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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez depends on oil for half the government's revenue and almost all of its export earnings. As oil prices rose to historic highs, Venezuela's spending increased accordingly. A continued drop in oil revenue could put a major pinch on Chavez's ambitious social programs.

For more than a decade, Tim Eyman has been known as Washington state's ballot initiative king. He puts a new initiative on the ballot every year, and he has more raw political power than almost any single member of the state legislature.

The Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department are involved in the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Fed is also the potential owner of American Insurance Group. Its capacity to handle the takeovers is examined.

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter's new album, Little Wild One, tackles the subjects of post-Sept. 11 New York City and motherhood. Osborne discusses the record and how her new appreciation of New York helped provide the inspiration.

A handful of states will have immigration-related ballot measures this fall. One group that failed to get an immigration crackdown on its state ballot is pushing for restrictions by other means.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have urged lawmakers to swiftly pass a $700 billion bailout. They told the Senate Banking Committee that inaction on the plan posed the risk of a recession.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy plans to reform public broadcasting to improve its service. Critics say his overhaul will return it to a state-run model from decades ago that had much less freedom and independence. Sarkozy says French public broadcasting is bloated and inefficient, and his changes will make it more competitive.

Missouri is once again a battleground state in the presidential election. The Show Me State has almost always gone with the winner. Bill Clinton won there twice. So did George W. Bush. Recent polls give John McCain an edge for the state's 11 electoral votes.

Listeners responded to the story on a proposed $400,000 salary cap for those executives whose companies accept the Wall Street bailout. They also responded to the profile of Henry Paulson and the interview with children's music blogger Stefan Shepherd.

High-energy airborne lasers, multiple kill vehicles and advanced interceptors may be part of the future of the U.S. missile defense system. But debate over funding for the development of such technologies may be curtailed in the new administration.