This week, the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team tracked down thousands of dollars in donations after a pattern of questionable campaign contributions. Globe editor Brian McGrory joined Jim and Margery to discuss this investigation, and the front-page wraparound Sunday story on a 1916 trolley accident.

Here’s an October surprise: Could it be that in these highly partisan times, Republicans and Democrats have joined together in mutual frustration with FBI director James Comey? The Department of Justice is trying to subdue the widespread outrage over Comey’s disclosure that the FBI has re-opened its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, but has the damage already been done?  And if so, has this in any  way compromised national security? Security Mom Juliette Kayyem weighs in.

On June 19th 1953 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed. They died as lasting symbols of American Cold war fear and paranoia; and Ethel Rosenberg died a lasting symbol of American Injustice. Now the Rosenberg sons, Michael and Robert Meeropol, are asking President Obama to pardon their mother. After the election they aim to submit their request the the president, outlining how the prosecution faked evidence that sent her to the electric chair. Robert Meeropol joined us on the line from New England Public Radio.

What the environment is to climate change deniers, Concussions are to the NFL. Just as there is scientific proof that the earth’s rising temperature is calamitous, is rising, there is scientific proof that playing football can have, damaging, life altering effects on the brain. Chris Nowinski is  working to bring widespread attention to this. He’s the co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and he joined Jim and Margery to chat about the upcoming 9th Annual Impact Awards Dinner.

Sue O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, and host of   The Take on NECN. She joined Jim and Margery to take on the social norms and abnormalities of the day —which includes Nibbles the therapy rabbit.

This week we’re taking a closer look at the ballot questions, and today it’s Question 2: which would authorize the approval of up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education per year. We opened up the lines, asking you:  Are you a parent who would like to have the option of sending your kid to a charter school, are you a teacher at a public school who worries charter schools will drain resources? Or are you worried that if we vote to expand charter schools, that could weaken the bond ratings for Boston and three other cities?

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