Meeting a soon to be friend, learning that they both lived on the same block, in the same apartment building-in the Bronx, may have prompted Arlene Alda, award winning photographer and author, to write "Just Kids from the Bronx."

The "Rap Sheet Trap" reports shine a light on the criminal justice system's inability to fix its own mistakes-and the pain suffered by those caught in the trap. Tom Robbins, CUNY J School and team, Laura Bult and Sarah Barrett discuss their findings.

Richard Murphy, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, the Philippines, Syria discusses Israel, Iran and the bomb, Israeli elections, the Republican letter to Teheran and ISIS.

Eric Alterman, Distinguished Professor, Brooklyn College, The Nation columnist and author of "Inequality and One City" discusses the significance of Mayor de Blasio's election to progressives, nationwide, the advances and mis-steps of the administration.

James Parrott, chief economist and deputy director at the Fiscal Policy Institute, talks about Gov. Cuomo's proposed 2015-2016 budget, calling the Education Tax Credit "an unwise use of the state budget." FPI works to increase understanding of tax system.

Phil Klay, National Book Award winner, reads from his book, "Redeployment," 12 short stories about soldiers and their experiences in Iraq during the surge in 2007-2008. Praised by President Obama and critically acclaimed, "Redeployment" is a must read.

Scott Stringer, NYC Comptroller, discusses the duties and goals of the Comptroller's office. He acknowledges the "strong position" of New York City's finances, reminding New Yorkers of issues still to be dealt with: housing, low-level jobs.

CUNY Chan. James B. Milliken discusses President Obama's plan for tuition-free community colleges, noting the President recognition of CUNY's Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) as a national model for its effectiveness and successful outcome.

York College/CUNY Prof. Ron Daniels has returned to Selma, many times with students, to talk with the current population and with those who remember what took place on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the marches for their constitutional right to vote.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, elected to his third term with the highest percentage of votes of all statewide candidates, speaks with cautious optimism about New York's fiscal future, and with concern about areas still hurting.