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President Thomas Jefferson once said, "If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?" — a line that British comedy writers John Lloyd and John Mitchinson co-opted for the title of their new anthology of quotations.

Defense Secretary William Perry and Joint Chiefs Chairman General John Shalikashvili have been testifying before a Senate committee on the future of the American military force in Bosnia. Perry and Shalikashvili plan to have some troops in Bosnia beyond the promised exit date of December. NPR's Martha Raddatz reports that, during the hearing, Republican Senator John McCain accused the Clinton administration of abusing its power, and said the "credibility gap between the administration and Congress is as wide as the Grand Canyon."

Linda Wertheimer talks with John Grisham about his latest novel, A Painted House, which is based in the rural Arkansas of his childhood. The story is told from the point of view of a seven-year-old son of a tenant cotton farmer. His family has hired Mexicans and a family from the Ozarks to harvest the first good crop in years. Six weeks into the harvest, something happens which will change the boy's life forever. (7:30) A Painted House, by John Grisham, is published by Doubleday.

The 'Philadelphia Inquirer' is running a 21-day endorsement of Sen. John Kerry, outlining 21 reasons why voters should elect him president. Editorial page editor Chris Satullo and commentary page editor John Timpane talk about the endorsement. On the paper's op-ed page, they've invited guest commentators to write about the reasons why voters should elect Bush instead.

Speeches at the Republican Convention portray President Bush as a strong wartime leader. After Sen. John McCain made the case for war in Iraq, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani assailed Bush's opponent, Sen. John Kerry. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Robert Smith.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry chooses Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina as his running mate. Edwards, who challenged Kerry for the presidential nomination, was the popular choice of many Democrats. The decision was announced this morning via an e-mail the campaign sent to Kerry supporters. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley and NPR's Michele Norris.

Democratic Sen. John Kerry and his new vice presidential choice, Sen. John Edwards, kick off a cross-country barnstorming tour that will take them to at least seven states before Sunday. Democrats have rallied around the selection of Edwards, a party favorite. Republicans are already seeking to portray Edwards as too inexperienced for the No. 2 job. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

A new album revives the lost tracks of a studio session Coltrane recorded with his quartet in 1963. Critic Kevin Whitehead says Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album is solid — but not revelatory.

After two days of uncertainty, the first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain goes forward as scheduled. The stated topic is foreign policy, but moderator Jim Lehrer of PBS is expected to throw in the hot topic — financial meltdown and the government efforts to respond.

Preventative health care is one of the most critical routines to develop for long-term health, but many of us put routine health screenings on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, 38% of women passed on routine check-ups and tests during the height of the pandemic, according to a 2021 Kaiser Family Foundation survey.

John DeMarsico is the broadcast director for Mets baseball — and he shoots games like they're movies.

John and Phyllis Cook recently married. He is 100 and she is 102.

Katy Simpson Smith's debut novel, The Story of Land and Sea, is a story of suffering centered on an ex-pirate and his daughter just after the American Revolution. It's flawed, but a worthwhile read.

In New York, a federal jury deadlocks in the racketeering trial of accused mob boss John "Junior" Gotti. It's his second mistrial in eight months. Prosecutors say they'll try Gotti a third time, and the judge indicates she'll set a new trial date on Monday.

Toussaint, a central figure in the New Orleans rhythm-and-blues scene during the 1950s and '60s, died in Spain on Monday. He was 77. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Bats, birds and tourists love a good cave. And so do viruses. Scientists say this mixture could trigger a deadly outbreak.

Democrats won back the House in 2018 because they beat GOP candidates in areas like two of New Jersey's swing districts. But two freshmen there are split on how to handle impeachment.

George Floyd's death isn't just a story about a black man and the white cop charged with his murder. Among Asian Americans, the involvement of Hmong officer Tou Thao is stirring a racial debate.

Some immigrant families from China send their U.S.-born babies to their home country to be raised by relatives. Psychologists are studying what happens when these children return home.

It's part of an ongoing back-and-forth: Republican presidents ban U.S. funds for foreign aid groups that 'promote' abortion, Democratic presidents revoke the ban. This time things could be different.