After the messy ouster of his predecessor, Metra's new interim executive director Donald Orseno tells us how he intends to drive the scandal-ridden commuter rail agency forward.

Where does the nation – and the city of Chicago – stand on this 50th anniversary of the March on Washington? What might Martin Luther King Jr. think of the state of racial equality in Chicago? Elizabeth Brackett and her guests discuss the past, and more importantly, the future.

Term limits on Illinois legislators are back in the news. Polls show a majority of voters favor term limits. But will they alleviate the gridlock in Springfield, bring new blood and fresh ideas to state government, and reduce the power of lobbyists and entrenched staffers? And what is the likelihood such reform could be adopted in Illinois? We take a closer look.

What is a Bitcoin? Where do they come from and how are they used? And why are more and more governments taking a careful look at this first-ever cyber currency?

Actress, comedian, and Saturday Night Live veteran Nora Dunn returns to the Chicago stage with Mythical Proportions, a one-woman, multi-character show that reflects on her Chicago upbringing and her up-and-down journey through show business. Watch video clips from Dunn's show and a web extra conversation.

We look at a pair of artists who met, married and lived at Jane Addams’ Hull House during the Depression era. Their works are currently on view at the Koehnline Museum on the campus of Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Read an interview and view a slideshow.

We take a look at the new criminals of the internet age -- and the technology police use to catch them. Read an excerpt from The Internet Police: How Crime Went Online and the Cops Followed.

Dennis Paige brought native Illinois prairie plants to his suburban condo development. They're not just beautiful; experts say native plant gardens are great for the environment. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile.

It's the first day of school for most Chicago Public Schools students. Elizabeth Brackett has more on the impact of nearly 50 school closings and the effectiveness of Safe Passage.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to grade the first day of school.

We take a closer look at the new-look Chicago Public Schools with Andrea Zopp, a Chicago Board of Education member who voted to shutter 49 schools, the former interim CPS CEO Terry Mazany, as well as Wendy Katten of Raise Your Hand, and Jitu Brown of Journey for Justice.

Dan Parizek is a “Honeybee Rescuer." If you’ve got a beehive in the walls of your home, Dan will relocate it so it won’t be destroyed by an exterminator. With Colony Collapse Disorder destroying some 10 million beehives since 2007, Dan and others say we can’t afford to lose any more hives. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an article, watch a web extra video, and learn more about Colony Collapse Disorder from local scientists.

In Expecting Better, University of Chicago economics professor Emily Oster argues that much of the conventional wisdom about pregnancy isn’t supported by data. She joins us to pinpoint the most egregious myths. Read an excerpt.