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The 65-team NCAA men's basketball tournament begins this week. Defending champion Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, and Kansas are the top seeds. In picking this year's at-large teams, the selection committee favored clubs from the power conferences.

What makes you happy? Maybe you think of a tropical vacation, making a lot of money, or special moments with family. It could be a favorite dessert, finishing a book, reaching the top of a mountain. What about religious rituals and spiritual practices? Do these actually make us happier? Today, we look at the research on happiness to see what science says about the psychological impact ancient religious practices can have on our happiness.

The Florida Gators are the men's NCAA basketball champions. They won their first national basketball title by beating UCLA 73-57. Steve Inskeep speaks with USA Today columnist Christine Brennan about the game in Indianapolis. Also, she previews the women's final in Boston between Duke and Maryland.

For the first time this century, two No. 1 seeds didn't make it to NCAA women's basketball's Sweet 16. And teams who geared up with transfers are challenging historically dominant programs.

NPR's Scott Simon asks ESPN's Michele Steele about who will be in and who will be out of the men's and women's college basketball tourney.

As the war in Iraq progressed, NPR's Anne Garrels was the only U.S. network reporter to continue broadcasting from the heart of Baghdad. Her reports, delivered on a smuggled satellite phone, took listeners through some terrible times. Now safely back home in Connecticut, Garrels recalls her time covering the war in an interview with NPR's Susan Stamberg. Hear an extended version of the interview.

School’s out for the summer! But there’s no rest for administrators.They have a lot to do to prepare for changes the state legislature passed, everything from classroom decor to school safety and standardized testing. We’ll speak with two local superintendents.Those administrators may find some time to take a break, like most of us do in the summer. We’ll check in on summer travel through ABI and speak with Don Green about plans for the renovations that they can get to work on now that voters approve the bond package to pay for them.We’ll get some tips for lawn and garden care for the summer heat, and we’ll also hear from the local barbecue spot that made a list of the top 50 in Texas.

The much-despised Bowl Championship Series is gone and in its place is the playoff fans have wanted for years. So that's the end of the controversy, right? Stefan Fatsis talks to Audie Cornish.

This week we’ve got a collection of conversations with the candidates on the ballot for House District 71.As soon as Stan Lambert announced he wouldn’t seek reelection – candidates started filing their paperwork.Liz Case is making a second run for the seat, after coming close two years ago–with the backing of some of the state’s top Republicans.Newcomer Joshua Ohlmacher joined the race after feeling called to it during a church service.And Chance Ferguson, who’s previously challenged Jodey Arrington for the 19th Congressional District seat–has thrown his hat in the ring.Jay Hardaway was unable to make it for today’s show–but we hope to update you on his campaign as soon as possible.We’ll also preview a musical that’s coming to a stage this weekend that tells a story of healing, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.