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Dreamworks' latest film Madagascar opens this weekend. The digitally animated comedy is about a bunch of pampered New York City zoo animals that wind up in the wilds of Madagascar.

The Nobel in chemistry is awarded for a technique that produces new organic compounds. The method has become one of chemistry's most important reactions, leading to the creation of a wide variety of compounds, from new drugs to fuel additives.

Mayor Ray Nagin announces that New Orleans must lay off up to 3,000 of its city employees -- or about half the work force. The cuts would amount to a savings of $8 million. He said the city will be unable to pay those workers after Oct. 14, because of the financial impact of Hurricane Katrina.

This weekend's Indianapolis 500 boasts only the fourth woman ever to qualify for the legendary race. Steve Inskeep talks with Janet Guthrie, the first woman to break the gender barrier at Indianapolis. Her new book is Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle.

Historian Edward Larson has written extensively on the intersection of science, politics and religion. In 2004, Larson's Evolution: The Remarkable History of A Scientific Theory traced the contentious path the theory of evolution has followed.

New Orleans' Ninth Ward has been stricken by bad luck, poverty and most recently, five weeks of dangerous flooding. Despite its devastation, for many, it's not a target for demolition, it's home.

Economist and Slate contributor Austan Goolsbee shares his thoughts with Alex Chadwick about whether high gas prices in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes will change American driving habits. His conclusion? Americans will only change their driving habits if they are forced to pay $5 or more per gallon, for at least five years.

Are Americans getting dumber or smarter? Author Steven Johnson discusses his book Everything Bad Is Good for You. He argues that the complexity of modern TV shows and video games might make today's media consumer sharper than those of 30 years ago.

Philip Reeves has been reporting in and out of Iraq over the past two years. Steve Inskeep talks to Reeves about his experience there, about the pre- and post-election atmosphere and about how the people of Iraq are slowly adjust to living in a war zone.

Pizza, tacos and onion rings -- just another balanced lunch in many school cafeterias across the Unites States. If given a choice, most kids won't opt for the broccoli. And financial constraints are keeping many school districts from doing away with more popular -- but more fattening -- choices.