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NPR's Scott Simon talks to Wayne Harris, the man behind DB drag racing, an extreme audio sport in which contestants try to make their car stereos deafeningly loud. "DB" stands for "decibel." Microphones, not human ears, are inside the cars when the competition starts. The car with the loudest stereo system wins.

James Lee Witt, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, played a quiet role in the investigation of the 1996 crash of TWA flight 800 off Long Island. Now FEMA has a similar task as it supervises recovery of debris from space shuttle Columbia. Witt talks with NPR's Scott Simon.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame gives Jimmy Webb the Johnny Mercer Award for "a history of outstanding creative works." Among his classics: "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Galveston" and "Wichita Lineman." NPR's Scott Simon offers an appreciation.

The rise in the number of girls and gangs and their influence in communities around the country, including suburban America, is the topic of countless research projects nationwide. Law enforcement is also catching up, and the U.S. social-service system has begun to respond. All are looking at the fact that girls and gangs are their own social phenomenon. They require an approach that is often different than competing traditional male-dominated gangs. NPR's Jacki Lyden examines the new roles of girls and gangs.

Indonesian authorities arrest a man they say is the Singapore-based leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a terrorist group allegedly linked to al Qaeda. Experts say Islamic militant groups are spreading throughout Southeast Asia. NPR's Michael Sullivan reports.

Prompted by new information about the number of fatalities in sport utility vehicle accidents, the National Highway Safety Administration considers new standards for SUVs. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Danny Hakim of The New York Times.

During the 1991 Gulf War, retreating Iraqi troops blew up and set ablaze many of Kuwait's oil fields, leaving massive oil spills and an environmental disaster. Now some military analysts say a desperate Saddam Hussein could once again attack Kuwait's oil fields -- or wreck his own to try to slow any U.S. attack. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

The death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on a film set in Santa Fe, N.M., is a reminder that prop weapons can pose a serious risk. But Hollywood history includes only a few such incidents.

Guest host Jacki Lyden speaks with University of Chicago political scientist John Mearsheimer about the argument for Saddam Hussein's containment and why it did not prevail in Washington.

Maine's Senate passes a resolution urging further diplomatic efforts in Iraq. More than 50 municipalities have passed similar resolutions, and several other state legislatures are considering them. Fred Bever of Maine Public Radio reports.