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Some analysts say the 2002 congressional races are the most lavishly financed in U.S. history. But tough provisions of a new campaign finance reform law take effect at midnight Tuesday, making so-called "soft money" off-limits to party committees. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

Parker stars in two films in theaters now: Pipe Dream and Red Dragon. She's part of the The West Wing cast on TV. She starred in the Broadway hit Proof, for which she received the 2001 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress. Her other Broadway turns include Prelude to a Kiss, How I Learned to Drive and the revival of Bus Stop. Her film credits include Fried Green Tomatoes, Grand Canyon and The Client.

The Republicans have taken control of the Senate with this year's midterm elections. NPR's Greg Allen looks at the Senate race in Missouri, where Republican Jim Talent's won a close victory over Democrat Jean Carnahan.

Writer William Langewiesche is a national correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly. He writes about recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center in his new book, American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center (North Point Press). Langewiesche arrived at the scene days after the collapse and had unrestricted, round-the-clock access to events there.

At a rare forest clearing in central Africa, elephants gather to munch on mineral-rich soil. And researchers gather there to learn more about the social lives of the threatened animals — and how to save them. For Morning Edition, NPR's Alex Chadwick reports. (8:07)

John Ydstie goes to a club called the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., to hear the opening act, Mary Gauthier. Gauthier was an adopted child, a troubled teen, then a philosophy student, and later a restaurant owner. Now she writes and sings songs. Mary Gauthier talks about songwriting and how it relates to philosophy. (12:30) Mary Gauthier's new CD is called Filth and Fire It's on the Signature Sounds label.

Would it bother you to find the neighbors' cattle grazing on your front lawn? Just how long can you live without power when it's 20 degrees outside? Some communities in western states have drafted ground rules for newcomers -- a new "Code of the West." Read some helpful hints for life on a new frontier.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the San Francisco band The Residents, a group that's credited with pioneering punk rock, art rock and techno. They presaged the future of independent labels, music videos and CD-ROMs. So, why have so few people heard of them? NPR's Neda Ulaby came up with some answers.

On Friday, the 16th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party -- used by political leaders to lay out their policies for the next five years -- opens with great fanfare, and heavy security. NPR's Rob Gifford reports on the major changes to be considered, and the behind-the-scenes wrangling for power. Read profiles of the outgoing leaders, and the contenders to lead the world's most populous nation.

Beyond the glamour of Hollywood and the romance of the Golden Gate Bridge, there is another California -- and it's home to the greatest garden in the world. The 400-mile-long Central Valley supplies fully one-quarter of the food America eats. Now the region faces huge changes. NPR's John McChesney and Richard Gonzales begin a four-part series focusing on the future of California's Central Valley.