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Vocational education programs such as shop and auto repair have disappeared from school offerings in recent years. But Ukiah High School north of San Francisco still has a wood shop, allowing students to experiment with hand tools and learn basic skills. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

A truly global economy and the ever-expanding reach of the Internet are compelling us all to "think globally." Yet the results of a new National Geographic-Roper study reveals young people aged 18 to 24 remain woefully ignorant about geography and world affairs. In fact, 83 percent of Americans quizzed couldn't find Afghanistan on a map. All Things Considered guest host Lynn Neary talks with National Geographic Society President John Fahey about the quiz results -- test your knowledge, and take the quiz online.

In January 1940, Irving Berlin, the most popular songwriter in America, raced into his office and asked his musical secretary to take down a new song. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the history of "White Christmas," a song Berlin said was the best he — or anyone — ever wrote.

As the terms of NAFTA gradually reduce protective tariffs on agricultural goods sent to Mexico, small farmers south of the border feel the effects. Many say NAFTA is destroying their livelihood. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports.

The city council in Holyoke, Mass., fights a federal plan to house Somali war refugees there. Council members argue Holyoke lacks the resources to handle the refugees, but many townspeople are working to help the newcomers to stay. Karen Brown of member station WFCR reports.

Host John Ydstie reviews the week's news with NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr.

A federal judge in Los Angeles temporarily blocks a portion of a new law that bars non-citizens from working as airport baggage handlers. The ACLU says the citizen requirement is irrational since it doesn't affect other airport employees. NPR's Rachael Myrow reports.

A newly unsealed report suggests energy companies deliberately manipulated California's electricity market. The report details conversations between the Williams Cos. and AES Corp., in which employees talk about extending power plant outages to profit from higher prices. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

The operators of the "Miss Cleo" psychic phone lines have agreed to pay $5 million to settle claims involving deceptive advertising, bill and collection practices. Lynn Neary and Robert Siegel tell us about it.

"We're not being revisionist. We're not waging a war on history," council member Inez Barron said. "We're saying that we want to make sure that the total story is told."