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NPR's John Burnett reports that while most prisons across the country are trying to make life more difficult for prisoners (cutting back funding for basketball courts, initiating chain gangs, etc.), in Texas, which has the nation's largest prison population, prisoners are being given more access to one perk: the telephone. But Burnett says from the prison perspective, there's a business incentive for the move.

Catalina Reyes of member station KUNM reports that the state of New Mexico is trying to shut down Native American casinos across the state. The tribes have been operating casinos under an agreement with the federal government, but state courts have nullified that agreement, insisting that since gambling is not legal elsewhere in the state, it can't be allowed on the reservation. The tribes say they'll blockade highways through the reservation if they're shut down. Both sides have agreed to keep casinos and roads open until a U.S. court decides the matter.

200 miles away in Washington is having a negative effect on the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping some 97 points yesterday. Technology issues also have played a role in the downturn.

about the expanding political crisis in Colombia. This week Colombia's legislature begins an extraordinary session to deal with allegations that President Ernesto Samper accepted millions of dollars from the Cali drug cartel for his 1994 presidential campaign.

presidential caucuses next Tuesday, before New Hampshire or Iowa. Republican candidates have been divided in their campaign strategies.

NPR's David Molpus reports that an estimated eight million working Americans are now -- or soon will -- be providing substantial care for an elderly relative. For most people, providing care while continuing to work is stressful. Now, some employers are taking steps to ease the burden of providing care for elderly relatives.

Commentator Paul Durrenberger says that the Superbowl is one of our main national observances. It is purified ritual and as gripping as any celebration that was invented earlier. He figures we must be a nation starved for drama -- so much so that we have to create our own. We lack the public spectacles of the Romans, Greeks and Mayas and so we demand it from our professional sports.

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NPR's Chitra Ragavan talks to federal workers who went back to work today. Federal workers had been kept off the job first by the federal budget impasse, and then by the blizzard. With more snow on the way, and budget talks uncertain, the future remains up in the air.

Satire from Harry Shearer.