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NPR's Joanne Silberner reports that public health officials in New Jersey are taking precautions to protect residents of the state against the spread of West Nile virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. The disease is spread from birds, such as crows, to humans, who may or may not be aware they've been infected. Symptoms range from headaches to coma, and, in some cases the virus can be deadly.

Alex talks to Alston Chase, author of a cover story in this month's Atlantic Monthly magazine about Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. Chase says that while he was an undergraduate at Harvard, Kaczynsky participated in a psychological experiment that would be considered unethical by today's standards, and probably turned him into the Unabomber.

Noah talks to Marc Levoy, a computer scientist at Stanford University, who spent a year scanning Michaelangelo sculptures in Italy. He discovered that the eyes in the famous David sculpture are looking in two different directions. He says Michaelangelo used this "trick," so David could have a typical Roman profile from one perspective.

Kate Seelye reports on the birthplace of Syria's late President Hafez Al Assad, the small town of Qurdaha. Residents experienced considerable progress during Assad's lifetime. They hope Assad's son, Bashar, will be Syria's next President, because he's likely to continue to give the town favorable treatment.

Alex talks with Robert Shipp of the Marine Science department at the University of South Alabama about a recent and rare bull shark attack on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

Census experts with the American Statistical Association have been evaluating the state population numbers used to reallocate congressional seats and Electoral College votes for the next decade.

Prices have been climbing at the fastest pace in over a decade, as Americans pay more for gas, groceries and other items. The Labor Department issues its latest data for the month of August.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with television producer Norman Lear. This week, Lear and a partner purchased an original copy of the Declaration of Independence for $7.4 million. They plan to send the document around the country for the public to see.

Host Bob Edwards talks to technology writer Lauren Weinstein about "smart antennas." These are a new kind of antenna that may soon be on the market. They get better reception than traditional antennas, and are much less obtrusive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his first state of the union speech. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.