HearSay returns to tackle the latest news about the government shutdown, changes in tax policy and the new project to build a dome in Virginia Beach.

Jim Orband will return to us with the wisdom to solve all your toughest gardening problems. Then we will find out what's going on in Mal's World!

As part of our American Graduate 3 programming, Cathy will be talking to people in schools and industries about all the career paths involved in homebuilding.

ODU's yearly State of the Commonwealth report is coming out with a picture of the economy across Virginia. Economist Robert McNab explains it all to us. We also talk to the leadership of GO Virginia, an ambitious economic development initiative. Finally, Newport News mayor McKinley Price discusses high-tech companies coming to his city.

In the aftermath of a rash of bomb threats across the country and a shooting here in our community, we take stock of security threats that have confronted us this past year. What does it mean for us to be safe? How do we take proper precautions without overreacting to every story? What should we do to prepare for 2019?

Ryan Murphy and Joanne Kimberlin of The Virginian-Pilot have covered the VNG pipeline project extensively. We will talk to them to get a solid understanding of the facts behind the uproar. And author and scholar Bruce Katz will tell us about the rising power of cities to make policy. Finally, we will find out what's going on in Mal's World.

Jay Ford from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will argue against offshore drilling. We will also talk about ODU's new report about the quality of life in Hampton Roads. Then, Cathy will talk to artist P.J. Lynch, whose illustrations for Dickens's A Christmas Carol are featured this month at Nauticus.

Mike Watson of Explore Offshore makes the argument that we need to develop oil production off our coasts. Then we hear about the new Carnival cruises visiting Cuba. Finally, Brian Cannon of OneVirginia2021 tells us how to fix gerrymandering in the Commonwealth. William and Mary Law professor Rebecca Green joins the discussion.

About two weeks ago Michelle Obama stunned people with a blunt takedown of the "lean in" mantra. She said the idea that women can “have it all” is a lie. Cathy will talk about gender and career success and the controversy behind those remarks. Also, longtime Pilot writers Bill Bartel, Robert McCabe and Roger Chesley are leaving the paper. We will talk about their work.

Joe Flanagan will talk about Christmas movies with ODU professor Myles McNutt. Then we will discuss the changes to holiday celebrations in Hampton Roads over the years. It will be fun trip down through the past of our community. Finally, we will find out what's going on in Mal's World.