October 8, 2008

Town Hall Debate

Four weeks before Election Day, John McCain and Barack Obama meet in Nashville for their only town-hall debate. How they respond to direct questioning from undecided voters and what may make a difference at the polls.

Two Former U.S. Poet Laureates, Billy Collins and Donald Hall

Billy Collins discusses his latest poetry collection, titled "Ballistics." Donald Hall on his new memoir, "Unpacking the Boxes."

October 8, 2008

Equal Access toJustice?

DC is jokingly called "a city full of lawyers." But for the poor, getting legal help in a child custody battle, a landlord-tenant dispute or to resolve an inheritance conflict is virtually impossible. Kojo hears from the Access to Justice Commission, created three years ago by the DC Court of Appeals, to see what improvements have been made, and what still needs to be done better.

Local Theater

What does Homer Simpson have in common with Macbeth? We'll hear about a theater production that merges these two cultural icons -- and learn more about other offerings on local stages -- in our fall review of the region's theater scene.

Mental Health and Public Policy

The 110th Congress will long be remembered for the theatrics and acrimony surrounding the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. But activists, business leaders, and politicians are finding common ground on a surprising issue: mental health. We look at recently-passed laws that will affect how your insurer -- and your employer -- will deal with mental health issues.

October 3, 2008

The Bookstore Is Closed

Tucked somewhere between the headlines announcing the collapse of all the Wachovias and Washington Mutuals this week was news about another failing business that, for some of us, carried more emotional impact. Olsson's Bookstore was done. At one time, this independent books and music chain ran nine stores in the DC region. By this summer, it was down to five. By Tuesday, all doors were closed. We're joined by a local musician and a local author to talk about the end of Olsson's. Singer and songwriter Mary Battiata was a Washington Post reporter and now leads the band Little Pink. Scott W. Berg teaches writing at George Mason University and is the author of "Grand Avenues, The Story of the French Visionary who Designed Washington, DC."

• Second Frederick Officer Shooting Fatality
• D.C.'s Child and Family Services Agency Avoids Contempt Order, Agrees to Reforms
• Virginia Grapples With Privacy of Social Security Numbers
• Asians Targeted in Robberies in Montgomery County and D.C.
• Some D.C. Residents Won't Vote November 4th
• New Development Along Anacostia River To Include City Park Named After Murdered

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• Ferreting Out Fibs In The Second Debate
• Economy Likely To Dominate Presidential Debate
• As Iceland Reels, Finance Minister Explains Crisis
• In Minn., A Tight Race For U.S. Senate
• Amid Economic Woes, Reliably Red Ind. Turns
• Despite Bailout, Credit Markets Tight

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• Rescue plan for UK banks unveiled
• US voters put rivals to the test
• Mbeki ally forms breakaway party
• Anger over Guantanamo Bay ruling
• Maldives begin historic election
• Afghan officials 'met ex-Taleban'

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