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For centuries, sugar has been the foundation of the Cuban economy, and a key part of the country's identity. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Fidel Castro's government is drastically downsizing the sugar industry because of economic pressures, and transforming some of the old sugar mills into attractions for a more profitable industry: tourism.

Storyteller Mitch Myers tells the story of guy who made it his mission to shout out "Freebird!" at concerts.

The Latin jazz drummer has released more than 20 albums, including the 1999 Grammy winner, Latin Soul. Features in the series are produced by David Schulman and NPR's Jeffrey Freymann-Weyr.

In 1963, when she was only 16, Lesley Gore recorded one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To. Gore has stayed in the business since the 60s, and she's currently appearing at the New York City club, Rainbow and Stars. Rhino records released a two record retrospective of her greatest hits in 1991.

Nick Lowe is a songwriter, musician, and producer whose influence on modern rock has far outstripped his chart performance. He talks with NPR's Joe Palca about his storied career and his new album, The Convincer, for All Things Considered Saturday.

There are names for people responsible for firing other people. They're called "hatchet men" or "corporate executioners." Many companies hire people like firing consultant Howard McCain. McCain spends his days helping companies carry out the firing of employees. He says there is an art to dismissing someone.

The Bush administration is expected to announce a plan for vaccinating certain Americans against smallpox. An advisory panel has recommended that at most, 500,000 health-care workers should be immunized. But many state and local public health officials don't think that's nearly enough to cope with a smallpox bioterrorism attack. NPR's Richard Knox reports for All Things Considered.

Gutting fish is a cold, wet and smelly job. But if you're willing to put in the hours, the pay can make up for the unpleasant conditions. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on a "slime line" in Juneau, Alaska, as part of Morning Edition's series on "dirty work."

Husband and wife song writing team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the duo responsible for such songs as Youve Lost that Loving Feeling, On Broadway, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, Here You Come Again, Dont Know Much, and more. The two met when they were both working in the famous songwriting landmark, the Brill Building Mann as a composer and Weil as a lyricist. The two have been writing ever since. In edition to their many pop hits, Mann and Weil have also written songs for films.

Journalist Thomas Ricks covers the military for The Washington Post. Last week the Senate held hearings about Iraq. Ricks will discuss possible scenarios for a U.S. attempt to topple Saddam Hussein, and the likelihood of such an action. Ricks has also reported on U.S. military activities in Somalia, Haiti, Korea, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Prior to joining The Post, Ricks wrote about the military for The Wall Street Journal. He's also the author of the novel A Soldier's Duty, about a U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan.