The holidays would not be the same without it. We go behind the scenes to see how the Joffrey Ballet manages to keep its annual presentation of The Nutcracker fresh and new every year. Read an article.

We talk with the man recently hired to turn the city’s high-tech incubator known as 1871 into a major technology hub.

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Tom Dart have a new plan to ease the overcrowding at Cook County Jail. Carol Marin and her guests take a closer look at how they are trying to reverse the chronic problems with the Cook County criminal system, including the resentencing of violent offenders from boot camp to prison, as well as the results of a meeting between Chief Judge Tim Evans, Preckwinkle, Dart and the Illinois Supreme Court to reduce the massive criminal case backlog.

Chicago and the U.S. are in a transitional phase in terms of how they are perceived on the global stage according to Ivo Daalder, President of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. We talk with Daalder about Council initiatives that are working to bring Chicago and the country into a new age of diplomacy. Read an article.

From building a website to building the computer itself, students from the Woodlawn neighborhood are getting hands-on technological experience under a new program called Artifice. The programs founders, who are affiliates of the University of Chicago, say they hope the program will provide the students with skills that will eventually turn into careers or small businesses. Read an article.

Quarterback Jay Cutler turns in a rollercoaster performance in the Bears’ win over the Browns. James “Big Cat” Williams joins us to critique Cutler, break down the potent rushing attack, and preview the Eagles matchup. Watch a web extra video.

Tarell Alvin McCraney, an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre, was the recipient of a $625,000 “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation this year. He joins us. Read an interview.

We share what you had to say about the pending Ashland Bus Rapid Transit project in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

We talk with the South African Consul General about an event giving Chicagoans a chance to mourn and celebrate Nelson Mandela.

A new investigation by the Better Government Association, with the Chicago Sun-Times, raises serious questions about a well-known Chicago congressman and how he handled a sizable grant from a special interest. Where did the money end up? And were constituents ill-served? Read the full BGA story.

An art museum digs deep into its collection and brings out rarely seen works, from Frederic Remington to Salvador Dali. We revisit a preview of Inventory_The EAM Collection at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Read an Artbeat blog and view a gallery.

A huge lake freighter pulls up to storage facility along the Calumet River, poised to haul away piles of the controversial petroleum byproduct called "petcoke."  Elizabeth Brackett has the latest details.

Debate over an Ashland Bus Rapid Transit line is heating up as community meetings take place this week to gauge public sentiment. We talk with Ald. George Cardenas (12th) and Metropolitan Planning Council Vice President Peter Skosey about the advantages and challenges facing this long-term project. Read an interview.