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The first official commercials for President Bush's re-election campaign appear Thursday on cable television in more than a dozen states. The ads, in English and Spanish, emphasize Bush's leadership, the war on terrorism and the economy, but they don't mention his all-but-official Democratic opponent, Sen. John Kerry. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

The mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota recently visited Laotian Hmong refugees who are living illegally on the grounds of a famous Buddhist temple in Thailand. His visit precedes the opening of a U.S. refugee resettlement program for the Hmong who are unable to return to Laos and unwelcome in Thailand. Doualy Xaykaothao reports.

playlist etc.We're spending a couple of days with an outstanding Canadian orchestra, Les Violons du Roy, which translates as The King's Violins. They stopped by NPR's Studio 4A to play the Symphony No. 5, by Franz Schubert. And Fred talks with conductor and founder Bernard Labadie.

The archived records of Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun are released to the public, five years after his death, as he had instructed. Among the half-million items are Blackmun's personal notes and those of other justices, discussing everything from a case's merits to court gossip. The documents shed light on dramatic legal battles, including Chief Justice William Rehnquist's repeated efforts to weaken Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling written by Blackmun. Hear NPR's Nina Totenberg, who was the only broadcast journalist given advance access to the files.

Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe says his forces will lay down their weapons, reversing after just one day his declaration that he is the country's military chief. With former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in exile, there is no functioning government in Haiti. Forces from the United States and other countries continue to arrive, now numbering over 1,000. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports.

Sen. John Edwards withdraws from the Democratic presidential race after failing to win any of the 10 state contests on Super Tuesday. The North Carolina senator is now being mentioned as a potential running mate for likely Democratic nominee John Kerry. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Adam Hochberg.

Providing gender-affirming care to transgender kids in Alabama is a felony as of May 8. Families with transgender children are figuring out how to support their kids and stay in Alabama if possible.

The remaining Democratic presidential hopefuls debate in Los Angeles, ahead of contests in California and nine other states March 2. Sen. John Edwards seeks to distinguish himself from frontrunner Sen. John Kerry, pointing out their differences on free trade and capital punishment, and arguing he is more likely to win over conservative voters. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Talib Kweli discusses the return of Black Star after 24 years, including a return to some of the duo's foundational themes — black excellence, unity, Pan-Africanism and the raising of consciousness.

Iraq's governing council is likely to miss a Feb. 28 deadline to draft an interim law that establishes the structure of government until a constitution is drafted. Disputes abound over women's rights and the role of Islam in government, and many Iraqi leaders say the deadline is unrealistic. Hear NPR's Deborah Amos.