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State officials across the country heard talk of welfare reform two years ago, and realized how poorly equipped their states were to accept new welfare responsibilities. NPR's John Nielsen reports that governors and legislators instituted new programs to trim costs and now say they are ready to handle the burdens of reform. But some analysts warn that because a strong national economy is fueling much of the improvement, a recession could ruin the states' progress.

NPR's Cheryl Devall reports on an historic shift in the Florida legislature. Both houses are now Republican-controlled. They may find themselves at odds with Democratic Governor Lawton Chiles ... a situation similar to that of the President and the Congress.

in the new Congress have for investigating allegations of impropriety, which have been raised against President Clinton. Most of the allegations go back to Mr. Clinton's years as Governor of Arkansas, but the Republican leaders say they also intend to investigate contributions made to the Clinton reelection campaign.

victory over Governor William Weld.

Robert and Linda look at how the gubernatorial races turned out -- when it was all over, the ratio of Republican to Democratic governors remained unchanged, 32-17. On the other hand, Democrats have control of both chambers of the state legislatures in 19 states -- a gain of 2 -- compared to the 15 controlled by Republicans. Legislatures are split between the two parties in 13 states.

Noah travelled to Logan County, in southern West Virginia, to talk to people there about the race for governor in that state, and about what politics means to people there. Logan County has a rich political history -- for many decades, the politics of the county were engineered by families who often worked in conjunction with the coal operators to bring money to the region. These political machines got people to the precincts to vote, often with promises of money, or liquor, but always promising better quality of life -- if they voted for the right candidate. People in Logan today are talking about the current governor's race, between Democratic candidate Charlotte Pritt, and Republican candidate Cecil Underwood.

next Tuesday, would give that state's governor the power to veto legislation passed by the General Assembly. North Carolina is the only state in which the governor has no veto power.

The seat for Governor, two seats in the House and even the one in the White House are all still being hotly contested.

Robert talks to two young baseball fans, one in Atlanta and one in New York City, about the World Series, which is currently being led, three games to two, by the New York Yankees. Dominic Daugherty is a student at Evansdale Elementary School in Atlanta. He's still optimistic and advises Braves coach Bobby Cox to make a locker room speech to rouse the sagging team. Roberto Soto, a twelve-year-old Yankees fan from the Bronx, talks about his excitement at seeing the Yankees with the lead in the Series, and what he thinks the team needs to do to wrap up the championship.

The Senate race in Massachusetts promised everything voters want in an election: two smart, popular candidates...the incumbent Senator, John Kerry, and the current governor of Massachusetts, William Weld; seven issue-oriented debates; and a voluntary limit on campaign spending. But the race has been tight for months and as election day draws near, the mud is flying and the voluntary spending caps both candidates had imposed are off. From member station WBUR, Patrick Cox reports.