July 10, 2000 | Vol. 156 No. 2

Missile Impossible?

This week's $100 million test of the space shield is all but fixed. Does the outcome matter?

May The Shield Be With You

The Reagan-era Star Wars program lives on and may yet destabilize the new world order

Campaign 2000: The Rebel's Revenge (Campaign 2000)

With a victory for campaign-finance reform, McCain is still a force to reckon with in November

Electing the Supreme Court

Think this is about choosing a President? Think again

Unraveling Alzheimer's (Medicine)

Scientists are close to figuring out how the disorder destroys brains. But will their knowledge save lives?

Suffer the Children (Medicine / AIDS Update)

Life Along The Mississippi (The Pulse Of America / Life Along the River)

Let us take you on a trip down America's great river, where we explore the troubles and triumphs of people trying to catch up with the new economy and all that goes with it, from charter schools to do

History: Fort Madison, Iowa: The Battle of Downtown (The Pulse Of America / History)

If your town hasn't been done in by sprawl, two in Iowa show how to keep a sense of place

History: Faribault, Minn.: The Science Of Dissent (The Pulse Of America / History)

A teacher is stirring up trouble about Darwin--in a very Minnesota way

History: Nauvoo, Ill.: The Invasion Of the Latter-day Saints (The Pulse Of America / History)

The Mormons are rebuilding a holy temple to redeem their past. But will the town it's in be erased?

New Orleans: The Big Easy On the Brink (The Pulse Of America / The River)

If it doesn't act fast, the city could become the next Atlantis

Memphis, Tenn.: It Took Three Dead Babies (The Pulse Of America / Reform)

Tennessee learned the hard way that you can't take people off welfare without having good day care

Angola, La.: The Lessons of Cain (The Pulse Of America / Reform)

Warden Burl Cain has his own system for managing inmates who will never go home

Coldwater, Miss.: These Hills Are Alive (The Pulse Of America / The Arts)

A hot little band brings the hill-country blues to a new audience of Gen Y kids--proving once more that the blues springs eternal

Memphis, Tenn.: A Twist on Tradition (The Pulse Of America / The Arts)

With a nod to Faulkner, an author creates his own mythic town

A Bend In the River (The Pulse Of America)

Winfield, Mo.: Who Owns The River? (The Pulse Of America / The River)

The corps wants to speed up traffic. One man says, Not so fast

Education: Vicksburg, Miss.: Ending White Flight (The Pulse Of America / Education)

How did this district get its parents back? It gave them more power. But it also engaged black families and wooed the white ones back

Education: One Classy Failure (The Pulse Of America / Education)

The Governor and the town's big employer had a plan to fix the schools. But the schools made sure to stop it

History: Cairo, Ill.: Waiting For A Rebirth (The Pulse Of America / History)

Rolling Down the River (The Pulse Of America)

History: Creve Coeur, Mo.: Meeting Your (Film)Maker (The Pulse Of America / History)

The Cassity boys want their cemeteries to tell your life story

Meet The New Huck (The Pulse Of America / The River)

His passion for the river means cleaning it up, one object at a time

Jena, La.: Where The Market Fails (The Pulse Of America / Reform)

A River Runs Through It... (The Pulse Of America)

Education: Wellston, Mo.: Is A Fortress The Solution? (The Pulse Of America / Education)

Natchez, Miss.: The Chief and His Ward (The Pulse Of America / Reform)

Too often, when the mentally ill have no place to go, they go to jail

Notebook: Jul. 10, 2000 (Notebook)

Conventional Politics (Notebook)

In Philadelphia, Parental Discretion Is Advised

Where The Mugs Are (Notebook)

Milestones Jul. 10, 2000 (Notebook / Milestones)

Ask Dr. Notebook (Notebook)

Eulogy: WALTER MATTHAU (Notebook)

The New High Style (Notebook)

Campaign Pledge Drive: Week Five (Notebook)

News Quiz Jul. 10, 2000 (Notebook)

Unconventional Politics (Notebook)

And Now...Reform Party Headache No. 383

Praise the Lord and Pass the Football (Essay)

What the Supreme Court doesn't know about playing to win in Texas

Can One Little Boy Make A Difference? (Letter from Cuba)

With Elian's return, Havana may be learning to see a kinder, gentler Yanqui

News Quiz Crossword Jul. 10, 2000 (News Quiz Crossword)

The Buzz of Summer (Comment)

What ever happened to the nice, quiet vacation?