Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we discuss circumstances surrounding the Governor's call for a special session of the Virginia General Assembly, with the purpose of finalizing a state budget. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at [email protected] or join us on our Facebook pagefacebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

This week the Norfolk State University Department of English and Foreign Languages will hold the second annual William Carroll Writers Festival March 25-27. The event is a celebration of the unique culture of creativity that was fosters across the campus by the festival's namesake, Dr. Bill Carrol. The festival will feature published writers, professors and poets who will serve as keynote speakers in five sessions over the course of three days; they join us today on HearSay to discuss Dr. Bill's legacy and the challenges facing a new generation of writers and poets.

Do you have plans to take advantage of your accrued vacation and personal days before they run out? You're in good company if you don't; this year alone almost 60% of Americans won't use all their vacation time. We'll explore a new trend that's taking root in many startups, "unlimited vacation time," and consider how the U.S. stacks up in global rankings for maternity leave and paid leave.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. On today's HearSay, host Cathy Lewis is joined by doctors, advocates, and caregivers who continue the search for new developments in the treatment of this debilitating disease. We'll also discuss the local resources available to our region's ALS patients and how those options are helping them maintain their independence.

Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we discuss how the 2015 Pentagon defense budget will impact our local ship repair and construction industry. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at [email protected] or join us on our Facebook pagefacebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

With the joys of life comes the inevitability of death, but how do we prepare for that final moment, and how do those we love remember us once we've passed. On today's HearSay we'll consider both these questions as we explore best practices for preparing your estate and affairs before your death and how different generations and cultures across America mourn.

With only three months until graduation, college and high school seniors across the nation are preparing to take the next big step towards the "real world." On today's HearSay program, career and college specialists join host Cathy Lewis to offer a blueprint that soon-to-be graduates can use to better prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities to come.

Join us for another edition of Headlines, when we tackle the latest news stories that have you talking. This week we chat with a local singer/songwriter who is garnering national attention after her appearance on NBC's America's Got Talent. Join us with your thoughts by calling in live at 440-2665 or 1-800-940-2240. You can also e-mail the program at [email protected] or join us on our Facebook page facebook.com/hearsaywithcathylewis.

As the 2014 General Assembly Session draws to a close (almost), we're joined by the columnists and commentators that know Virginia's political machine inside and out. Be sure to tune in for what is sure to be a lively conversation about the issues that dominated the Commonwealth's political landscape this session.

Could closing a local military base actually help Virginia? It's the question on many minds after a recent report was issued by The Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities. The report suggests that the state would stand to gain more than it loses by embracing BRAC, which stands for Base Realignment and Closure. We'll consider the question today and invite you to weigh in on other issues impacting our region's military community, including newly proposed cuts to military commissaries and the 2015 Pentagon budget.