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NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports the Clinton Administration has announced new measures aimed at combating child labor and sweatshops around the world. The administration made several new grants totaling 3-point-9-million dollars to five non-governmental and international organizations. The new grants are small compared to overall federal spending to combat child labor.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study, which shows no differences along racial lines in the outcome of medical or surgical treatments among veterans. Other studies have shown wide disparities in health care between African-Americans and Caucasians, in particular. These studies often suggest that socioeconomic differences and access to health care are the main causes for higher disease and death rates among the black population as a whole. The new study suggests that when all things are equal, African-American men actually have a lower rate of disease and death, relative to whites.

One year ago, Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Junior, a Rhode Island juvenile court judge, and Matthew, a 16-year-old repeat offender, were given tape recorders. During that time, Judge Jeremiah released Matthew early, for good behavior. Two weeks later, Matthew was arrested again for selling drugs. Through their diaries, Matthew and the judge tell the same story from two different sides of the bench.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports that while Attorney General-designate John Ashcroft was the subject of a relatively civil confirmation hearing inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, special-interest groups from the right and left held noisy rallies outside the capitol regarding the nomination.

Former Senator John Ashcroft received big campaign donations from some companies that will have big cases pending before the Justice Department in the months to come. But if that bothers some people, it probably won't be an issue in Ashcroft's confirmation hearings. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

Noah talks with Deborah Caldwell, Religion Producer of the BeliefNet Website about how Pentacostal Christians might view a role in politics, and how that might relate to the approach of former senator John Ashcroft to the role of attorney general. (4:00) http://www.beliefnet.com or http://www.beliefnet.org

The audio diaries of Matthew and Judge Jeremiah continue.

There was a time when many potions and cures were mostly alcohol, and had names that claimed to do specific things, such as "Dr. Chaise's Nerve and Brain Pills" or "The Great Stomach Remedy." Now drug names are semi-scientific, like Paxil, Vivelle, Celebrex. Commentator Carol Selman wonders if the new secret to selling drugs may be using letters at the end of the alphabet.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on today's first day of hearings on former Senator John Ashcroft's nomination to be Attorney General. Senators promised a full and fair hearing. Several Democrats said they need reassurance that Ashcroft can put aside long and deeply held beliefs that conflict with the law. Republicans emphasized Ashcroft's extensive experience in law and public service, and the usual deference to a president in his cabinet choices.

Tom Chapin and John Forster put their view of the recent trends in the U.S. economy to music.