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The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported a case that's likely to raise new questions about the safety of the nation's blood supply. A Utah man repeatedly tested negative for HIV when he donated plasma even though he was apparently infected with the AIDS virus, according to the CDC. Officials say the case is extremely unusual and the blood supply remains very safe. But NPR's Joe Neel reports that the Food and Drug Administration wants blood banks to start using a new, more accurate test to reduce even further the chances of becoming infected with HIV through a blood transfusion from such donors.

Joanne Silberner reports that today, the House Ways and Means Committee began consideration of a health insurance bill that would guarantee that millions of Americans would not lose coverage because of a pre-existing condition when they become unemployed or switch jobs. The legislation has broad bipartisan support, but House Republicans have tacked on a lot of amendments that are opposed by the Senate. How Senator Dole handles the Republican mavericks in the House has implications for his presidential candidacy.

Tandaleya Wilder of Connecticut Public Radio reports that some residents of Greenwich, Connecticut are in a snit over the issue of private music lessons taught in homes. One teacher hired a lawyer when she was told she was breaking the law by having students pound the ivories in her living room.

NPR's Peter Overby reports..advocates of campaign finance reform haven't given up on the idea of passing a bill this year. One thing they are trying to do is to tie it to public interest issues. For example..saying reform is needed to make sure more women get elected to congress..or to make sure there are toughter cigarette regulations.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu sights new discoveries and inventions in Romania and says these are a sign that his former countrymen are mistaking capitalism for oxygen.

Senator Robert Dole of Kansas has unofficially captured the Republican Presidential nomination. After Tuesday night's primaries, he carries more than the necessary 980 delegates. Mr. Dole is now on his way to being a leader in the White House. We talk with people who know Mr. Dole well in Congress the place where he is an effective leader. Linda Wertheimer talks with Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, a friend and colleague of Mr. Dole's, and with Jake Thompson of the Kansas City Star, a journalist who has followed Dole for several years and has written a biography about Mr. Dole.

Commentator Reuven Frank says it's the horserace (who's ahead, who's behind?) that the people are interested in hearing about -- and it should be the horserace that reporters report. (3:15) CUTAWAY 1A 0:59 1B 3. TOBACCO -- NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that the power, both political and financial, that tobacco companies have long had seems to be waning.

An audio postcard from Howard Berkes. Though the calendar says it's the first day of Spring, there's still plenty of snow in the mountains outside Salt Lake City.

NPR's Jon Greenberg reports..a federal judge in Little Rock said today the President Clinton is to testify by videotape in the trial of Clinton's former Whitewater partners James and Susan McDougal. The judge said that Clinton doesn't have to testify in person because it would be too much of a burden. But he rejected Clinton's request to get the questions in advance.