A critical state program that provides day care to more than 100,000 low-income children is in jeopardy because lawmakers failed to enact a balanced budget.

The Dow surges through 18,000, as the economy grows at its fastest pace in more than a decade.

Despite a gradually improving economy, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has seen an increase in low-income individuals needing food assistance. Among those in need are military veterans. We hear from veterans and the executive director of the Food Depository about why servicemen and women are among those seeking help with their food needs.

We revisit our conversation with the scientists behind the discovery of Spinosaurus, the largest predatory dinosaur ever found.

We revisit our conversation with Chicago native actor and comedian Jane Lynch. 

Jay Shefsky takes a road trip to see 15,000 Sandhill Cranes in Indiana. Jay and his Field Museum guide, Josh Engel, get a surprise along the way.

A scientific study calls into question the safety benefits of red light cameras which is the reason City Hall installed them. We'll talk about the study and the politics of Chicago's red light cameras.

Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the Bears' fourth straight loss, this one coming at home to playoff-bound Detroit.

We revisit a conversation with a cardiologist who believes a vegan diet is good for your heart.

The Metropolitan Club and Breakthrough Urban Ministries team up to prep middle school kids on how to cook a holiday meal for their families.

We revisit a conversation with Marius Stan, an Argonne scientist, who came to have a recurring part in the hit TV series Breaking Bad.

We revisit Chicago Tonight’s story about Chicago Public School students participation in an award-winning program at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

In this special Year In Review edition of The Week In Review, Joel Weisman's guests talk about the most interesting stories they covered in 2014.