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In part two of the series Prison diaries, correctional officers at Polk Youth Institution tell their stories about working in the penal system. They present a mixed picture of their work, their relationship with the prisoners and of the satisfaction they get from the job. Some guards talk about the importance of appearance and attitude; to wear the uniform with pride and without fear. Some of the guards feel the prison is too luxurious; that there are too many amenities for the inmates: "they eat well, are clothed and overall get better treatment inside then outside." For others, it was a shock to see so many young, black faces behind bars. Being confined for eight hours takes its toll on some of the staff as well. Some say it is a dangerous job: "us versus them." Few of the guards last more than 3 years. Many leave sooner. The job is something they find hard to shake at the end of the day.

In an NPR interview, the former president and the iconic musician speak about spreading hope amid widespread division and about the "critical patriotism" of Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A."

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the withdrawal from consideration of George W. Bush's nominee for Labor Secretary. Linda Chavez's nomination ran into trouble after it was revealed that an illegal immigrant once lived in her home and did some chores. Chavez held a press conference this afternoon, announcing her decision to withdraw, but highlighting her intent to help people, and introducing several of the immigrants who she has helped establish themselves in the U.S.

NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that recent comments by Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck about protecting old growth forests were misinterpreted by some news organizations. The inaccurate reports have stirred up some people in the industry and government.

NPR's Brenda Wilson reports on 11-year-old Nkosi Johnson, South Africa's youngest AIDS activist. At last summer's International AIDS conference, Nkosi made a moving speech, a plea really, for acceptance of people with AIDS. Now, he's in a coma, dying of the disease. But his courage and activism have left a mark on the country.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports on today's Supreme Court decision limiting the scope of the federal Clean Water Act. The court split along its familiar ideological lines, 5-4, in ruling that the Army Corps of Engineers can't use the law to forbid the building of a landfill in a migratory bird habitat. The area, near Chicago, contains abandoned gravel pits that flood with water and attract birds for nesting and breeding. The court majority ruled that Congress intended the Clean Water Act to apply to large or navigable bodies of water.

NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on new recommendations out today regarding vitamin A, iron and other nutrients. The guidelines come from the Institute of Medicine, which is for the first time putting upper limits on how much vitamin A people should consume. Excessive amounts of vitamin A, either through diet or through supplements, may cause liver disease and birth defects. The institute issued new advice about consuming vegetables containing vitamin A and other nutrients.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports from Jerusalem that a gamble by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to get a peace treaty to use as an electoral platform seems to have failed. Though U.S. envoy Dennis Ross is on his way back to the Middle East for one last ditch effort to find a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, there is little hope that he will succeed. If he doesn't, Barak's bid for re-election next month appears doomed.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that the second most senior figure in Hong Kong's government has resigned. Anson Chan was appointed by the outgoing British administration, before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. She was known as a ardent supporter of democracy and civil liberties. However, she denies she left her post because of any disagreement with the Beijing-appointed chief executive of Hong Kong.

NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports that AOL and Time-Warner completed their merger today shortly after the FCC gave its conditional approval. The deal combines the nation's largest internet service provider with the second largest cable operator. It is valued at more than one-hundred-billion dollars. In a prepared statement, the newly merged company said its "scale, scope and reach" would enable it to capitalize on the digital revolution. Analysts say declining ad revenues may hurt the new company in the short run, but were mostly upbeat about its long-run chances.