Just what is the National Endowment for the Humanities, and what do they do? Here to enlighten us will be former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach, President Obama's choice to head the Endowment.

A group of approximately 100 African-American ministers endorsed Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's bid for re-election. Rich Samuels was present at their announcement, and tells us what it could mean for the race.

$3 to ride the train and $2.50 to ride the bus -- these are just a few of the plans the CTA has proposed to fill its projected $300 million budget shortfall. Rich Samuels fills us in on the planned fare hikes and service cuts.

Now that former Governor Jim Edgar has thrown his political weight into the gubernatorial race, what will this mean for the rest of the candidates in the crowded field? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss this hotly contested race and others.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama sends in key cabinet members to meet with city officials about Chicago's surging youth violence; a bankruptcy judge approves the sale of the Chicago Sun-Times to financier Jim Tyree; the CTA is in yet another budget crunch; video poker is banned in Cook County; Chicago is still stunned by its first-round Olympic elimination; the Cubs sale is approved by Major League Baseball owners; and the Bears are riding the hot arm of Jay Cutler. Guests:

We take another look at Carol Marin's revealing interview with former George Ryan confidant Scott Fawell and his fiancé Andrea Coutretsis.

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Mayor Daley held a summit on youth violence today in response to the beating death of Fenger High School student Derrion Albert. Rich Samuels tells us what they had to say, and has reaction from some local high school students.

Rich Samuels has the latest on the continuing debate over the ban of video gambling in unincorporated areas of Cook County.

Back from Copenhagen, Mayor Daley's first order of business was addressing the videotaped beating death of Derrion Albert. Daley met with city and school officials yesterday at a violence summit. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel have the latest developments.

It's the first day of the new term for the United States Supreme Court. Carol Marin and her panel of former Supreme Court clerks discuss what could turn out to be the major cases this session, including a handgun case originating in Chicago.

Does a squabble between the Quinn administration and the city of Springfield threaten Illinois' bid for a high-speed rail line? Rich Samuels has the latest.

Video Poker Ban Legalized video poker will not be coming to unincorporated areas of Cook County. Rich Samuels tells us what was behind the vote county commissioners took today.

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read some viewer mail.

The United States Supreme Court will hear an appeal of Chicago's handgun ban. Rich Samuels looks at what the case could mean for gun laws.

The mob beating of 16-year-old Fenger Academy High School student Derrion Albert has attracted national attention. We talk to Rev. Jesse Jackson about his meeting with Derrion's family today.