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Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and others say they won't attend next week's debate at Loyola Marymount University unless a subcontractor negotiates with striking culinary workers.

A public-policy expert makes the point that the reaction to the GSA scandal could lead to a pernicious development, the government equivalent of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. In an attempt to prevent such future excesses, cuts could be made to federal agency budgets that actually decrease not improve government's ability to wisely manage its spending.

The city's leaders agreed to a compromise with state officials this week, that may save Detroit from bankruptcy. But Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley tells host Michel Martin that a lot more work needs to be done to save the struggling city. They're also joined by NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax.

Democratic Sen. ClaireMcCaskilldefeated GOP challenger Todd Akin Tuesday to hold on to a Missouri Senate seat that Republicans once considered vulnerable. McCaskill won with about 54-percent of the vote in the election. She told supporters in St. Louis' Central West End Tuesday night that the victory means more to her because many pundits had predicted she would lose her seat. "They all said 'it's over, it's done, it's too red, it's just too red, there is no way that Claire McCaskill can survive.' Well, you know what happened? You proved 'em wrong," McCaskill said. McCaskill told supporters that her landslide win does not mean she will only represent the interests of Democrats,"McCaskilltold supporters at the Chase Park Plaza. Akin damaged his chances shortly after winning the August primary, when he said in a TV interview that women's bodies have ways of avoiding pregnancy in what he called "legitimate rape." Akin apologized. But he refused calls from top Republicans to quit, and his campaign never fully recovered financially. Akin was forced to concede early early in the evening at his watch party in Chesterfield. “Well things don’t always turn out the way you think they’re going to,” said Akin. “I just called Claire McCaskill and gave her congratulations, because the way the numbers are looking, we have lost this race.” Throughout the campaign Akin never backed down from his convictions, even after it became apparent that he was likely headed toward defeat. In conceding, Akin repeated themes warning against big government and Christian conservatism. “We believe that life, liberty and pursuit of happiness come from almighty god, not an almighty government,” said Akin. “We also believe that our creator made us one people, there is one class in this country—Americans.” Neither Akin, nor his staff addressed the media after his concession speech. Some of Akin's supporters felt that their candidate was hamstrung by his own party after GOP funders dropped support for Akin in the wake of his controversial remarks. "The Democrats would never throw their own under the bus and that’s what I feel happened in August," said Kimberly Benz of North St. Louis County. See the St. Louis Beacon's Jo Mannies' story on this race See more stories on issues and elections from St. Louis Public Radio, the St. Louis Beacon and Nine Network of Public Media at BeyondNovember.org. Follow Adam Allington on Twitter: @aallington Follow Bill Raack on Twitter: @billraack

From higher payroll taxes to automatic cuts in military spending, the looming budget crisis could drag the economy back into recession and create turmoil in the financial markets, economists say. To better understand what's at stake, have a look at some of the key phrases involved in the crisis.

Host Scott Simon catches up on the week in sports with Howard Bryant of ESPN: A surprise contender out of Chicago is taking on a well-funded operation with a mighty offensive attack and an NBA firing that surprised exactly no one.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Bridesmaids director Paul Feig about his must-see movie picks. The comedy selections on Feig's list are surprisingly sparse — in fact, his choices run the gamut from the serious to the downright bizarre.

But it said its failures did not directly contribute to the blast, which killed 29 coal miners in 2010.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is looking for momentum as Republicans caucus and vote in three states on Tuesday: Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. And dissatisfaction with front-runner Mitt Romney in Missouri could point to a potential opportunity for President Obama in the fall.

A study of online conversation finds some big differences in geographically distinct parts of Florida around the issue of unemployment. This kind of information could be important to President Obama and Mitt Romney in how they shape their messages while visiting the state, and in advertisements.