Teachers, parents, and administrators have been debating whether schools should start implementing the PARCC standardized test, designed to align with the new Common Core standards. We talk with two educators about whether it's time to put the PARCC in place and the value of standardized testing.

Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a dreamy memorial, Soldier Field no man's land, and railroad ruins on Chicago's South Side.

• Mayoral Candidates on Public Safety

Chicago mayoral candidates sound off on public safety. Should Police Supt. Garry McCarthy stay for another term? Find out what they have to say.

Toni Preckwinkle is heading into her second term as president of the Cook County Board. She hopes to reform juvenile criminal justice and reduce the daily jail population, and has goals for the regional economy and public health. She joins us.

As aldermanic races heat up across the city, the 11th Ward stands out as another Daley makes a go at public office in City Council. We sit down with candidates John Kozlar, Maureen Sullivan and Patrick Daley Thompson to discuss ward issues and City Council politics.

The state of Illinois' finances are in dire straits with a $9 billion deficit that continues to grow. Richard Dye, co-director of University of Illinois' Fiscal Futures Project, discusses how we got into this hole and how we can find our way out.

Our science guy, Neil Shubin, talks about the latest science stories, including a study on the health of the world's oceans, why sparks really do fly at the moment of conception, and a new study finding that generosity can be "written" in the brain.

• New Bears Coach Addresses Media

New Bears Coach John Fox faces the media at Halas Hall. We have a full recap, including what he said about Jay Cutler, and reaching out to former Bears great Brian Urlacher.

The spring legislative session is in full swing now that the 99th General Assembly has been sworn in along with Gov. Bruce Rauner. We hear from both sides of the aisle about what the legislative priorities are in both chambers.

As we reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., we take a look at his lasting impact and what the Civil Rights struggle can tell us about the social movements of today.

As baby boomers age, the rate of Alzheimer's disease climbs steadily. A program at Northwestern University pairs Alzheimer's patients in the early stages of the disease with first-year medical students to add a human dimension to their scientific and clinical studies.

Confucius Institutes are academic and cultural programs financially backed by the Chinese government. These institutions affiliate themselves with colleges throughout the world, but have drawn backlash due to concerns of propaganda pushing.

The mayoral race is in full swing. We sit down with candidate William "Dock" Walls, a former aide to the late mayor Harold Washington, regarding his campaign and how his strategy differs from previous runs for office.