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NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to writer Verlyn Klinkenborg about his new book, The Rural Life, a collection of essays about life in the countryside in different parts of America. Klinkenborg lives part of the week in New York City, and part of the week on a farm in upstate New York.

Los Angeles' new police chief, William Bratton, faces his first major test as the city's murder rate hits a six-year high. The African-American community demands an end to the violence, yet urges the LAPD to exercise restraint as it increases neighborhood patrols. NPR's Andy Bowers reports.

Financial troubles at Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington, D.C., threaten to disrupt treatment for many of the city's poorest residents. A possible shutdown leaves residents wondering where they'll go for emergency treatment. Lisa Nurnberger reports.

NPR's Phillip Davis reports on an exhibition in Miami that is trying to take a fresh look at Christmas music. Sound artist Christian Marclay has challenged some of the city's top DJ's to take his collection of Christmas music and remix the material into sonic and artistic collages. The exhibit is called "The Sounds of Christmas" at Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art.

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on a turf battle in the snowy streets of Chicago. Tradition there says the tough work of digging out a snowbound car should be rewarded with the right to dibs the space. It's common to see chairs, traffic cones, or other objects saving a curbside space for a driver's return. Now some in the city say parking on public streets can't be reserved.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports from Grozny that Russia has yet to begin any reconstruction work in the city, which was leveled by Russian forces last year. Hardly a building remains intact. Heat and electricity are sporadic. Russian forces are doing virtually nothing to eliminate the suffering of the civilian population. Soldiers and police continue to round up and beat young Chechen men suspected of being rebels and then demand payment for their return.

After spending a number of years writing screenplays for Hollywood, author T.R. Pearson is back writing novels. Pearson's latest work is Blue Ridge, but unlike his earlier books, the main character makes his way out of the rural south and into New York City. Tom Vitale speaks with Pearson about the new book.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports in Los Angeles, the police department dominated local news this week. Yesterday, the city council voted to place the LAPD under the eye of a federal monitor - to address allegations of civil rights abuses. And last weekend's fatal shooting of an actor at a Halloween party by an LAPD officer has renewed questions over police training and use of force - and sparked several investigations.

Mexico's Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda wants out. He's told President Vicente Fox that he wants to resign and Fox is considering the request. It's not clear why Castaneda wants to leave his job as foreign minister. But he has been frustrated by slow progress on migration reform with the United States and constant clashes with opponents at home. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports from Mexico City.

Los Angeles city leaders consider whether police should stop responding to most home and office burglar alarms that have not been verified by an eyewitness. Homeowners and alarm companies say that would-be burglars will get the wrong signal. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.