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Author Debra Ginsberg introduces us to Maria Lopez of National City, California. Lopez is profiled as part of our series on The Changing Face of America. She's a mother of three who is on the cusp of escaping from state assistance, the result of determination, changes in the law and a two-year college education. When national welfare reform took place in 1996, the push in state's like California was to get people into any job. But Maria wanted to rise above poverty, so despite the odds, she got her high school equivalency degree, and enrolled in courses at a nearby junior college. Everyday is a struggle to keep from sinking into deeper poverty. But she has a feverish determination, a rosy outlook, and an ability to work the system. (14:00). The Changing Face of America series has a companion area on our Web site.

The vast majority of America's recorded legacy is out of print. That's the finding of a study by the Library of Congress. The report shows that consumers can purchase less than 30 percent of U.S. sound recordings made before 1965. Joel Rose of member station WHYY reports.

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has a birthday today. The man who wrote Forever Young is now 60 years old. His influence on popular culture is strong. He also influenced many to pick up the guitar and sing. Dylan's music inspired a fellow Minnesotan named Bob Feldman to start a record label dedicated to recording great singer-songwriters. Red House Records has just released A Nod to Bob, a collection of artists interpreting their favorite Dylan songs. We hear from four of the artists. Guy Davis sings Sweetheart Like You, Eliza Gilkyson does Love Minus Zero, No Limit, Lucy Kaplansky sings It Ain't Me Babe, and Martin Simpson performs Boots of Spanish Leather. (12:30) For more information, visit Red House Records Web site, or call 1-800-695-4687.

After nearly 50 years as president of Cuba, Fidel Castro is resigning. He explained his decision in a letter to the Web site of the Communist Party's newspaper. The Cuban president hasn't been seen in public since he became ill and provisionally turned over his powers to his brother, Raul, in July 2006.

This week, The Weeknd's new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, debuts atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, and the biggest winners and performers from the Grammys experience big chart bumps.

School districts across the country are working to help students with disabilities make up for the supports they lost access to during the pandemic. In Pittsburgh, those efforts include rock climbing.

Nearly a million people are covered by a government evacuation order. The weather service is warning of more severe weather to the north.

Job-coaching and other support services that enable many adults to live in the community instead of institutions will likely be curtailed if the GOP plan to shrink Medicaid becomes law.

Bush's tax plan tries to lower tax rates for some of the rich and for corporations, but also sticks it to hedge-fund managers and gives some relief to low-income earners.

The controversies over gifted education start with identifying who qualifies for that title.