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The Federal Communications Commission votes to relax restrictions on media ownership, allowing media conglomerates to buy more TV stations and own a newspaper and broadcast network in the same city. Critics say the move will lead to less diversity of content and viewpoints. Hear NPR's Rick Karr.

NPR's Bob Mondello reviews Sweet Sixteen, a Scottish film about a tough teenager determined to raise enough money to buy a gift for his mother upon her release from prison -- a mobile home near the water.

Newsweek columnist Daniel Gross says a lot of people use home equity to buy big-ticket items, such as boats and cars, and those industries are already blaming a downturn in business on the problems in the housing market.

The Senate's new plan to battle the housing crisis includes tax breaks for homebuilders and tax credits to those buying foreclosed homes. It includes little helping for people who are facing foreclosure, however.

NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports on the voting machine business. Punch card machines, so widely-criticized during the recent presidential balloting in Florida, are used by some 30% of U.S. counties, cities and townships. The technology may be outdated and unreliable, but it is much cheaper than buying new, more advanced machines.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports that California Governor Gray Davis today signs emergency legislation that will allow the state to buy power to keep electricity flowing to residents for the short term. The Clinton administration has also ordered out-of-state natural gas suppliers to continue selling to one of the state's biggest, but nearly bankrupt, utilities.

John Burnett reports that California's energy crisis has not stopped Texas from moving full-speed ahead with utility deregulation. Officials in Texas point out that they have a surplus of electricity and that their plan differs dramatically from California's. For example, it avoids consumer price caps and does not force utilities to buy power in the volatile spot market.

Last April, Arizona implemented a program to clear up the smoggy skyline. The idea, give people tax breaks for buying clean cars. The problem, the state was a bit too generous, and citizens a bit too eager. Now the program's threatening to eat up seven percent of the budget. NPR's Mark Moran reports.

The continuing uncertainty about when the winner will be declared in the presidential election has brought calls for changes in how America votes. NPR's Brian Naylor has been hearing proposals that range from amending the constitution to offering federal aid to states to buy new voting machines. At least one House member wants to establish a nationwide poll closing time.

From member station KPBS in San Diego, Carrie Kahn reports on Mexican entrepreneurs are buying thousands of used trucks in the US and bringing them back to Mexico to be resold. The business flourished under an 8-month grace period the Mexican government allowed on import duties. With regular taxes being reinstated tomorrow, the price of used vehicles along the border is soaring.