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Robert talks to Ed Buttke of the Riverside Cemetery, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, about the theft of American flags from the headstones there. The culprits: some very unpatriotic squirrels.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the price of a barrel of crude oil dropped today in response to Saudi Arabia's announcement that it is ready to increase its productions. The Saudi decision could mean somewhat lower fuel prices in the United States.

Robert talks with Yale University History Professor Ron Butler, author of Becoming America: The Revolution Before 1776. Butler says even before the American Revolution, the colonies were really starting to develop the unique character of a modern nation. He contends that during the years 1680 to 1770, ordinary Americans were already becoming revolutionary, merely in how they went about their daily lives. Butler is the William Coe Professor of American Studies and History, and Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports a study published this week shows the success of an effort by the state of Georgia to make sure children of welfare families are immunized against diseases like polio and diptheria. But some have criticized the program -- which imposes sanctions against welfare families if kids don't get their shots. The study can be found in week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on the possibility that Deutsche Telekom will acquire Sprint, if federal regulators succeed in blocking the proposed merger between Sprint and Worldcom. But a merger between the German telecommunications company and Sprint also could face opposition from regulators.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that President Clinton has announced a new Middle East summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barka and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The leaders will come to Washington to try to advance the stalled Middle East peace process. The announcement prompted another of Barak's coalition partners, Natan Shransky, to declare that he will resign from the government and take his small party out of the government.

The Washington Monument, which has been closed for renovations for the last three years, is ready to open to the public again. Yesterday the park service held a ceremony to announce the opening and explain what changes were made.

Celeste Headlee of member station KNAU reports on a new classical work that incorporates Native American musicians, singers, and dancers. Guardians of the Grand Canyon, composed by Brent Michael Davis, honors the Havasupai tribe which owns a large part of the canyon.

Quil Lawrence reports on the Kurds living in northern Iraq. Because of UN air patrols, the Kurds are relatively independent of Iraqi control, and have a greater level of freedom and prosperity than many other people in Iraq.

NPR's Julie Rovner reports on the rising costs faced by HMOs participating in Medicare. Early indications from industry surveys suggest more companies than ever will pull out of the program for financial reasons, causing thousands of people to have to change their health care plans.