The rate of pregnancy-related deaths for women in the United States is the highest in the developed world by a significant margin. The author of a new report on the problem is with us to discuss what makes the U.S. stand out and what can be changed to save more lives. We also explore boredom - why we get bored, how we handle it, and if it's inescapable. Plus, we'll get the latest in the investigation into Russian interference and the new special counsel.

Student leaders have been criticizing UW-Madison as unresponsive to the concerns of minority students, and racially charged incidents on campuses across the country have recently made the news. We discuss to what extent racism is alive on college campuses and why. The champion of Wisconsin's "Poetry Out Loud" competition for high school students also speaks with us about representing the state in Washington D.C. Plus, we talk to a state capitol reporter about the latest news out of the state legislature's budget committee, which met Tuesday.

Much has been made of America's urban-rural divide and its effect on politics, but what does it actually mean to be "rural?" A demographer discusses a recent report exploring the question in Wisconsin. We also recap the biggest national news stories of the week, including President Trump's reported sharing of classified intelligence with Russian officials. Plus, it's Museum Week in Wisconsin! Find out what events and great museums we can attend.

A new video series puts acclaimed Wisconsin chefs in a stranger's kitchen and challenges them to use what's in the pantry to make a delicious meal. The show's host shares some of the creations he's seen so far. We also talk about why physical book sales are making a comeback. And we'll discuss the news that President Trump may have shared classified information with Russian diplomats during a recent meeting.

A new study of the Wisconsin workforce shows that for many families, jobs with benefits are not enough to thrive. We discuss what was found and what's needed for people with jobs to stay above the poverty line. By the year 2030, over 8 million women are expected to be living with dementia, and finding enough caregivers for them will be a challenge. The author of a new report on the topic is with us to discuss the looming crisis. Plus, data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources show about a third of the state's CAFOs are operating under expired permits. We find out why that is and what's being done to renew these permits.

This week, a new generation of WPR programs hits the airwaves! We hear what pilot programs to look out for and the work that's gone into "WPR Next." We also talk with a state representative about his bill that would allow for more criminal offenders to have convictions expunged from their records. And after torch-bearing white nationalists protested the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue in Virginia, we take a look at the ongoing debate around Confederate monuments.

The 2016 November election was the first presidential contest in which Wisconsin residents were required to show photo ID at the polls. We talk with the journalist behind a new report that claims the state's voter-ID law suppressed up to 200,000 votes. The author of a memoir about the early years of the AIDS epidemic is also with us to discuss the toll the disease took on the gay community. Plus, we talk to a computer expert about the global ransomware attack over the weekend and how users can protect themselves.

A new season of "Director's Cut" is set to premiere on Wisconsin Public Television, showcasing the best new independent films. The show's host talks about what this season will feature and what he thinks makes for a great picture. For Food Friday, we learn about the many uses for herbs, from cooking, to crafts and skin care. A we take a look at a memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions which directs federal prosecutors to charge defendants with the most serious provable crimes.

In congressional districts where Republican lawmakers are not holding town halls, some Democrats are having meetings of their own. Democratic Representative Mark Pocan talks with us about the trend, and why he's holding a town hall in House Speaker Paul Ryan's district. We also discuss the many effects that inequality has on our lives, from our health to our views on moral issues like justice and fairness. Plus, the top state news stories of the week get another look, including Republican Representative Mike Gallagher's response to the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

If there's one thing most people know about dieting, it's that less fat intake is a good thing. However, our guest says that's not always the case. She's with us to discuss the ways fat works in our body and when it can actually be healthy. The musician behind NPR's most famous theme songs is with us to discuss his debut album. And we'll get the results from the latest Wisconsin Survey.