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Police departments are on heightened alert around the country, stepping up their presence at bridges, tunnels and power plants. But state and local governments say they need federal help to maintain this level of increased security. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Questions are being raised about BP's maintenance practices after a corroded pipeline forced the company to halt oil production at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. BP says it was surprised by the extent of the pipeline problem. Critics say the company is not as vigilant as it should be.

The Texas Republican Party abandons its court fight to replace former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on the November ballot. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia rejected the party's request to block an appeals court ruling that says DeLay's name should remain on the ballot.

The New York City Health Board holds a public hearing on its plan to ban anything more than tiny amounts of trans fats at the city's 20,000 restaurants. New York would become the first large American city to strictly limit trans fats, although Chicago is considering a smaller plan. The final New York board vote is in December.

Corrections officials have complained for years that America's prisons and jails are becoming the country's new asylums for the mentally ill. A recent Justice Department study supports that claim. It says more than half of all prison and jail inmates have experienced mental health problems in the last year.

The Department of Homeland Security is increasing its presence along the U.S.-Mexican border. But qualifications for border patrol agents are tough, and recruiters struggle to meet their quotas. Those who do complete training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico often leave for greener pastures. Carrie Kahn reports.

President Bush's call for more science funding comes amid criticism of his administration's approach to scientific research. Scientists say the White House puts ideology first. The president's chief science adviser calls the complaints "irrelevant."

An old inquiry rises again with the disgrace of Congressman Randy Cunningham. Why does San Diego continue to have so many bigtime crooks?

San Diego is recognized as the leading local government in the United Stated using renewable energy. But is the city taking advantage of its sunny weather to move ahead with solar energy to meet its o

In the absence of a comprehensive immigration reform package, the House of Representatives passed a border security bill on September 14 that calls for more than 800 miles of fencing, more lights, mor