Call it "Arne Duncan Unplugged," an unscripted Monday afternoon exchange at QuEST between the U.S. education secretary and AFT members on the issues that matter most to education's frontline. The July 13 session began with a drum roll: AFT members' handwritten questions for the education secretary were collected in advance and placed inside an onstage sweepstakes drum. After a few turns, AFT president Randi Weingarten reached in and selected a handful at random, and Duncan took the stage to provide some answers.

The Illinois Senate concluded the impeachment trial of Governor Rod Blagojevich on Jan. 29 by removing him from office, effective immediately. After the Senate vote, Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke administered the oath of office to Patrick Quinn.

The Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) wants to get the word out to senior citizens that those with at least $3,000 annual income (including Social Security, VA benefits and railroad retirement) are eligible for a rebate check.