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The composer's tendency to push buttons won him harsh reviews — and a lasting legacy. Conductor John Mauceri discusses how Giuseppe Verdi was regarded during his lifetime and where he stands now, 200 years after his birth.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is still in the lead in the race to fill the seat of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg. But Tea Party favorite Steve Lonegan is mounting an unexpectedly strong challenge to the Democrat.

Native American tribes are giving casinos a makeover, hoping added amenities like spas, golf courses and luxury hotels will attract visitors. Still, these ventures make 80 to 90 percent of their revenue from gambling, and experts say getting people on the gaming floor is key.

While the rhetoric between Republicans and Democrats over ending the federal shutdown remains hot, some Republicans have talked about possible alternatives to demands that the Affordable Care Act be delayed a full year. But some Tea Party-backed Republicans are holding firm on that demand, including Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador. Renee Montagne talks to Labrador about the government shutdown debate, and how he thinks the impasse should be resolved.

While the partial government shutdown continues, some federal workers are showing up for work because they are required to. Phil Glover is with the Council of Prison Locals, a federal prison employee union. Glover talks to Morning Edition's David Greene about how the government shutdown is effecting the Bureau of Prisons, correctional workers and his family.

President Obama made his case for reopening the government and raising the debt ceiling at a White House news conference Tuesday afternoon. It was his first news conference in several weeks. House Speaker John Boehner spoke at the Capitol for about five minutes.

The Treasury Department says it will begin running out of money to pay its bills by Oct. 17, if the partial government shutdown isn't over by then. That prospect worries the financial markets. Treasury debt plays a fundamental role in the global economy, and economists agree that a debt default would have dire consequences. But some Republicans insist that a default doesn't have to happen.

House Speaker John Boehner is proposing a six-week debt ceiling increase to his Republican caucus. If adopted, it would take away the immediate threat to financial markets.

On Three Chords and the Truth, James King picks from the canon of country music to rearrange its songs as bluegrass. Alan Jackson has recorded his first collection of bluegrass music.

There were talks at the White House on Thursday between President Obama and Republican leaders. House Speaker Boehner proposed a six-week extension on raising the debt ceiling. He did not mention anything about completely reopening the federal government.