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2: Biographer LAURENCE BERGREEN. Saturday May 11 is the 108th anniversary of Irving Berlin's birthday. Bergreen's biography of Berlin, entitled "As Thousands Cheer: The Life of Irving Berlin" , was first published in 1990 and re-issued in paperback (Da Capo Press) in 1996. (REBROADCAST from 6

Commentator David Brooks says that Robert Dole's presidential campaign has slowed down in the past few weeks, and he wishes the Dole camp were more invigorated. Brooks thinks more focus on substantial issues like taxes and race quotas would stir up the campaign.

has struck down the state's "Three strikes and you're out" law. After a third felony conviction, the law required a judge to hand down a sentence of 25 years to life. Only the prosecutor was allowed to waive the law. But the court's decision says that judges may waive the sentencing guidelines.

Senate minority leader Tom Daschle said today that no one should expect Congress to reach a deal anytime soon on passing health insurance reform that would make insurance portable from job to job. GOP amendments to the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill are the main obstacle to any agreement.

That's the title of a new CD from CRI Records, a label noted for serious releases of contemporary classical music. Is this a marketing ploy or is there a gay aesthetic that informs the work of these composers...something that can be captured or anthologized on disc? Dean Olsher talks to two of those represented on the CD: David Del Tredici (dell-TREH-dih-chee) and Ned Rorem who take different views on the merits of this project, a la "Point Counterpoint." John Corigliano (koh-RIG-lee-AH-noh), one of the most in-demand classical composers working today, was originally supposed to take part, but he withdrew after he saw the suggestive cover art. (8:00) (IN S

NPR's Mara Liasson reports on fallout in Washington following yesterday's conviction of former Clinton business partners James and Susan McDougal and Arkansas governor Jim Guy Tucker. The White House is trying to make the best of the situation...but the verdicts give new momentum to the Whitewater investigation.

to the Clinton administration's threat to impose punitive tariffs on products imported from China, while others worry about Chinese retaliation.

accelerated the race to name his successor as majority leader. The leading candidates are Majority Whip Trent Lott, his fellow Mississippian Thad Cochran, Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles, and Pete Domenici of New Mexico. Dole's decision to step down has given new life to his presidential bid, but it could prove costly to the Republican Senators in this election year.

Linda talks with Sandra Lynn Wood of Russellville, Arkansas, who was the forewoman of the Whitewater jury, about the outcome of the trial. CUTAWAY 1A 0:59 1B 4. JUROR II -- Linda continues her interview with Sandra Wood about the facts presented in the Whitewater trial. 5. POLITICAL FALLOUT -- NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that the verdict in the Whitewater trial has cast a shadow over President Clinton, who just a week ago was far ahead of Dole in the polls. Funder 0:29 XPromo 0:29 CUTAWAY 1B 0:29 RETURN1 0:29 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 1C 6. CHINA DISSIDENT -- Noah talks with Mike Jendrzejczyk (jenn-DREEZ-sick), the Washington Director of Human Rights Watch-Asia. Chinese police have detained dissident Wang Donghai (WAHNG dong-HY) after he and six other activists petitioned the National People's Congress on May 27th, demanding the release of political prisoners. Mr. Jendrzejczyk believes that paranoia in the Chinese government toward the democracy movement has increased in recent months as economic reforms have triggered more unrest. This recent round of arrests comes one week before the anniversary of the military crackdown that ended pro- democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4th, 1989.

As senators campaign hard for positions in the new Senate leadership line-up, members of both parties are pessimistic about their ability to achieve any substantive legislation in the rest of this Congress. There's no indication that the squabbling over the minimum wage and the gas tax will be resolved, while legislation on welfare, Medicaid, immigration, campaign finance reform, and insurance reform remains unfinished. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.