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NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Rome that an Italian cardinal has denounced the growing popularity of Halloween as an unwelcome foreign import. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini urged Italian children to follow traditional Catholic rituals honoring the dead tomorrow, November first -- when the Church celebrates as All Saints' Day. Italian sociologists worry about a revival of witchcraft. Until a few years ago, Halloween was unknown in Italy. This year, jack-o-lanterns adorn shop windows, and children are dressing up as witches and vampires.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on the arguments before the Supreme Court today on whether Clean Water regulations apply to a body of water contained within a state, but used as habitat by migrating birds. The justices are being asked to rule on whether the fate of the body of water is of concern only to that state, or, because of the impact on the birds, to the larger environment.

Linda talks to E.J. Dionne, Political Columnist for the Washington Post, and David Brooks, Senior Editor at The Weekly Standard, about the hotly contested states in the presidential race, and what both candidates must do put together a majority of electoral college votes.

Critic Tom Moon reviews the new CD from the rock band P.J. Harvey, called Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. The band is led by British singer/songwriter Polly Jean Harvey, who has earned a certain reputation for intensity. Her songs move from feverish punk distortion to rich acoustic blues, always with a heavy gloomy atmosphere. There is a sense of lives unraveling and promises shattered for her songs' characters. (4:45) Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea, is out today from Island Records, catalog # Islf 15162-2. See http://www.pjharvey.net or http://www.islandrecords.com for more information.

Robert talks to NPR's Eric Westervelt about the dismissal of attempted murder and assault charges against two New Jersey state troopers in a 1988 shooting on the New Jersey Turnpike. In dismissing the charges, the judge said prosecutors had abused their power and used unfair tactics. The troopers -- both white -- had argued that they fired in self defense injuring three of four men in a van they had pulled over for speeding. All four of those men are minorities. The case raised concerns about racial profiling. A remaining indictment against the troopers alleges the troopers tried to hid information about the race of the motorists.

Host Lisa Simeone talks with Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center, in Princeton, N.J. about recent polls with undecided voters who are steadfast in their uncertainty: up to one in four voters say they haven't made a final choice between Vice President Al Gore or Texas Governor George Bush for the Presidential election this year.

NPR's Madeline Brand reports on Vice President Al Gore's short campaign trip ahead of Tuesday's third and final debate with Republican Presidential candidate George W. Bush. Gore has been raising the issue of health care in stump speeches since his last Presidential debate.

Scott talks to Boston College psychology professor Joseph Tecce about the first two presidential debates between Vice President Gore and Governor Bush. Professor Tecce counted the number of times each candidate blinked during their encounter, which he says indicates how nervous they are.

Scott visits senior citizens in Miami, Florida tohear their feelings on the 2000 election. Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore have campaigned frequently in Florida. Both candidatesrecognize the importance of courting the senior vote and have dueled in thepresidential debates over their competing plans for social security and Medicare.

Scott recalls the 1993 pact between Yitzak Rabin and Yasser Arafat and wonders what can be done to rescue the peace process.