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Melissa Block talks to Randee Berson, a Red Cross volunteer in Gurnee, Illinois.

The state of New York sues former New York Stock Exchange chair Richard Grasso and a former board member over the legality of Grasso's $187.5 million pay package. State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who filed the suit, called the arrangement "inappropriate and illegal." Grasso stepped down last September after his compensation caused an outcry. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

The French song -- or la chanson française -- is making a comeback. Inspired by legendary performers such as Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, a new generation of singer-songwriters is finding commercial success without mimicking American or British music. NPR's Nick Spicer reports.

President Bush appeals to U.S. allies to help Iraq's transitional government establish a democracy. Bush, whose requests for NATO involvement in Iraq have been rebuffed by French and German leaders, said at the close of the Group of Eight summit that U.S. allies could send troops to help train Iraqi security forces. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Don Gonyea.

Legendary musician Ray Charles died Thursday at age 73. In honor of his great life and legacy, The Tavis Smiley Show is presenting a two-part tribute to Ray Charles. In 2002, Charles did his last NPR interview with NPR's Tavis Smiley. This is the first part of that conversation -- the second will follow on Monday.

Kamal al-Jarah, a senior member of the Iraqi education ministry, is killed outside his home in Baghdad -- the second such attack in as many days. This weekend's violence echoes warnings from the U.S.-led coalition that insurgents plan more attacks in the weeks leading to the handover of Iraqi sovereignty on June 30. Hear NPR's Emily Harris.

Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shiite Iraqi cleric whose militia has clashed with American forces for the past several months, announces plans to create a political party. Members of Iraq's new interim government are encouraging Sadr's proposed move into the official political process. Hear NPR's Deborah Amos.

New York City Police Officer Daniel Rodriguez is known to millions of people as the police officer that sang "God Bless America" at a World Trade Center memorial service after the 2001 terrorist attacks. He discusses his decision to leave the police force to return to his first love, music. Hear Rodriguez and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

A top official at Iraq's foreign ministry is killed in Baghdad during an ambush by unknown gunmen. Bassam Kubba, who had been a career diplomat, is the first member of Iraq's new interim government to lose his life amid continuing violence and security problems. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and NPR's Emily Harris.

Michael Bise collected the paper playlists for the music his Gap store played in the '90s. Now he's on a mission to hunt down a generation's worth of playlists.