollywood awards season moves into high gear tonight, with the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards. More viewers have been drawn to the award show in recent years, but the organization that selects the winners is not widely known by the public. Film commentator Kevin Murphy turns the spotlight on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

SoulSkin's music has been described as strange and wonderful at the same time. Host Liane Hansen talks to the band's vocalist Karen Kraft and keyboardist Rob Meurer. Their debut CD is called SoulSkin, released by Askew Records.

Duke University researchers Peter Feaver and Christopher Gelpi have been investigating the gap between civilian and military society. They've found that the general public is more willing to accept casualties as a result of military missions than most military leaders and members of Congress are. Also, the more veterans there are in Congress and the administration, the less likely the United States is to use force. Host Steve Inskeep is joined by Feaver and Gelpi to discuss their research.