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Noah travelled to Logan County, in southern West Virginia, to talk to people there about the race for governor in that state, and about what politics means to people there. Logan County has a rich political history -- for many decades, the politics of the county were engineered by families who often worked in conjunction with the coal operators to bring money to the region. These political machines got people to the precincts to vote, often with promises of money, or liquor, but always promising better quality of life -- if they voted for the right candidate. People in Logan today are talking about the current governor's race, between Democratic candidate Charlotte Pritt, and Republican candidate Cecil Underwood.

NPR's Debbie Elliot reports on the Louisiana Senate race,.

Scott and Weekend Edition sports commentator Ron Rapoport discuss the 50th National Basketball Association season, which began this week.

Robert talks with reporter Eric Lyman in Lima about the tense hostage situation in the Peruvian capital, where leftist guerrillas are holding at least two hundred people -- including senior government officials and foreign diplomats -- at the Japanese ambassador's residence. The rebels took over the residence during a party last night; they're demanding the release of jailed comrades. The guerrillas, who belong to the small Tupac Amaru (TOO-pock ah-MAHR-oo) Revolutionary Movement, have released about one hundred seventy hostages, most of them women.

NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on renewed interest this year in the life and career of Noel Coward. Three new books, including two full scale biographies...and a Broadway revival of "Present Laughter" starring Frank Langella ...are shedding new light on the playwright and songwriter whose works defined witty sophistication.

Steve Krueger of member station KPLU in Tacoma, Washington, reports on the apparent suicide of Evan Hunziger. Hunziger was held for months by North Korean officials after begin accused of spying. Hunziger claimed he was spreading the gospel. He was released in November and returned home but was found today dead of a gunshot wound.

which the Supreme Court hears today. At issue is a Kansas law, similar to those in five other states, that allows authorities to commit a convicted sex offender to a mental institution indefinitely and involuntarily, even after that person has served a full sentence.

NPR's Martha Raddatz reports on another hearing on Capitol Hill today, discussing the effects of possible chemical exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The Pentagon announced today that it is looking for scientists to conduct more studies on how low-level exposure to chemical weapons affects both people and animals. The research is part of the Pentagon's efforts to solve the mystery of why thousands of veterans who fought in the Gulf War have suffered a range of ailments including nausea, chronic fatigue and memory loss.

For the first time since 1979, Iraqi oil started flowing to markets legally today. It's a result of the UN oil-for-food resolution that relaxes the stringent embargo against Saddam Hussein's nation. US officials express confidence that the UN-monitored oil sales will not erode the general sanctions program and the grand coalition that opposed Saddam Hussein in Desert Storm. But analysts are not so sure. They expect nations in the region will see the deal as a green light to resume trading and smuggling with Iraq. NPR's Ted Clark reports.

NPR's Peter Overby talks with Linda about Charles Trie, the Little Rock businessman who raised some 600 thousand dollars in contributions for President Clinton's legal defense fund. Earlier this week, the chief trustee of that defense fund announced that the money was being returned. Trie is more than a long-time Clinton friend. He's a member of Democratic National Committee's "National Finance Board"...a fundraising structure in which members agree to raise or give 350 thousand dollars a year.