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Legislators in the House and Senate came to an agreement this week on a proposal to increase the fuel efficiency standard for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. NPR's Elizabeth Shogren reports that the outlook for the legislation remains uncertain.

Hip-hop culture, with its street rhythms and explicit lyrics, is more relevant in advancing civil rights today than the peaceful messages of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., author Todd Boyd says. In an interview with NPR's Scott Simon, Boyd says hip hop artists use language as a political weapon that provokes and "makes people think." (Note: Contains language that some may consider offensive.)

The Eastport, Maine, Sarah Graves ladles up for her readers in her Home Repair Is Homicide series is picturesque, but not picture-perfect. In fact, it's a lot like the small town the author calls home — give or take a few dead bodies.

Millie Jackson carved a niche for herself in the 1970s with suggestive takes on soul songs that put her on the same forbidden shelf as the racy LPs of Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. At 62, she says she has no regrets and wouldn't change a thing.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on the New York Senate race between First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio. The polls show the race is close, with perhaps Clinton opening up a narrow lead. Some people say Lazio needs to run a more energized campaign. Others say Clinton is improving as a candidate.

Bats and owls and moths, oh my! A new book by journalist Marie Winn explores New York's Central Park when the sun goes down. She discovers the animals that play in the shadows and the mysteries that make the park come alive in the twilight.

Before RFK stadium was built, the Washington Senators played at Griffith Stadium, named after the club's longtime owner, Clark Griffith. Washington-area old-timers recall the sights, sounds and smells of the ballpark.

Critic Bob Mondello says Brad Bird's animated kitchen comedy, about a Paris rat who longs to be a haute-cuisine chef, "isn't just amusing, it's downright mouth-watering" — even as it's "engagingly down-to-earth" and temptingly funny about everything from critics to romantic mishaps.

New Mexico will be an important state in November's presidential election. It's among the states that could go for either Barck Obama or John McCain. Some Albuquerque voters remain, for the most part, decidedly undecided after watching Tuesday night's presidential debate.

We again feature THE JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO discussing and performing several of Harry Warren's songs.We continue with PHILIP FURIA on Harry Warren's role in the evolution of the Hollywood musical in the 1930's.Harry Warren's music publishing company, Four Jays Music, is now headed by his grand-daughter, JULIA RIVA. She talks about her grandfather and his music.12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air. . . We begin our Monday encore presentations of our series on American popular song, with our tribute to Harry Warren. He wrote such songs as I Only Have Eyes for You, Lullaby of Broadway, We're in the Money, and The More I See You. Our guest performers will be the John Pizzarelli trio. Join us for the next fresh air.

In his latest novel, You & Me, Padgett Powell continues the experimentation of his previous work The Interrogative Mood. Here, two Southern men sit on a porch, discussing everything from R. Crumb to human failure. No action, no attribution — just dialogue.

She could become the nation's new First Lady - but what does the nation know of Laura Bush? This week's GOP convention will give voters the first chance to see the woman who stands at the candidate's side. NPR's Wade Goodwyn spent time with Bush friends and associates and brings us this profile of Laura Bush.