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NPR's John Ydstie concludes his series on reforming the social security system with an examination of the plan favored by the advisory council's chairman, Ned Gramlich. Gramlich's proposal occupies the middle ground between the other two plans. It also relies on the financial markets to boost retiree benefits, but without redirecting a large chunk of the payroll tax into personal retirement accounts.

Robert talks to David Courtwright, the author of the book Violent Land: Single Men and Social Disorder from the Frontier to the Inner City. Courtwright argues that young single men are the group most likely to commit violent acts and communities with a high ration of young single men have a violence rate that is much higher than the norm. In some frontier communities where mining and ranching were the main economic engines, there was a very high gender ratio... sometimes forty men for every woman...and as a result, also a very high violence rate.

Susan talks to business analyst Joe Nocera about the year in business.

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Veta (VEE-tuh) Christy reports on a Connecticut mother who has repeatedly been reported for child abuse. But when state authorities investigate each case, they have found no basis for the charges. Authorities won't give her the names of her accusers and she's suing to find out just who keeps charging her with the most heinous of crimes.

attempt to win Arizona and other western states which usually vote Republican in Presidential elections. In a speech today in Santa Barbara, California, the President is expected to respond to Republican allegations that the Democratic National Committee has engaged in illegal fundraising.

will not face criminal charges related to her personal and campaign finances. Greene's former husband and finance director Joe Waldholtz pleaded guilty to bank fraud and campaign and tax law violations. Congresswoman Greene is not seeking reelection.

Researchers in Britain are claiming new evidence for the possibility of life on Mars. By looking at a meteorite from Mars that landed in Antarctica--different from the one NASA scientists concluded contained signs of life this past summer--the British scientists say they see a chemical signature that could have been produced by living organisms. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

The staff at All Things considered has been wondering just what the implications of the existence of life on Mars might mean. It could have far-reaching implications for religion, science...and most importantly, for campaign fund-raising regulations.

As a public service, NPR has made free airtime available to the two major-party candidates in the race for the Presidency. Tonight's message comes from the Democratic candidate, incumbent President Bill Clinton.