America has long been regarded as the world leader in innovation and invention. We learn about the reasons for that, as well as some of the characters and inventions that have left a mark on our daily lives. A state news editor also joins us to recap the top Wisconsin headlines of the past year, including the evolving relationship between House Speaker Paul Ryan and president-elect Donald Trump.

The White House announced yesterday that it would impose sanctions on Russia following the discovery of Russian hacking during the 2016 election. We'll speak with a reporter about the sanctions and what the U.S. could see from Russia in the coming weeks. Authentic Chinese cooking is one of the world's oldest culinary traditions, and a far cry from the take out many of us are familiar with. During Food Friday, the author of a new Chinese cookbook shares some of his favorite recipes and how we can master the style. And a federal judge has ruled that a portion of Wisconsin's Right-To-Work law is unconstitutional. We'll learn more about the justifications and potential ramifications of the decision.

State Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb announced his resignation this week, in the midst of a contentious debate over transportation funding. We find out more about his decision and what's next. In the early years of America's space program, a group of African-American female mathematicians played a crucial role in some of NASA's greatest successes. The daughter of one of NASA's first black engineers joins us to share their story. WE also take a look at a UW-Madison course that is creating some controversy both in Wisconson and nationwide.

A guest professor and author says that the war on drugs has failed, citing unjust incarceration and an increase in some drug use. He explains his argument to legalize all drugs and establish regulations to discourage substance abuse. We also invite you to share your New Year's resolutions with us. Plus, as a dispute over a Trempealeau county frac sand mining permit heads to the state Supreme Court, county officials worry the outcome may limit future public input into such decisions.

State Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling joins us to look back at the year in politics and discuss her priorities for 2017. This year, a senior at Oconomowoc High School set out to visit all of Wisconsin's state parks in under one hundred days. She shares her adventures and favorite places with us. A new study shows that children's math knowledge in preschool is related to later achievement, but not all types of math had an equal effect. A UW psychology professor discusses the findings.

A recent change to the Wisconsin DNR website removed language detailing the effect of climate change on the Great Lakes, instead emphasizing the ongoing debate about a changing world. We find out just what was revised and why the changes may have been made. A television columnist also joins us to talk about the best shows of 2016. And we find out why the state's highest court denied a request to release training videos featuring Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel.

We visit with a Milwaukee pharmacist that has been providing remedies for his community since the late 1960s. He talks about his military past, his path to pharmacy, and his longstanding devotion to helping his loyal customers. In the political world, 2016 has been a year unlike any other. We recap the stories that drove American politics and look ahead to next year.

In a look back at 2016, Wisconsin's Attorney General Brad Schimel discusses the opiod crisis, untested rape kits, and the John Doe leak. Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of the Soviet Union's dissolution. We're joined by a professor to discuss how the relationship between the U.S. and Russia has shifted in the last quarter-century and what changes could be in store as Donald Trump transitions to the presidency. We also break down the relationship between racism and mental illness, its history, and whether or not looking at racism through the lens of mental health makes sense.

In November, the Food and Drug Administration chose to advance drug trials for treating post-traumatic stress disorder with MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. We find out how the drug may help, and what past clinical trials have shown. We also speak with State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos about the past year at the Capitol, and his priorities for 2017. Plus, many jobs don't get much respect from employers, customers, or the public. A guest offers ways to restore respect and dignity to all types of labor.

Our ability to understand the pain of others is usually considered and important virtue. However, our guest argues that empathy can actually be harmful, leading to inequality and immorality. He makes the case for replacing empathy with "rational compassion". We also learn what a Wisconsin family's clothing collection can reveal about fashion and American society during the last 150 years. Plus, a look into a top headline.