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Howlin' Wolf electrified the blues of the Mississippi Delta and laid a foundation for rock 'n' roll in the early 1950s. His lyrics, delivered in a gruff, haunting voice, evoked his hard-life experiences.

In the wake of the prisoner abuse scandal at the now-notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, U.S. military authorities make some significant changes. The number of detainees at the sprawling complex has been sharply decreased, and living conditions appear to be improving. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Radio producer and commentator Paul Ingles offers an appreciation of rhythm & blues legend Ray Charles, who died this past Thursday. For Ingles, there's one song that towers above all others.

At least 12 people, including five foreign contractors, are killed in a car bombing in Baghdad. Over the past three days, a series of attacks have killed numerous Iraqis, including a senior civil servant and a top official in the foreign ministry. The attacks illustrate the security concerns Iraq's new government faces as it prepares to assume sovereignty June 30. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt.

Trains with steam engines have vanished in most parts of the country, replaced by diesel. But in parts of West Virginia, sounds of steam locomotive whistles can still be heard. In this edition of Lost and Found Sound, NPR’s Noah Adams said those sounds echo across the landscape like the sound of a century passing.

Attorney General John Ashcroft refuses senators' demands for copies of legal memos, prepared by Bush administration lawyers in 2002 and 2003, that reportedly state the president has the right to order torture in his role as commander in chief. Ashcroft said his advice to the president must remain confidential.

Two memos prepared by Bush administration lawyers and high-ranking officials suggest the president cannot be held to federal and international rules prohibiting torture. Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft refused to turn over the documents or say whether President Bush has authorized force or other techniques in interrogation. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

The Environmental Protection Agency's annual inventory of toxic air emissions acknowledges that the numbers have gone up. But a study by an environmental group says the increases are even steeper than the EPA estimates. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports.

The Security Council unanimously passes a U.S.-British resolution detailing sovereignty and security issues for Iraq's interim government, which will take power June 30. At the G8 Conference in Sea Island, Ga., President Bush welcomed the news. Iraq-related questions have dominated the summit of industrialized nations. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and NPR's Jim Zarroli.

A federal judge rules that a sex-discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart can become a class-action suit, encompassing 1.6 million current and former female employees. Wal-Mart said it would appeal the decision. The class-action status makes the suit the largest discrimination case ever brought against a private employer in the United States. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.