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NPR's David Welna reports that United Airlines is canceling two thousand flights in September. United says a continuing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots is contributing to the cancellations. But the pilots disagree, and say passengers should blame United Airlines management because it failed to prepare for the summer flight schedule.

Sixty-six large fires are burning in the western United States today. This is being called the worst fire season in fifty years. NPR's Aaron Schachter reports on the financial cost of this year's firefighting.

As part of NPR's summer jobs series, Patty Murray reports from Door County, Wisconsin on the Peninsula Players. Professional actors and college students share meals and cabins all summer while putting on five plays. The director casts people willing to be "good campers" while appreciating the opportunity to concentrate on their craft among the pines by the lake. (5:00) Music played one minute before the hour: "Some Cow Fonque" from the CD "Buckshot LeFonque" by the band of the same name, headed by Brandford Marsalis, copyright 1994, Sony Music Entertainment.

NPR's Elaine Korry reports the advent of the Internet -- and Web-based travel companies -- has forced many travel agencies to change their approach or go out of business. While some agents have closed, others have specialized - in travel for disabled people, or in adventure travel. Still others have taken their businesses online in order to compete.

In Nashville today, Al Gore formally introduced his runningmate, Senator Joseph Lieberman. The two-term Senator from Connecticut is the first person of Jewish faith to be nominated for a major party ticket, and he thanked Gore "for making this miracle possible." The two Democrats then set their sights on the GOP ticket and the race ahead. NPR's Anthony Brooks was there.

Safety advocates today called on Ford Motor Company and Japan's Bridgestone Corporation, makers of Firestone tires, to pull certain models of truck tires off the market. Analysis of accident statistics show sport utility vehicles with these tire models are several times more likely to be involved in road crashes than similar SUV's with different tires. NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports. (4:00) Please note: The US Department of Transportation consumer hotline number to report tire incidents is 1-888-327-4236.

NPR's Martin Kaste reports from Santiago that the supreme court of Chile has voted that former dictator Augusto Pinochet may be stripped of immunity against prosecution. That ruling clears the way for the aging general to be put on trial for the kidnappings and presumed murders of political opponents during the years when his military regime ruled Chile. Families of the so-called "disappeared" have been seeking information about the victims as well as prosecution of those responsible.

Commentator Jim Sleeper says news that Senator Joe Lieberman will be the first Jew on a major national ticket says volumes about past mistakes of the Democratic party. He says Lieberman is a return to the party's center. Had the party kept Lieberman's kind of balance of faith and political pragmatism, of family values and social justice, says Sleeper, a lot of its faithful wouldn't have left to become neo-conservatives.

Music reviewer Reuben Jackson talks about pianist, composer, and band leader Myra Melford's latest CD Dance Beyond the Color. Jackson says Melford has infused the jazz landscape with originality and vision since her emergence in 1991 — and this CD continues in that tradition. (4:00) Please note: The CD is produced by Arabesque recordings.

'Have you seen my wallet? I can't find her anywhere.' In the second part of a series on life in Paris, commentator David Sedaris struggles to master the gender of French nouns, and in the process, learns some interesting things about the French language.