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The Commerce Department released figures today showing a sharp drop in industrial production during January. Jim Zarroli reports the government data is just one more sign that the economy has slowed considerably over the past year. But some economists say the picture may not be as bad as today's numbers suggest.

Dr. John Caronna, a professor of clinical neurology, tells Noah that the story of Gary Dockery's waking up from a 7-year coma is not entirely accurate. Medically, Dockery has maintained consciousness, but severe brain damage from a gunshot wound limited his response to stimuli. Caronna says something energized him, increasing his ability to communicate. But it's unclear if he will continue to improve or not.

Commentator Elissa Ely tells about the gentleman bandits who break parking meters on busy streets to give everyone free parking. She revels in the sense of liesure and freedom that this illegal act has afforded her, but comes to realize that these bandits can also strike when one is least prepared.

Robert and Noah review the latest batch of listeners' comments.

Noah talks with NPR's Martha Raddatz who was today briefed by United States intelligence officials about the continuing concern over bringing indicted war criminals to justice.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from London on attempts to refloat an oil tanker that ran aground off the coast of Wales. The tanker Sea Empress has spilled as estimated 19 million gallons of oil. The oil is in a 12-mile long slick that is drifting out to sea.

Noah speaks with NPR's political correspondent Elizabeth Arnold, who has been been traveling with the Dole campaign. After his disappointing second place finish in New Hampshire Tuesday, Arnold says Dole will have to get tough to stop conservative rival Pat Buchanan from embarrassing him in upcoming primaries.

that owned the plane that went down near the Dominican Republic yesterday morning.

Political newcomer Steve Forbes has surprised practically everyone by stealing some of Bob Dole's limelight, and by making his call for a "flat tax" a central issue in the campaign. In this profile, NPR's Melissa Block looks at Forbes's background: how he came to inherit the fortune of his father, publisher Malcolm Forbes, and how he's run "Forbes" magazine since his father died. His editorials in the magazine have shown his fixation of some of the same issues he's stressed during the campaign (the flat tax and opposition to government regulation). As a businessman, he's changed few things put in place by his father, but "Forbes" continues to be quite successful.

Daniel talks with Lois Ann Yamanaka, the author of the book "Wild Meat and Bully Burgers." Her book is loosely based on her own life as a Japanese-American growing up in Hawaii. She described how difficult it was being poor and of Japanese decent in a society where being white is considered being "the best." She also talks of the things she tried to do to be accepted and how ashamed she was in her early years of her family and family heritage.