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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to George Ratliff about his new documentary, Hell House. It focuses on a haunted house that a large Pentecostal church outside of Dallas puts together every year to scare people into the arms of God.

Last week, more than 4,000 fire bosses mobilized 15,000 firefighters in the Western United States. So far, there have been enough managers to cover all major fires. But there is increasing concern about the dwindling supply of trained and experienced supervisors to direct and assist teams of firefighters. NPR's Howard Berkes reports for Morning Edition.

There are names for people responsible for firing other people. They're called "hatchet men" or "corporate executioners." Many companies hire people like firing consultant Howard McCain. McCain spends his days helping companies carry out the firing of employees. He says there is an art to dismissing someone.

The Bush administration is expected to announce a plan for vaccinating certain Americans against smallpox. An advisory panel has recommended that at most, 500,000 health-care workers should be immunized. But many state and local public health officials don't think that's nearly enough to cope with a smallpox bioterrorism attack. NPR's Richard Knox reports for All Things Considered.

Every summer amateur astronomers around the country hold hundreds of "star parties," inviting the general public to gaze through telescopes at the night sky's wonders. At Stellafane, in rural Vermont, sky watchers have gathered since the 1920s. They'll be there again this weekend. So will Sky and Telescope magazine editor Kelly Beatty, who offers a commentary for Morning Edition.

For centuries, sugar has been the foundation of the Cuban economy, and a key part of the country's identity. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Fidel Castro's government is drastically downsizing the sugar industry because of economic pressures, and transforming some of the old sugar mills into attractions for a more profitable industry: tourism.

Puzzlemaster Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Dominic DeCecco from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. He listens to Weekend Edition on member station WHYY in Philadelphia.)

Gutting fish is a cold, wet and smelly job. But if you're willing to put in the hours, the pay can make up for the unpleasant conditions. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on a "slime line" in Juneau, Alaska, as part of Morning Edition's series on "dirty work."

Nick Lowe is a songwriter, musician, and producer whose influence on modern rock has far outstripped his chart performance. He talks with NPR's Joe Palca about his storied career and his new album, The Convincer, for All Things Considered Saturday.

Sculptor Joseph McNally, a member of the religious order of Christian Brothers, says a spiritual calling took him to Singapore to teach art. His own work, much of it carved from bog oak, evokes Chinese characters and carries a sense of singularity. Alex Van Oss has Brother McNally's story for Weekend Edition Sunday.