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Despite claims by the Department of Defense that sexual assault in the military has been cut in half, female soldiers and counselors say the problem remains acute. NPR's John Burnett reports.

Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Friday took his presidential campaign to Westminster College in the Missouri town of Fulton. The college was the site of the famous "Iron Curtain" speech by Winston Churchill in 1946 and, earlier this week, of an anti-Kerry speech by Vice President Dick Cheney. Kerry said America faces a "moment of truth" in Iraq, and he used the occasion to call on President Bush to broaden the international coalition in Iraq. NPR's David Welna reports

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh tells the Sept. 11 panel that, given limited resources and legal authority, his agency did everything it could to fight terror prior to the 2001 attacks. The commission releases documents showing Attorney General John Ashcroft rejected an FBI request for more money on Sept. 10, 2001, and that fighting terror was not a Justice Department priority prior to Sept. 11. Hear NPR's Pam Fessler.

Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee in the 2004 presidential race, is trying to tout his plan for U.S. economic recovery. But he's finding it difficult to get anyone interested in anything other than Iraq and the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports from Chicago, where Sen. Kerry made a campaign speech Friday.

Next week members of the Sept. 11 commission will hear testimony from the current and former heads of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Commissioners want to know what structural reforms have taken place in government since Sept. 11, 2001, that would or could prevent future attacks. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer, public service professor Paul Light of New York University, and John MacGaffin, the CIA's former associate deputy director for operations.

In the final part of his series on the national mood, NPR's John Ydstie reports from East St. Louis, Mo., a predominantly African-American community that's been losing young people and not seeing much bounce from the upswing in the national economy. Better education is seen as a way out, but the people Ydstie spoke with say the federal No Child Left Behind Law is not helping their community. On the issue of Iraq, the group is against U.S. action there -- and very much against the president.

Attorney General John Ashcroft says the United States is in danger of being "hit hard" by the al Qaeda terrorist organization, noting intelligence suggesting a looming attack. Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller drew new attention to photos of seven suspected al Qaeda operatives at a news conference prompted by what Ashcroft called "a clear and present danger." NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

All Things Considered book reviewer Alan Cheuse offers his annual list for summer reading, with book suggestions from a mix of genres.

Thousands of demonstrators crowd the streets of Rome to protest U.S. policies on Iraq and terrorism as President Bush visits the Eternal City. He went to the Vatican Friday to present Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and later met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The pope, who opposed the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, blessed the appointment of a new Iraqi government in Baghdad. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with writer John Le Carre, also known as David Cornwell, about his latest novel, Absolute Friends. It's the story of two friends, one British, one German, who met as intelligence agents during the Cold War. Le Carre explains how that friendship -- and the writer's own conscience -- is tested by post-Cold War realities and the current conflict in Iraq.

Critic John Powers reviews Where to and Back, a newly released DVD trilogy from the late Austrian director Axel Corti. Written by Georg Stefan Troller, the films are loosely based on Toller's life as a Viennese Jew who took refuge in the United States as a teenager and then returned to Europe as an American soldier during World War II.

A few years ago, director Jake Kasdan awoke in the night with an idea: His next film would be a fake music biopic. The result was Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, about a musician with an identity crisis. Kasdan and star John C. Reilly join Fresh Air to talk about working on the film, now out on DVD.

Ten years ago, Kurt Cobain -- co-founder and lead singer of the group Nirvana -- apparently committed suicide. Cobain introduced the sound known as grunge to audiences around the world. His death prompted thousands of fans to hold vigils in his hometown of Seattle, Wash. Many likened its impact to the effect John Lennon's murder had on their parents. Marcie Sillman of member station KUOW has a remembrance.

Actor Tony Randall died Monday night; he was 84. Randall, best known for his role as Felix Unger on the 1970s sitcom [The Odd Couple, had] developed pneumonia following heart bypass surgery in December. Randall's career spanned decades on both screen and stage, where he often worked with theater director John Tillinger. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Tillinger.

Sen. John Kerry may delay accepting the Democratic Party's presidential nomination for a month after July's party convention. The move would allow him to raise more money. Once candidates are officially nominated, they're each expected to accept $75 million in federal funds to finance the fall campaign. Since the Democratic convention comes five weeks before the GOP convention, advisers say Kerry would be at a disadvantage. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

In Atlantic City, N.J., Democrat John Kerry began a series of campaign speeches that will focus on the economic difficulties facing middle-income Americans. Kerry called the federal budget deficit "reckless" and accused the Bush administration of saddling future generations with debt to pay for tax cuts for the rich. President Bush, meanwhile, said his economic stimulus program was working. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Former President Reagan's state funeral is being held at the Washington National Cathedral, which towers over the nation's capital. Bishop John Bryson Chane, the dean of the cathedral, says it was created as "a national house of prayer for all people." NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

The U.S. Department of Labor announces the addition of nearly 250,000 new jobs in April, marking the ninth sucessive month of U.S. job growth. The Bush administration hails the numbers, but Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry calls the job growth too slow, and notes the nation's overall unemployment rate did not change. Both Democrats and Republicans are touting their rival plans for job growth as the election nears. Hear NPR's Jim Zarroli.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won the Republican presidential nominating event in West Virginia Tuesday, claiming all 18 delegates at stake at the party's convention-style statewide caucus. Former Gov. Mitt Romney had led after the first round of voting. After that first round, Sen. John McCain's supporters threw their support to Huckabee to prevent a Romney win.

Three leading Republicans are competing hard for delegates in the large industrial state. Mitt Romney hopes to trade on the legacy of his late father, a former Michigan governor. John McCain hopes to capitalize on a bounce in the polls after his New Hampshire win, while Mike Huckabee seeks support from evangelicals.