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Google is doing for the backcountry what it has done for cities and towns — making digital maps that can be accessed on the go. Will it change the experience of the wilderness? NPR's Steve Henn travels to the Grand Canyon as Google engineers make their first trip with the Street View Trekker.

Early on in American history, before radio and television, charisma wasn't particularly useful, one scholar says, since most decisions were made behind closed doors. Not so today. But how much difference do personality characteristics and charisma make?

Round 9 of Three-Minute Fiction is in full swing. Readers from all over the country have made their selections, and now judge Brad Meltzer is close to making his decision. Meltzer is best-selling author of The Tenth Justice and The Inner Circle. He tells host Guy Raz about his favorite stories in Three-Minute Fiction so far. You can read the stories at www.npr.org/threeminutefiction.

Michael Feinstein chronicles his experience working as an archivist and cataloger for legendary songwriter Ira Gershwin. Critic Ed Ward reviews Roxy Music's boxed set, The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982. And Tyler Perry talks about his new action thriller, Alex Cross.

Civil rights groups and Democrats complain that the billboards — many located in black, Hispanic and student-dominated neighborhoods — are meant to intimidate voters. The source of the billboards is an anonymous "private family foundation."

President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney continue to campaign around the U.S., delivering their stump speeches to audiences filled with enthusiastic supporters. The remarks remind voters of the hearts of their platforms and reinforce ideas presented in ads and other speeches.

Thousands of children with physical and mental disabilities live in institutions, isolated from their families and decades younger than other patients. The institutions are often better equipped to handle their medical needs, but can fall short when it comes to other aspects of the kids' lives.

The Detroit Tigers have a chance to put the reeling New York Yankees on the brink of elimination. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants have slowed the St. Louis Cardinals, who'd been playing with the kind of magic touch that carried them to last year's World Series title.

Best known for being the man behind Madea, Perry is now starring in the action thriller Alex Cross.He tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that his Madea character is a cross between his mom, his aunt and Eddie Murphy.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency released more than 200 pages of documents in its case against the cyclist.