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The U.S. occupation force's public relations machine is in full swing in Iraq, downplaying the effectiveness of the insurgency. The insurgency has countered with a propaganda barrage, distributing low-cost cassettes and DVDs glorifying the resistance. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

NPR's Cheryl Corley talks to Randy Cohen, who writes The Ethicist column for The New York Times Magazine, about the dilemma of Laura Meigs. She's a first-year teacher in rural Mississippi. Her instinct is to correct her students' incorrect grammar and keep them from using racial epithets she finds offensive, but she's heard criticism that in doing so, she may be demeaning their culture.

In the final part of his series on the national mood, NPR's John Ydstie reports from East St. Louis, Mo., a predominantly African-American community that's been losing young people and not seeing much bounce from the upswing in the national economy. Better education is seen as a way out, but the people Ydstie spoke with say the federal No Child Left Behind Law is not helping their community. On the issue of Iraq, the group is against U.S. action there -- and very much against the president.

American occupation authorities close two major highways in Iraq in an effort to keep U.S. supply lines open. Persistent attacks by insurgents have damaged the routes and food is running low at administrative headquarters in Baghdad. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Apple retail employees in Towson have formed CORE, the Coalition of Organized Retail Employees. They sent a letter to Apple's CEO saying the majority of employees at the store support forming a union.

Scattered clashes are reported in the region around Fallujah, though a cease-fire declared over the weekend is largely holding. Iraqi officials report 600 civilians have died in Fallujah since U.S. Marines launched an offensive there last Monday. Those fleeing the city accuse U.S. forces of firing randomly, causing numerous civilian casualties. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

A day after the White House released a briefing document on the al Qaeda threat that President George Bush received a month before the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush says the brief lacked "actionable intelligence." Security experts say the paper leads them to question the Bush administration's judgment of the information. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

During a rare primetime news conference, President Bush pledges the United States will commit the time and forces needed to finish its work in Iraq. Bush reaffirmed plans to transfer governing power to Iraqis on June 30, saying a delay would foster suspicions of U.S. motives in the region. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

The Environmental Protection Agency tells officials in 31 states that new air-pollution controls are needed to control smog in counties containing more than 150 million people. The EPA, acting under court order, said 474 counties have air that fails federal standards or contributes to pollution in a neighboring area. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports.

The town of Batavia, Ohio, holds a vigil for Matt Maupin, the U.S. Army soldier who is being held hostage in Iraq. Ann Thompson of member station WVXU reports.