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New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. first made his mark as a musical prodigy, recording his first songs at age 9. He has returned to New Orleans to lend a helping hand with hurricane relief. (This interview was first broadcast on June 21, 1988.)

The limited U.S. strikes on Iraqi targets in and around Baghdad draw mixed reaction from many parts of the Muslim world. Iran calls the attack "unjustifiable and illegitimate," and Malaysia says the strike represents "a black mark in history." But Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak criticizes Iraq's role in the conflict. Hear NPR's Michael Sullivan.

Massachusetts lawmakers discuss for a second day the wording of a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but legalize civil unions. The floor debate has been marked by passionate and emotional speeches. Outside the chamber where the special legislative session is being held, supporters of both sides of the debate have gathered to chant and protest. Hear NPR's Tovia Smith.

President Bush visits an estuary in Wells, Maine, to mark Earth Day, an event observed since 1970 to highlight environmental-conservation efforts. The president said his administration is tough on polluters but friendly to industry as well. Democratic challenger John Kerry took a far dimmer view of Bush's environmental record. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Saturday marks two years since final congressional approval of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. Conventional wisdom predicted the law would reduce big money's influence in Washington and cripple fundraising by Democrats. In fact, both major parties are raising more funds under the new law than before. Hear NPR's Peter Overby.

The Russian-backed president of Chechnya and at least five others were killed Sunday in an explosion in the Chechen capital, Grozny. Among the dozens of wounded was Russia's senior military commander in the region. The bomb went off in a stadium where President Ahmed Kadyrov was attending celebrations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and Kim Murphy of The Los Angeles Times.

This weekend marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led air strikes in Afghanistan. That war ousted the Taliban's brutal regime. It brought relief to many -- and tragedy to a few. Afghans who lived through it recall the bombing campaign.

Saturday's Jefferson-Jackson dinner marks the beginning of the home stretch leading up to the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3. With actual voting less than 60 days away, six of the major Democratic candidates were on hand, hoping to rally their supporters for the last eight weeks of the campaign.

In Memphis and across the nation, thousands are gathering — and some are protesting — to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tens of thousands of Kenyans gather in Nairobi for the inauguration of the country's new president, Mwai Kibaki. The leader of the opposition National Rainbow Coalition won an overwhelming victory in last week's election, taking 63 percent of the vote. The event marks the end of 24 years of rule by President Daniel arap Moi. Hear NPR's Jason Beaubien.