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Commentator Rawlins Gilliland, a public speaking-consultant and former National Endowment for the Humanities Poet-in-Residence, says other people's music seems to form a soundtrack to his life. It's a constant background din -- as he drives with his top down, talks on his cell phone, stops at a gas station, works out at his gym, visits a park, and finds a birthday party in progress on his own block.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports on today's congressional hearing on the continuing Clinton pardon dispute. The House Government Reform Committee called Democratic donor Beth Dozoretz to testify about her knowledge of lobbying on behalf of a pardon for fugitive Marc Rich. Dozoretz invoked her fifth amendment right against self-incrimination and answered no questions. The panel also questioned former top Clinton aides. Clinton had waived his right to executive privilege, allowing them to testify.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on Attorney General John Ashcroft's first news conference since taking office. Ashcroft, whose treatment of a black judge was an issue in his confirmation, highlighted his plans for civil rights. Ashcroft said enforcing laws against discrimination is one of his three priorities. He did not confirm or deny news reports that Atlanta lawyer Larry Thompson and Washington attorney Theodore Olson are in line for top jobs at the Justice Department.

The fine art of "hacking," or elaborate practical joking, is a storied tradition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students at M.I.T. have perched a life-size police car on top of a domed building, wrapped an enormous jock strap around the athletic center, and performed a host of other diabolical pranks. Liane speaks with the school's Assistant Safety Officer, David Barber, who is in charge of dismantling these pranks the next day.

Look at Patrick Kruger's house and you see the bottom of his tree through a window, and the top pushing through a damaged roof. Kruger was actually having a little fun. He broke his 14-foot tree in two and used building materials to create the illusion.

A top commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq says troops have recovered "documentary evidence" that the country's former regime had an active chemical and biological weapons program. But Lt. Gen. William Wallace says no signs have surfaced that Saddam Hussein's forces deployed the banned weapons for use against U.S. forces. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Blue Highway's CD Marbletown is topping the bluegrass charts and has been nominated for a Grammy. Founder Tim Stafford and dobro player Rob Ickes tell Debbie Elliott what's behind the group's music.

The groundbreaking rock band Cream he will receive a 2006 Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award next week. Eric Clapton was the group's guitarist. To many in music, Eric Clapton is at or near the top of any list of the greatest guitar players in rock history.

The cost of rebuilding the Gulf Coast after the hurricane could top $200 billion -- roughly the same cost of the Iraq war. But President Bush says the money to pay for it should come from spending cuts, not new taxes.

Insurgents fire grenades at an Iraqi civil defense facility as Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, visits. Abizaid was not hurt in the attack, which caused no American casualties. The attackers escaped. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Eric Westervelt.