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NPR's Steve Inskeep profiles Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. The first-term Republican, who is considered a close friend of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and endorsed him during last year's presidential primaries, is pushing a campaign-finance reform measure that has become the vehicle for those opposed to the McCain-Feingold bill. Hagel's measure, which limits -- but does not eliminate -- soft money contributions, is tacitly backed by President Bush. McCain calls Hagel's bill a "poison pill" that would not change the system in any meaningful way.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the homes of both rich and poor. Among the most prominent victims was Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), whose home in Pascagoula, Miss., was destroyed. Lott is one of many Gulf homeowners suing their insurance companies.

The lobbying scandal that engulfed the career of Jack Abramoff and threatens that of Rep. Tom DeLay was first reported two years ago, by reporter Susan Schmidt. Her colleague, R. Jeffrey Smith, is covering the DeLay angle of the story.

Miriam Real, a volunteer with the Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.), was jailed in Louisiana during a voter registration drive in September 1963. Wisconsin Public Radio's Brian Bull offers a sound portrait of Real's story, in her own words.

Soul singer Lalah Hathaway is back on the scene with a new album, Self Portrait. The daughter of the late R&B legend Donny Hathaway talks about her music, her legacy and why this album challenged her in very different ways.

A five-time Grammy-winner, John Legend has won millions of fans for his sultry R&B style, easygoing vocals and piano-based hip-hop instrumentation. Hear Legend perform live in concert from WXPN and World Café Live in Philadelphia.

After all of his hits, Al Green is taking his six-decade career in new directions. NPR's Tony Cox talks with the R&B legend about his new album, Lay It Down. This time, he worked with artists like Questlove, the drummer for the hip hop band The Roots.

American music legend Ray Charles died Thursday of complications from liver disease. He was 73. Blind since age 7, the man known as "The Genius" built a career that defied genre, lending his soulful, bluesy stylings to jazz, pop, country and R&B. Ashley Kahn has a remembrance.

The recording industry gathers in Los Angeles for the 46th annual Grammy Awards Sunday. R&B and hip-hop artists dominate this year's nominees for record of the year... and a win often translates into record sales and prestige. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.

On the docket this week: A jury finds R. Kelly not guilty of child pornography charges; BET co-founder Sheila Johnson produces a documentary for a rival TV network; and officials raise questions about a suspicious fire that burned down the home of rapper 50 Cent's ex. Entertainment guru Alison Samuels of Newsweek magazine is here to give us the latest.

A Senate intelligence committee report, set to be made public next week, calls for a major overhaul of U.S. intelligence efforts, panel member Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) says. Hagel confirms the CIA has received a copy of the report, but says he doesn't believe it played a part in George Tenet's decision to resign as the agency's director. Hagel speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Many politicians cite the late President Ronald Reagan as a major inspiration for their career choice. Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA) was a high school student when he volunteered for Reagan's first campaign for California governor in the 1960s. Paul Begala became active in Democratic Party politics after hearing Reagan speak at the University of Texas in the 1970s. They share their memories with NPR's Susan Stamberg.

President Bush faced down questions about the scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), the continued U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and especially North Korea's recent reported nuclear test. The president vowed to work within the six-nation framework to pressure North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program.

The lyrics to the R&B singer's "It Won't Stop" are warm and unpretentious, while the performance demanded by the music is not for the meek. In a boxing gym, she executed with muscle and grace.

Watch the R&B singer perform her smart and stylish standout single onstage in her hometown of Austin, Texas, during SXSW.

A sound montage of a few prominent voices in this past week's news, including FBI Special Agent Ray Mislock; State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns; President Clinton's Special Envoy on Democracy in Cuba Stuart Eizenstat; Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill); Bryant Gumbel, who left NBC's "Today" show last week after 15 years; Paul McCartney who this week received a knighthood; and an excerpt from the Beatles song "Mother Nature's Son."

N-P-R's Jennifer Ludden reports from Kinshasa that Zaire's six-month-old civil war is likely to continue. President Mobutu Sese Seko [moh-BOO-too seh-say SAY-koh] refuses to resign while rebels prepare to attack the capital. Despite the President's resolve, he has little real power, and the rebels may soon unseat him. They control almost half the country, and the remnants of Mobutu's army guarding Kinshasa will probably not offer much resistance.

NPR's David Welna reports how the Mexican ruling party shut down an official investigation of one of the country's most corrupt agencies--the commission which buys and distributes subsidized food. The ruling party apparently got nervous when the probe uncovered evidence that President Ernesto Zedillo approved a legally questionable payment when he served in the cabinet several years ago. Critics say the handling of the investigation proves that the ruling P-R-I party is not serious about fighting Mexico's rampant corruption.

Embattled Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott remains defiant about hanging on to his post after a GOP colleague declares he is willing to challenge Lott for the leadership job. Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) has the public support of several GOP senators. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Republicans digest a Friday apology from Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) over remarks that seemed to endorse America's segregated past. Lott has declined to step down from his post as Senate Republican leader. Republicans must decide if he can remain effective. Hear from NPR's Jacki Lyden and NPR's Juan Williams.