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After cracking a joke about Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-AK) daughter, Late Show host David Letterman has apologized. Also, former congressman William Jefferson's trial has begun. He was charged with corruption after federal agents found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

At a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) admitted to a year-long affair with a friend from Argentina. Observers debate whether the scandal will derail his political career, and whether public officials should be judged on their private transgressions.

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz play a word game with WDET listener Elliott Shevin of Oak Park, Mich.

A devoted fanbase of those who remember the day Aaliyah died, and those who discovered her decades later, are pushing to keep her legacy alive.

Even if you've never sought out the music of Donny Hathaway, you've probably felt his presence: His low-key, insistent way of interpreting a song has been emulated by virtually every contemporary soul and R&B singer. But still his records remain under-appreciated.

The rising R&B star came out with guns blazing and performed fleshed out versions of her new songs.

Sid and Marty Krofft created some of television's most memorable hits -- and disastrous flops. The Kroffts are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence as their shows -- including H.R. Pufnstuf -- are re-released on DVD.

In the 1970s, the J. Geils Band carved out a reputation as one of the wildest party bands out there. Its frontman never abandoned his rootsy musical syncretism. Peter Wolf has a new solo album, conceived at the juncture of country and R&B.

Winans has spent her long career expanding what gospel can sound like and where it can go. To pull off her first release in nearly a decade, she adapted once again — by letting go of the wheel.

In a global economy, something called "substantial transformation" comes into play when the U.S. determines where a product is made.

Nanotechnology is finding a home in beauty products. Some skin-cream makers, for instance, say buckyballs can prevent premature aging of the skin by acting as an anti-oxidant. But some experts wonder about the safety of these highly engineered nanostructures.

Jazz pianist Robert Glasper remixes Miles Davis with modern hip-hop, soul and R&B. He joins us.

The former Nebraska senator faces the Senate Armed Services Committee. After some initial doubts, the conventional wisdom in Washington is that he's likely to be confirmed. But Hagel will face some sharp questions about his views on key issues.

We remember Henry Fambrough, the last original member of the R&B group The Spinners, who died this week. He was 85.



This week, Wait Wait is live in Chicago with host Peter Sagal, special guest Ken Jennings and panelists Tom Bodett, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Faith Salie

A new HBO documentary by Questlove tells the story of the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. Morning Edition host A Martinez speaks with band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson.

Mary Ann Akers of NPR News reports that two House Commerce subcommittees today held the latest in a series of hearings to look at the deaths associated with Firestone tire failures on Ford SUV's. Subcommittee members are considering additional regulations, including new penalties for companies that make defective auto products and a requirement that companies alert U.S. regulators when products are recalled overseas.

Linda talks to Jacob Weisberg, Chief Political Correspondent for the on-line magazine "Slate," about the production values of the convention -- how the message is packaged and produced, with music and videos and other techniques designed for the television viewers. He says the Republicans offered a sleek production. The Democrats are always a little more chaotic. (4:30) The internet address for Slate is http://slate.msn.com/

NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports that the Supreme Court today ruled that medical device makers can be sued in state court even if their products have federal approval. The ruling could open the gate to a stream of liability cases. Medical device makers had claimed that compliance with federal laws and regulations protected them from product liability cases in state courts.

NPR's Nick Spicer reports from southern France on the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau wine at midnight last night. The annual festivities marking the arrival of each year's vintage have been a great marketing success, boosting sales of a mediocre product that goes bad after a few months on the shelf. This year, to keep the price up, growers held back on production.