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In 1897, the U.S. Army launched an experiment to test if the safety bicycle, then a revolutionary vehicle, could be used to transport troops instead of the horse. The 25th Infantry, composed of 20 African American soldiers, took the 2,000-mile ride from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. Their journey is documented on a new film called The Bicycle Corps: America's Black Army on Wheels, produced by Montana Public Television. It airs on public television stations this week. Frank talks to Gus Chambers, the film's writer and producer.

Aileen LeBlanc of member station WYSO profiles deejay Moon Mullins. Mullins broadcasts on a small AM radio station in Ohio and insists on doing commercials the old fashioned way- live and with local businesses. His style is a throw-back to the early days of radio where stations were as diverse as the communities they served.

NPR's Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem reports on new criticism of the Palestinian Authority by Amnesty International. In a report issued today, Amnesty says Yasser Arafat's government has arrested dozens of human rights activists, journalists and intellectuals simply for criticizing Arafat or his policies.

Linda talks with reporter Jacky Rowland --who's in Belgrade, about the Yugoslavian police raid on a student-based opposition group and the upcoming elections. The group, called "Otpor" which means "resistance" in Serbian, is known for it's criticism of President Slobodan Milosevic. Although none of the students were arrested, computers and other materials were taken way. Milosevic's biggest challenge is from candidate Vojislav Kostunica, a moderate nationalist. Polls show that in a fair election between him and Milosevic, Kostunica would win.

One of the issues most often mentioned by voters this election year is education. The presidential candidates Al Gore andGeorge W. Bush are responding. Both men have made schools and education reform a top priority on the campaign trail. But as NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports, what can the president of the United States really do to improve the nation's schools?

NPR's Don Gonyea reports on the marathon Gore/Lieberman campaign swing through several key states yesterday. The tour began Sunday with a meeting with construction workers in Philadelphia, continuing to Flint, Michigan and Tampa Florida. The circuit ended in Louisville at a dinner sponsored by the AFL-CIO. Along the way, Al Gore spoke about issues he thinks will appeal to working families: tax breaks for the middle class, better wages, and lower prescription drug costs.

Commentator Richard Rosenfeld talks about the significance of the so-called 2nd American Revolution, the Presidential election of 1800 in which Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams. He says Jefferson's victory assured the separation of church and state and the protections contained in the Bill of Rights.

Congressional lawmakers return to Capitol Hill faced with a long list of issues as Election Day draws near. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Jon Miller reports from Lima that the government of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has engaged in talks with the political opposition on democratic reforms. The two sides are considering ways to restructure institutions throughout the government, from the military and intelligence services to the judiciary. Fujimori agreed to the talks under intense international criticism of the country's last election, which returned him to office for a third term. His immediate obstacle is convincing opponents that with his record, he can become a champion of democracy.

Impressions of Peru by 9-year-old (in October) Miriam Newman-Marshall. She was born in Callao, Peru, but adopted and arrived to the United States when she was just four months old. Miriam went back to Peru recently and sent us an audio report on how she spent her summer vacation.