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Boxer Laila Ali. Shes the only one of heavyweight champ Mohammed Alis nine children to choose a life in the ring. Her recent bout with Jacqui Frazier was the most highly publicized female boxing event ever. Shes written an autobiography called REACH! Finding Strength, Spirit and Personal Power.

Gutting fish is a cold, wet and smelly job. But if you're willing to put in the hours, the pay can make up for the unpleasant conditions. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on a "slime line" in Juneau, Alaska, as part of Morning Edition's series on "dirty work."

In 1963, when she was only 16, Lesley Gore recorded one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To. Gore has stayed in the business since the 60s, and she's currently appearing at the New York City club, Rainbow and Stars. Rhino records released a two record retrospective of her greatest hits in 1991.

Husband and wife song writing team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the duo responsible for such songs as Youve Lost that Loving Feeling, On Broadway, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, Here You Come Again, Dont Know Much, and more. The two met when they were both working in the famous songwriting landmark, the Brill Building Mann as a composer and Weil as a lyricist. The two have been writing ever since. In edition to their many pop hits, Mann and Weil have also written songs for films.

For centuries, sugar has been the foundation of the Cuban economy, and a key part of the country's identity. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Fidel Castro's government is drastically downsizing the sugar industry because of economic pressures, and transforming some of the old sugar mills into attractions for a more profitable industry: tourism.

The Latin jazz drummer has released more than 20 albums, including the 1999 Grammy winner, Latin Soul. Features in the series are produced by David Schulman and NPR's Jeffrey Freymann-Weyr.

Twenty-five years ago Friday, the world lost the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley. NPR's Joshua Levs reports on the enduring appeal of Elvis, both for those who remember the rock icon when he was alive and among a new, young generation of fans. NPR Online marks the anniversary with vintage NPR coverage, music cuts including "Annoying Elvis" music, and an Elvis trivia quiz.

Weekend Edition Sunday music director Ned Wharton reviews three CDs highlighting jazz groups working the so-called "jam-band" circuit, attracting young rock fans to a new breed of jazz: Medeski Martin and Wood's Uninvisible (Blue Note), Stanton Moore's Flyin' the Koop (Verve) and John Scofield's Uberjam (Verve).

Journalist Thomas Ricks covers the military for The Washington Post. Last week the Senate held hearings about Iraq. Ricks will discuss possible scenarios for a U.S. attempt to topple Saddam Hussein, and the likelihood of such an action. Ricks has also reported on U.S. military activities in Somalia, Haiti, Korea, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Prior to joining The Post, Ricks wrote about the military for The Wall Street Journal. He's also the author of the novel A Soldier's Duty, about a U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan.

Sculptor Joseph McNally, a member of the religious order of Christian Brothers, says a spiritual calling took him to Singapore to teach art. His own work, much of it carved from bog oak, evokes Chinese characters and carries a sense of singularity. Alex Van Oss has Brother McNally's story for Weekend Edition Sunday.

Nick Lowe is a songwriter, musician, and producer whose influence on modern rock has far outstripped his chart performance. He talks with NPR's Joe Palca about his storied career and his new album, The Convincer, for All Things Considered Saturday.

Storyteller Mitch Myers tells the story of guy who made it his mission to shout out "Freebird!" at concerts.