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Chicago passes a city ordinance that would require big retailers like Wal-Mart and Target to pay workers at least $13 an hour in wages and benefits within the next few years.Opponents are calling the measure illegal and planning to sue. Even Chicago's mayor is opposed. But for Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, the main question is whether the ordinance will bring better jobs or chase new ones away.

The latest NPR poll took the pulse of likely voters in the 50 most competitive House districts across the country. Forty of those seats are currently held by Republicans. The results suggest that the GOP's grasp on the majority may be fragile.

Just more than a year ago, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) stood in the way of controversial U.N. ambassador pick John Bolton. The Bush administration worked around Senate opposition by giving Bolton a recess appointment to the job. Now Bolton is back up for Senate confirmation.

Iraq's new constitution, drafted and passed by the interim Iraqi government, allows Iraqis to decide whether to follow civil law or their own tribal traditions -- which could include multiple wives, domestic violence and forcing women to cover their hair. Among those the decision affects the most are women, especially those seeking a divorce.

Nashville-based musician Moe Denham has spent a career getting the best from a Hammond B3 organ. After decades as a sideman and opening act, he's out with a new CD: The Soul Jazz Sessions.

The bill would overturn the president's 2001 limits on federal funding of embryonic-stem-cell research. Bush is expected to nix it. Congress appears to lack the votes for an override, but the debate could have an impact on congressional elections in fall.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on a measure to expand federally funded embryonic stem-cell research. If the measure is approved, it's likely to result in President Bush's first veto. The bill divides Republicans, and could be a factor in midterm Congressional elections.

The National Council of La Raza, a Latino civil rights group, holds its annual convention in Los Angeles this weekend. Representatives from thousands of organizations will discuss Latino clout at the voting booth, coalition politics and the growing Hispanic middle class.

Julia Glass, the acclaimed author of Three Junes, talks with Lynn Neary about her new novel, The Whole World Over. Glass says she stopped writing her book when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occured. Then she incorporated the event into her story when she felt compelled to start writing again.

T. Susan Chang grew up loving mint chip ice cream in all its pastel-green glory. During her grand culinary experiments as an adult to re-create that unnaturally vivid shade, Chang has rediscovered the transporting power of ice cream.