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Tom Rogers of member station WILL reports that in Decatur, Illinois, news that some defective Firestone tires may have been produced at a local plant is another blow to a town swamped by negative news in recent months.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports from Sydney on Australia, the Olympic medal powerhouse. Per capita, Australia wins more Olympic medals than any other country and one reason is its Institute of Sport, created after the country's dismal Olympic performance in 1976. The Institute's laboratories have the latest technology. Sports physiologists closely monitor athletes' immune systems, and the Institute administers aptitude tests to almost all high school students in the country. Critics say the system resembles the old East German program. Supporters say it's the only way Australia can compete against countries like China and the U.S.

NASA scientists report today that they have discovered a new kind of black hole. These are much larger than black holes caused by collapsing stars, but much smaller than the ones in the centers of galaxies. Black holes are so dense, not even light can escape their gravity. The new discovery could help explain how these bizarre objects come into being. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

Meredith Ochs reviews The Best of Broadside a collection of five compact discs filled with 89 songs from folk music legends like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian and Phil Ochs. The CD's are contained in a spiral-bound book based on the bi-weekly folk music journal of the 1960's, Broadside magazine. (8:00) The Best of Broadside five CD set is from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, catalog number SFW CD 40130.

Susan Chisholm reports on the ongoing strike at Maine's biggest shipyard, Bath Iron Works. The striking workers have little incentive to settle their dispute and are finding other work in the robust economy, a sharp contrast to past strikes in the region.

Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports on the efforts of domestic violence counselors to create an Internet site that would facilitate battered women in the United States.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on Senate hearings about the Firestone recall, in which Firestone admitted it doesn't use failure data for safety purposes, Ford said Firestone assured the automaker there were no defects, and Transportation Department officials asked for more regulatory authority.

Commentator Judy Muller's just gotten back from vacation, and says she's missed very little news wise.

Linda talks with Max Nonnamaker, who has testified as an expert witness for and against Bridgestone/Firestone. Nonnamaker, who runs his own consulting company, and is investigating the current problem with Firestone tires addresses what could have gone wrong in the design and construction of the recalled tires. He also describes the problem of tread separation and how companies test tires to make them safe for consumers.

The House failed today to override President Clinton's veto of a bill which would repeal inheritance taxes. The vote was 14 short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. But the Republicans are hoping to use the vote as a wedge issue to run on in the fall. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.