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House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) reflects on his rise to the top in his new book, Speaker: Lessons from 40 Years in Coaching and Politics. He speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

This is going to be a big weekend for college sports. There's basketball -- of course -- but for commentator Bob Cook, the real action is going to be at Bethany College in Kansas. It's the President's Cup, where the top four collegiate chess programs in the nation will compete. But, he says, the tournament's favorites are as disliked in the chess world as any outlaw basketball program.

The Dixie Chicks are one of the top selling country artists of all time. Will Hermes, a senior contributing writer for Spin magazine, says their first CD in three years,Home, has a less commercial sound than their other offerings, but still may be one of the best pop CDs of the year.

Tom Manoff has a review of the CD Reflections of Spain, featuring Spanish music for guitar, played by David Russell. Manoff thinks Russell — who is Scottish, not Spanish — plays with a natural elegance, and is passionate but never over the top.

Missouri's top race is an open contest for U.S. Senate following the retirement of Republican Roy Blunt.

Two top aides have left Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, which has been struggling in the polls and with fundraising. The move could affect how the Republican field is shaping up.

Before Monday's Virginia Tech deaths, the deadliest campus shooting in the United States was at the University of Texas on Aug. 1, 1966. Firing from the top of a tower on campus, Charles Whitman killed 16 people and injured 31. An eyewitness looks back.

Should she secure the Democratic nomination, Vice President Kamala Harris would join a short list of female candidates from major parties to top a presidential ticket.

We review the top news that happened in New Hampshire this week.

Researchers found 6 percent of middle-schoolers in Portland, Ore., have tried a game that involves asphyxiation to get high. About a quarter of them have tried it at least five times.