Illinois could become the third state — after Washington and New Mexico — where undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses. The legislation is halfway there. A bill that passed the state Senate 41-14 last Tuesday has bipartisan support.

Before the Senate vote, leaders from both parties, including Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican former Gov. Jim Edgar, spoke out in favor of the legislation. Supporters say that the roads will be safer if undocumented immigrants can pass the tests and get driver's licenses.

Egypt's main opposition group has called for mass protests against President Mohammed Morsi's decision to go ahead with a referendum on the country's draft constitution.

"We do not recognize the draft constitution because it does not represent the Egyptian people," said Sameh Ashour, who spoke on behalf of the National Salvation Front, the main umbrella group for opposition parties.

Daniel & Ben are joined by Daniel's floppy-eared, salt-and-pepper companion, Kafka, for an interview with activist and author, Rita Mae Brown.  Brown is a poet, novelist, and co-author of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series of books with her feline companion, Sneaky Pie Brown.  Rita Mae Brown talks about the latest entry into that series, "Sneaky Pie Runs for President."  The conversation is as much about books as it is about animals.  In this online extended interview, Brown also talks about why the latest Sneaky Pie book isn’t so much a response to the recent election as it is a condemnation of humans destroying the environment.  Aired Dec. 9, 2012.

Daniel & Ben are joined by Daniel's floppy-eared, salt-and-pepper companion, Kafka, for an interview with activist and author, Rita Mae Brown.  Brown is a poet, novelist, and co-author of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series of books with her feline companion, Sneaky Pie Brown.  Rita Mae Brown talks about the latest entry into that series, "Sneaky Pie Runs for President."  The conversation is as much about books as it is about animals.

The Poem of the Week is "Pointing to the Place of the Pain," from Karen Fiser's collection "Words Like Fate & Pain."  Read by Benjamin Alire Saenz.

In today's Poetic License, Daniel Chacon reflects on why his life is reflected in the dogs with whom he has shared his life, and about his current companion, Kafka.

Aired Dec. 9, 2012.

U.S. forces rescued Sunday an American doctor who was kidnapped in Afghanistan last week.

Dr. Dilip Joseph of Colorado Springs, Colo., was kidnapped Dec. 5 along with two other aid workers who were returning from a visit to a rural medical clinic outside Kabul. All three worked for Morning Star Development, a Colorado-based nonprofit.

NPR's Sean Carberry reported on the rescue for our Newscast Unit. Here's what he said: