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NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case about who owns the right to commercial use of a theatrical character -- the actor who played the part, or the studio for which it was created. The case centers on a lawsuit filed against Paramount studios by the actors who played barflies Cliff and Norm on the Cheers TV series. It returns now to the California courts.

Linda talks to Bill Rempel, National Correspondent and Investigative Reporter for the Los Angeles Times, about the concealed weapons law in Texas. Rempel's report in today's paper says hundreds of people with criminal backgrounds, many of them violent, have gotten the concealed carry licenses in Texas. That's despite a vow by Texas Governor George W. Bush for rigorous background checks.

Jason Beaubien reports from Boston on the Johnston and Murphy company's exhibit of shoes worn by Presidents Lincoln through Bush. It reveals some interesting traits about the nation's top feet and the men attached to them. The exhibit is on display at the University of Massachusetts, where the Republican and Democratic candidates meet tonight for a debate.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's arguments before the Supreme Court on whether police should be allowed to stop cars at random and expose them to drug-sniffing dogs. The case from Indianapolis involved a roadblock-style action, similar to sobriety checkpoints. In this case, the motorist had no drugs, but was outraged, saying his privacy had been invaded by the dog search. Police say the dog search is no more invasive than the alcohol roadblock, which the court has upheld. Today, the justices asked both sides where a line could be drawn between checking for impaired drivers and those who are transporting illegal goods.

As an appetizer for tonight's first Presidential debate, Bob talks with Alan Schroeder, (SHROH-der), author of the new book, Presidential Debates: 40 Years of High Risk TV. They revisit some of the memorable moments from debates gone by: Kennedy's ease and grace under the camera lights; Gerald Ford's unintended liberation of Poland; Ronald Reagan's "there you go again;" and Ross Perot's unpredictable jokes. (7:35) (Stations: book's publisher is Columbia University P

From Athens, Georgia Steve Lickteig reports on the city's struggle to preserve an unusual monument — the railroad trestle pictured on the cover of native rock band REM's break-out album Murmur.

Today is the tenth anniversary of German reunification. The BBC's Horsley reports from the anniversary celebration. (2:52-3:01) More information about German reunification can be found on on www.germany-info.org

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel When We Were Orphans(Knopf) by Kazu Ishiguro.

Noah talks with Steve Erlanger, a New York Times correspondent in Belgrade, about the political situation in Yugoslavia. President Slobodan Milosevic made a surprise address on Serbian television today, as citizens staged strikes and demonstrations to demand he concede defeat in last month's presidential election. Milosevic painted the Yugoslav opposition as traitors and lackeys of the West. People in the countryside seemed to heed the opposition's strike call with more enthusiasm than residents of Belgrade. The government seems particularly worried about work stoppages at two big coal mines. Meanwhile, Vojislav Kostunica -- the opposition candidate who says he won the September 24th vote outright -- repeated his refusal to take part in a second round of voting.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that Russia is resisting pressure from the Yugoslav opposition and from Western governments to persuade Slobodan Milosevic to step down. President Vladimir Putin has offered to meet both Milosevic and opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica in Moscow. He has offered to mediate their dispute over the results of last month's presidential elections in Yugoslavia. But a statement released by Putin's office implies that the election should go to a second round, as Milosevic is insisting.