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Russell Lewis of member station KPBS reports hot temperatures across California have led to soaring electricity demand and cost. In San Diego, the cost has forced some businesses to close and caused some experts to question the effectiveness of the state's utility deregulation.

David Brower of member station KRWG in New Mexico reports that two of the state's leading training centers for the blind have settled their philosophical differences and are now teaching classes together.

NPR's Mark Roberts reports from McCall, Idaho that there are dozens of major fires burning in 10 western states. US Army soldiers, are preparing to join regular firefighters in an effort to contain the wildfire in the Payette National Forest. Groups of soldiers are receiving training from members of elite firefighting teams.

Veteran newsman Robert Trout has the second of two reports about the history of the Republican party, through his own reporting on the last 17 conventions over a period of nearly seventy years. Today, Trout picks up in the late 1940's and early 1950's, and the fight between moderates and conservatives -- between the forces of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert A. Taft. Eisenhower won. But the pendulum swung back in the 1960's with the nomination of Barry Goldwater. Ultimately, Trout points out that the struggle between moderate and conservative still marks party proceedings today.

NICHOLAS KRISTOF continued.Satirist HARRY SHEARER, the host of "Le Show," and the voice behind several characters on "The Simpsons". SHEARER is also the author of "It's the Stupidity, Stupid: Why (Some) People hate Clinton and Why the Rest of Us Have to Watch." This week he is in Philadelphia as part of the "Shadow Convention" an alternative to the Republican and Democratic conventions, which covers the issues it says the other conventions won't touch like campaign finance reform, poverty in the midst of prosperity, and the drug war. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE END OF THE SHOW).12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next Fresh Air. . . as George W. Bush makes his way to the Republican convention. . .a look at his life before he was a public figure. A talk with NICHOLAS KRISTOF of the New York Times, who has profiled the candidate in a series of articles. Also satirist HARRY SHEARER gives us his take on the convention. That and more coming up on the next Fresh Air.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from London on the tributes to Sir Alec Guinness, one of the greats of the British stage, screen and television who died over the weekend at the age of 86. He was an exceptionally versatile actor, whose roles ranged from Hamlet, to upper-class eccentrics in Kind Hearts and Coronets to George Smiley in the televised versions of John le Carre's spy thrillers, to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. (4:00) Music played at 1 minute before the hour was the theme from "Lawrence of Arabia" as performed by the Ventures, from the CD "Now Playing", copyright 1975, EMI Records.

NPR's Snigdha Prakash says women receive a smaller share of venture capital money than men. She claims men and women approach business in different ways, and women are less aggressive about their ideas--which put them at a disadvantage.

NPR's Laura Sydell reports that the Smithsonian Institution will return an important cultural artifact to a Native American group today. For the past 80 years, the brain of the last Yahi Indian has been part of the Smithsonian's collection of Native American remains.

NPR's Margot Adler reports on Senator Joseph Lieberman's identity as an Orthodox Jew and how it might affect Al Gore's prospects for winning the Presidency. Lieberman is known for his morality and moderation. He was the first Democrat in the Senate to denounce President Clinton's sexual behavior as immoral. And he's been highly critical of violence and sex on television and in popular music.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr takes a look at Al Gore's unorthodox choice for a running mate, orthodox Jew Jospeh Lieberman.

Veteran Missouri Congressman Bill Clay is retiring after 32 years in office. The state's first African-American congressman, he is extremely popular and has proven to be unbeatable during his career. But his bid to anoint his son as his successor is finding some resistance in tomorrow's Democratic primary. From St. Louis, Kevin Lavery of member station KWMU reports. (4:45) Music following story: theme from "Dynasty", from the CD "Television's Greatest Hits of the 70s and 80s".

NPR's Jack Speer reports on questions surrounding the future of Amtrak, the national passenger rail service. Almost 30 years after it was created from a group of bankrupt railroads, Amtrak still receives large federal subsidies. Even though there are more passengers on the rail service, it's still losing money and shows little sign of becoming profitable. Amtrak also is being criticized for delays in starting high-speed passenger rail service along the busy Northeast corridor.