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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.

With support for unions at its highest point since 1965, Democrats hope they can capitalize on that sentiment as they struggle to connect with voters on other issues.

With tax revenues waning, many public schools are looking for new sources of money. In the final part of Beyond the Bake Sale a Morning Edition series, NPR's Emily Harris reports on a charter school in Washington, D.C., funded in part by the Marriott Foundation. The school aims to encourage high school students to take up careers in the hotel or restaurant business.

Democrat Bill Richardson leads in the polls in the New Mexico governor's race against Republican rival John Sanchez. Both are Hispanic, and a big Hispanic voter turnout next Tuesday could affect the outcome in two close House races for seats now held by Republicans. NPR's Linda Wertheimer reports for All Things Considered on New Mexico's ethnic political landscape.

Johnny Cash's musical journey through the heart of America began 50 years ago. And though the Man in Black has turned gray — he celebrated his 70th birthday this year and has been in ill health — Cash is still going strong musically. NPR's Bob Edwards interviews the country music legend. NPR Online has an extended version of the interview.

Americans have expressed concern with issues ranging from the economy, health care and national security. But a series of polls by NPR News, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government show that no single issue dominates among voters of this year's midterm election. NPR's Marcus Rosenbaum reports.

Republicans recapture control of the Senate and add to their advantage in the House. Democrats gain ground in governor's mansions around the nation. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

Pub-goers in London cheer Queen Elizabeth II's announcement that Parliament will soon consider allowing pubs to stay open 24 hours. Currently, pubs must close at 11 p.m. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with London pub manager Charlotte Renick. (This story was corrected on air on Nov. 14, 2002: "It's Thursday, the day we read from your letters, and we start with a correction to yesterday's program. I said that Britain's pubs have closed early, ever since World War II. Our thanks to Charles Day in Bozeman, Montana, Marc James Small in Roanoke, Virginia and Peg Willingham in Arlington, Virginia. All pointed out that closing the pubs early was a World War I innovation, part of the Defence of the Realm Act. Mr. Day notes that the law was "affectionately known to the British' by its acronym 'DORA.' The logic of the pub closings was, he writes, 'to keep factory production levels high. Factory workers, particularly the ammunition factory workers, would be home from the pubs at a reasonable hour so that they would show up well rested on the factory floor the next morning.'"