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Companies are recalling foods containing genetically modified corn that has not been approved for human consumption. But as NPR's John Nielsen reports, government officials are still struggling to determine whether the corn presents a health hazard.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports that a traditional game of deliberately submitting to electric shocks is still being played in Mexico as well as Central and South America. Practitioners approach people, often in bars, and for a small fee, attach them to a device that applies an electric shock, which intensifies until the client can no longer take it. People who play call it say it's a fun game of endurance. But some American doctors question the safety of the practice, especially for people who have undiscovered heart problems.

NPR's Richard Knox looks at how doctors in Maine have turned against their long-time allies, the pharmaceutical companies. At issue are high drug prices that the companies now charge. Doctors say prices have reached a level where many patients can't afford to take the drugs they need, severely affecting not only the patients, but also their ability to practice good medicine. Three major pharmaceutical companies stopped shipping their drugs to Maine in reaction to the state's drug price-control law, which most doctors support. The pullout has only escalated tensions between the once-friendly groups.

Linda talks to Dennis Boroczk, who is overseeing a project to retrofit a Boeing 747 airplane with an infrared telescope and doors that can open to allow the telescope to be used during flight at an altitude of 41-thousand feet. Boroczk is Program Manager at the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy at Raytheon Labs. The high-flying telescope will allow scientists to make infrared measurements of a variety of heavenly objects, such as stars, galaxies, and quasars. The effort is a joint project of between NASA and the German Aerospace Center, with Raytheon making the modifications.

With a little more than a week before Election day, things are heating up between the presidential campaigns. An ad supporting Governor Bush is causing some controversy. We have two reports, first from NPR's Anthony Brooks with the the Gore campaign, then NPR's Peter Kenyon with Governor Bush.

Scott speaks with NPR's Brian Naylor about how Republican leaders and the President are odds over a tax and spending bill right before the election.

Andrea Bernstein, of member station WNYC, reports on the New York Republicans' efforts to find a candidate to fill Rick Lazio's congressional seat.

A federal court judge in Portland, Maine has issued a temporary injunction, preventing the state of Maine from carrying a new law intended to lower prescription drug prices. The drug industry sought the injunction, claiming that the law was unconstitutional because it attempts to force companies to negotiate discounts on drugs. The state has not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling. Charlotte Renner of Maine Public Radio reports.

Half of New York City woke up happy today, and the other half depressed. NPR's Margot Adler reports on the aftermath of the "Subway Series."

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports on a coal mine pond that gave way in eastern Kentucky, releasing 250-million gallons of thick black sludge that polluted streams, killed fish and cut off drinking water supplies. Cleanup is under way.

Commentator Lenore Skenazy says Halloween has taken on the commercial importance of Christmas, much to her chagrin. It used to be a relatively unadorned festival. Now it's full of lawn ornaments, lights and plastic tchotchke.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on a cyber-break-in at Microsoft's headquarters this week. Microsoft says hackers accessed blueprints for software -- but didn't see codes for the most popular products such as Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Microsoft Office. The company said the programs that were involved were still under development and had not been corrupted or tampered with.