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Poet, performer, and punk rocker PATTI SMITH. Early in her career she lived with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and -- she says -- the two helped each other form and develop their individual talents. (Her 1975 debut album cover was photograph was taken by Mappelthorpe.) Terry talks with SMITH on the occasion of the publication of, "Mappelthorpe Altars," (Random House) the color companion volume to the collection of his black-and-white prints, "Mapplethorpe" published in 1992. Also SMITH has a new short book she wrote dedicated to Mappelthorpe, "The Coral Sea," (W.W. Norton). (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW

The Supreme Court sided with gay rights activists today by throwing out a Colorado constitutional amendment. The measure had said that laws could NOT be enacted that protected homosexuals from discrimination. The justices ruled against the amendment by a 6-to-3 vote. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the majority opinion said the amendment would have denied gays a political right enjoyed by other people...the right to seek protection against discrimination.

The Kitchen Sisters Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva report on a visit by former Yankee baseball player Joe DiMaggio to the Sicilian village of his ancestors. Despite nearly a year's worth of preparation by the townspeople of Isola della Femine (EE-sole-uh della FEM-ee-nuh) the visit did NOT go off as planned.

Marius Benson reports from Pretoria that South Africa's government today postponed for a third time provincial elections for the violence-torn region of KwaZulu-Natal (kwah-ZU-LU nah-TALL). Many feared such a move would touch off a political crisis, as the Inkatha Freedom Party had threatened to quit the government of national unity if the vote were put off again. But Inkatha's leader, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi (man-go-SOO-too booduh-LAY-zee), grudgingly accepted the move, which delays the May 29 vote for up to a month. The postponement grew out of concern that escalating violence between Inkatha and the African National Congress would make it impossible to hold the election without significant bloodshed.

Commentator Stuart Cheifet reports that Cyberspace allows everyone to be an active receipient of information, unlike previous media, like television or radio. We can move forward in cyberspace at the pace we determine.

What's behind the "discount" in a "discount airline" like ValuJet? NPR's Jim Zarroli reports on how the growing number of no-frills airlines cut their expenses, and whether an airline can lower operating costs without raising questions about safety.

Daniel talks with Boston Globe reporter Daniel Golden about a recent investigative report he wrote. He found that 11.5 billion dollars worth of unclaimed property is being held by the federal and state governments with little effort to find the owners. Golden says this is a growing trend as governments become more strapped for funds. He argues that governments have a responsibility to do more to return these funds. In his investigation, Golden was able to locate the owners of over $200,000 dollars worth of unclaimed property.

- NPR's Richard Harris explores why some noises are more annoying than others. Is it pitch? Perhaps fingernails across a chalkboard have too many high tones and not enough lows? Scientists have learned the secret and are applying their know how in all sorts of creative ways to make the world of sound more bearable.

Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Tom Gjelten about the ouster today of Rajko (RYE-ko) Kasagic (KAW-sa-gitch), the prime minister of the Bosnian Serb Republic, by Radovan (RAD-ah-VAN) Karadzic (KAIR-ah-jitch), the Bosnian Serb president. The moderate Kasagic was cooperating with the international community and his removal is seen as a significant blow to the peace process in Bosnia.

NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole announced today that he will leave the U.S. Senate to pursue his presidential campaign full-time. Dole's surprising announcement came after weeks of debate within the Republican party and the Dole campaign about whether his candidacy was better served from the floor of the Senate or out on the campaign trail. However, a series of legislative setbacks for the Republicans apparently convinced Dole that giving up his Senate seat would be the best route to take.