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The recession has taken a toll on many Americans, and alarming new statistics reveal just how much. Eddie Arruza reports on the recently released U.S. poverty data, and what the new face of poverty looks like.

From Rod Blagojevich's precipitous fall from grace, his conviction and whirlwind media tour to Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s extramarital affair and his hopes for a mayoral run in a tailspin, Illinois is familiar with scandal. We talk to the author of How to Become a Scandal: Adventures in Bad Behavior. Meet the author at 57th Street Books on October 13th

Just in time for Halloween, Check Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh tells us which wines to pair with our favorite sugary treats. Pelee Island Winery Rieslings:

The late Tony Curtis played sax in the sexy comedy Some Like it Hot. Last year he spoke with us about acting opposite Marilyn Monroe in this cross-dressing classic. We revisit that interview. The Making of Some Like It Hot: My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie

Scott Lee Cohen has gone from disgraced Illinois Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor to Independent candidate for governor. Carol Marin sits down with Scott Lee Cohen.

Jay Cutler and the Bears fell hard in New York. We dissect last night's loss with former Bear Pro Bowler Jerry Azumah.

An illness has sidelined Riccardo Muti, the new music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We talk with the President of the CSO about the latest developments.

Phil Ponce talked one-on-one with Maestro Muti the day before the announcement that he was leaving Chicago due to illness. We bring you that interview.

A big week in Politics: The race for mayor focusing on White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel who's finally leaving Washington. But his residency may become an issue. A new CNN/Time poll indicates both the race for Senate and Governor are virtually tied. The highly controversial Health Care Reform finally becomes a reality but will it mean benefit cuts at McDonald's? And in sports, the still-undefeated Bears beat the penalty-plagued Packers. Guests:

We're roughly five weeks away from the elections, and a recent poll shows the race for Senate is in a dead heat. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the close race, the latest on the gubernatorial race and much more.

Eddie Arruza talks to noted Shakespearean director Barbara Gaines about her operatic directorial debut at Lyric Opera. Macbeth at Lyric Opera

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

Beloved Chicago comedian Bernie Mac died two years ago this month. Comedian George Willborn and Bernie Mac's daughter talk about the little known disease that took his life and what's being done to raise awareness. Bernie Mac Foundation

Geoffrey Baer uncovers the mystery about a vacant, vast expanse along on the lakefront in South Chicago that is bigger than the Loop in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Big Head Todd performs and talks to us about his 20-plus years in the music business. Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Phil Ponce goes one-on-one with Mayor Daley, who talks about the fallout from his decision not to run for another term and the upcoming mayoral election, and reflects on his time in office.

What is terrorism? How has the so-called threat shifted since the attacks of 9/11, and how much should we know? We sit down with the head of the FBI's Chicago office and the Director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point for those answers and to hear about a new nationwide terrorism training program. Combating Terrorism Center Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago

From the football field to the bench. We talk to a former Bear Hall of Famer turned Minnesota Supreme Court Justice. He's the subject of the new book All Rise: The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page.

Hedy Weiss reviews the much-anticipated revival of Candide at the Goodman Theatre, plus three more shows from this busy fall theater season. Candide--Goodman Theatre She Loves Me--Writers' Theatre David Mamet plays--American Theater Company Romeo and Juliet--Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Could a Latino be the next mayor of Chicago? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss that possibility, and how the Hispanic community could impact the race.

We take a look at provocative artwork from Gregory Orloff, a rediscovered Chicago artist from the 1930s. Koehnline Museum of Art at Oakton Community College Orloff at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in the last seconds of Monday Night Football. Glen Kozlowski joins us on the Bears Alumni Club to dissect the exciting game.

Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns discusses his latest work, The Tenth Inning, which, among other things, takes a swing at baseball and steroids. More on The Tenth Inning

Now that the first wave in health care changes has begun, how will they impact you? We talk with the state director of insurance to find out. Find out about the new health insurance changes from the Illinois Department of Insurance

For almost 90 years, public corruption has been the target of the non-profit Better Government Association. Now, three high-profile journalists have joined the team to root out waste, fraud, and inefficiency. They chat with Eddie Arruza.

We take a look at how the science taking place at Chicago State University may revolutionize urban agriculture. Aquaponics at Chicago State University