September 29, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Fed Cuts Key Interest Rate -- NPR's John Ydstie reports Federal Reserve policymakers reduced a key interest rate today by a quarter point in an effort to shield the economy from a worldwide downturn. The Fed Funds rate -- the rate at which banks borrow money from each other on an overnight basis -- now stands at 5.25 percent. It was the first time the Fed has cut interest rates since January of 1996. (4:00)

Inside the Fed -- All Things Considered host Noah Adams talks with Lyle Gramley, a former governor of the Federal Reserve Board. Gramley says that Fed meetings usually last for four hours, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. While Board members frequently have differing opinions on the state of the economy, Gramley says the solemnity of the meetings prevents tempers from flaring. While Chairman Greenspan presides over the meetings, Gramley says all of the Board members state their opinions and deliberate openly before voting on business before the Board. (4:00)

Cheap New Cars -- All Things Considered host Linda Wertheimer talks with Christopher Cedergren, the managing editor of NexTrend, a marketing and research firm focused on the automotive industry. They talk about the start of the new car model year; whether it's a good time to buy a new or used car; the hottest-selling new cars; and the impact of Internet shopping and car superstores on the car market. (4:00)

JFK Review Board -- A board that has been searching out confidential documents on the John Kennedy assassination is condemning much of the secrecy surrounding the material. The board says the government unnecessarily kept so much confidential that it fostered distrust of democratic institutions. Members of the board, which is going out of business this week, hope such groups will be set up in similar circumstances in the future. NPR's Barbara Bradley reports. (3:30)

China Bombing Documents -- Linda talks with Kai Bird, the author of a biography of William and McGeorge Bundy called "The Color of Truth." he is also the author of a book on nuclear weapons and nuclear power called "hiroshima's Shadow." They discuss a plan considered in 1964 by the Johnson Administration that would have sent bombing raids into China to keep that nation from developing nuclear capability. The plan is detailed in documents recently released by the State Department. McGeorge Bundy supposedly supported the plan. (Note: "The Color of Truth" by Kai Bird is published by Simon & Schuster.) (4:30)

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis -- Until now, women who want to determine whether their fetus has a genetic abnormality have had to rely on tests like amniocentesis, performed many weeks after conception. But as NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca reports, a new procedure called preimplantation genetic diagnosis permits doctors to detect genetic diseases before pregnancy even begins. So far, the test has been used by couples seeking to screen out diseases like Tay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemia. Palca follows a couple who has already had one child with cystic fibrosis -- the couple wants to keep from having a second child with the disease. Geneticists say the test might one day be used for more common conditions like cancer and heart disease, raising ethical concerns. (12:00)

Baldness and Ball Caps -- Commentator David Greenberger appreciates a good baseball cap, but he is disturbed by the use of baseball caps for advertising. He also decries the wearing of baseball caps by men hoping to hide a receding hair line. (2:30)

'A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request' -- In honor of the Chicago Cubs' victory last night, which allowed them to proceed in the National League Divisional Playoffs, we hear Steve Goodman singing his composition "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." The last time the Cubs made it to the playoffs was in 1989; the last time they made it to the World Series was in 1945. The last time they actually won the World Series was in 1908. (Note: The recording "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman is from the album No Big Surprise from Red Pajama Records, 800-521-2112. Their Web site can be accessed at www.ohboy.com.) This item is unavailable due to copyright issues.

Georges Aftermath -- NPR's John Burnett in Pascagoula, Mississippi reports residents of Mississippi's Gulf Coast are assessing the damage from Hurricane Georges' landfall there yesterday. The storm knocked down trees and power lines and the storm surge and heavy rains caused flooding throughout the area. Many people who have spent the last 2 nights in emergency shelters may have to remain there until at least tomorrow because flood waters are preventing them from going home. (4:00)

Democratic Split -- NPR's Brian Naylor reports on preparations by liberal activists and unions to launch an advertising campaign to support Democratic initiatives and to attack congressional Republicans for neglecting legislative chores while exploiting the Lewinsky scandal for political gain. But not all Democrats are pleased with the effort, arguing that the money needed for such an advertising effort might better be spent on individual congressional candidates. (4:00)

Defense Readiness -- NPR's Martha Raddatz reports from Washington that the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a congressional committee today that budget cuts have seriously eroded military readiness. The Pentagon leaders called for increased military spending, with provisions to hike pay for uniformed personnel and to update weapons. (4:00)

Wilson Vetoes Gun Measures -- NPR's Richard Gonzales reports that California Governor Pete Wilson has has vetoed several gun control bills. One of them was designed to strengthen the state's landmark assault-weapons ban. The vetoes stopped the Democratic legislature's attempts to restrict the availability of weapons. (2:30)

California Primary -- Linda talks with Bill Carrick, a Democratic political strategist, and Scott Reed, the former executive director of the Republican National Committee. They discuss the impact of California's decision to move its presidential primary up to March 7, 2000 -- the earliest date allowed under party rules. This move is expected to further nationalize the campaign process, giving California a bigger voice in determining who will ultimately be nominated for the presidency. It could also elevate the importance of fundraising, and hurt underdog candidates. (5:00)

Tom Bradley Dies -- Former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley -- the first African-American mayor of the city -- died today at the age of 80. Bradley had suffered a heart attack and stroke in 1996. NPR's Mandalit delBarco has this overview of Bradley's life and career. (2:30)

Methodone Debate -- NPR's Libby Lewis reports on the recent debate over methadone -- a debate sparked by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's plans aimed at ending methadone treatment at city-owned clinics that treat heroin addicts. White House drug chief, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, was in New York today and announced plans to make it easier for heroin addicts to get methadone -- the synthetic narcotic used to treat heroin addiction. Mayor Giuliani has attacked the effectiveness of methadone -- and the fact that it is highly addictive. (10:00)

Killer Sprouts -- Alfalfa sprouts -- that natural food beloved of vegetarians and the Birkenstock set -- can be dangerous to your health. Recently the FDA put out a warning about cases of bacterial contamination of sprouts, which are grown under conditions that sometimes encourage salmonella and harmful types of e. coli. NPR's Dan Charles reports on efforts by sprout growers to restore faith in their product, which is suffering serious setbacks in the market since the FDA's warning. (4:00)

Star Burst -- NPR's Richard Harris reports that NASA has discovered that a burst of gamma and x-ray radiation hit the earth on August 27th. Scientists say it's the strongest pulse of energy ever to strike the earth from a source beyond the solar system. The burst lighted the Earth's top-most layer for about five minutes. The energy pulse has been traced to a distant star. (4:00)