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Richard Marinick used a 10-year prison sentence to develop his writing skills. His novel Boyos portrays life among mobsters in the working class neighborhoods of South Boston. Marinick tells NPR's Scott Simon about the book.

Insurgents in Iraq step up attacks on workers contributing to the reconstruction of the battered nation. Commanders in Iraq say the U.S. can't withdraw its troops until Iraqis are able to take responsibility for their own security. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports.

George H.W. Bush says his decision to seek congressional backing for the 1991 Persian Gulf War removed the threat of impeachment. NPR's Cokie Roberts interviews Bush in the last of a series of conversations with three former presidents about the Constitution.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with "John," a soldier with the U.S. National Guard in Iraq, who keeps track of the birds and other creatures he has seen while on duty, and posts his observations on an internet "blog."

Creating a nest egg is considered key for people trying to beat poverty. An experimental program called IDAs -- individual development accounts -- helps low-income people save money. The program matches savings twice -- up to $2,000 -- by the federal government and a community- based non-profit. From San Francisco member station KALW, and New California Media, Holly Kernan reports.

Adobe Bookshop in San Francisco has an unusual organization method -- at least for a few weeks. The store's 20,000 used books are arranged according to the colors of the rainbow. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Chris Cobb, the artist behind the project.

After horror writer H.P. Lovecraft died in 1937, his friends founded a publishing house to preserve his legacy. Obscure but influential, Arkham House gave sci-fi writer Ray Bradbury and others their first big break. Wisconsin Public Radio's Brian Bull reports.

The nation's nuclear power plants are working to meet Friday's deadline to comply with new anti-terrorist security standards. They include more guards, more training, more barriers and better surveillance. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.

More than 3,000 supporters gather at a Baptist church in Nashville for a video broadcast called Justice Sunday II. Evangelical leaders called on conservative Christians to get involved and to fight what they call activist judges.

American and Afghan forces are on the offensive as Afghanistan's September election approaches. Afghan security forces say they killed a number of insurgents over the weekend. And the U.S military has been searching for insurgents along the border with Pakistan. Knight-Ridder correspondent Jonathan Landay says the Taliban is offering stiff resistance, despite the U.S. offensive.