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Wesley Stace's first novel, Misfortune, started its life as a song. That's because the author is known first and foremost as singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding. Stace tells Scott Simon about the book and his music.

The Virginia state legislature announced the first of $2.2 million dollars in scholarships to those who lost educational opportunities in the 1950s and '60s. During that time, a number of the state's public schools closed their doors in protest against forced integration.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says he will support legislation to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Frist (R-TN) is calling for President Bush to modify his stem cell policy, which puts strict limits on their use.

Stuart Bowen, the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, tells Steve Inskeep about audits of billions of dollars worth of contracts overseen by the U.S. government. Bowen says the rebuilding work is on track, though his office continues to uncover fraud in spending.

The rise of "mega-churches" in the African-American community has helped draw people back to religion. But some traditional black pastors find the growth of these churches worrisome, saying their leaders focus on messages of personal prosperity and are neglecting the civil rights struggle.

Pennsylvania's highest court is weighing a challenge to a state law that expanded mail-in voting. The challenge was put forth in part by 11 Republican lawmakers who voted for the law.

Howard Berkes talks with NPR's Linda Gradstein about Sunday's summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the first official meeting between the two leaders.

A North Carolina state commission releases a report detailing a 107-year-old race riot in the city of Wilmington and its aftermath. On Nov. 10, 1898, a mob of white supremacists overthrew the city's elected officeholders and launched an attack on the city's black community, killing several people.

In a rare holiday week session, the Senate continues debate on a budget reconciliation bill and defense appropriations legislation. The House of Representatives adjourned early Monday after passing a series of spending cuts and a provision for drilling in the Arctic refuge.

Lawyers for al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui question a psychologist about the confessed terrorist's mental state. Moussaoui's defense team is trying to repair damage done by their client last week, when he told the jury weighing the death penalty that he would attack America if he could.