The Diane Rehm Show

Voters in Colorado, Oregon and Washington state weigh in on ballot initiatives that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. Federal law, state initiatives and the ongoing debate over legalizing pot.

Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan debate in Kentucky. The presidential race tightens in swing states. And the Supreme Court hears arguments on affirmative action. Ron Elving of NPR, Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times and Naftali Bendavid of The Wall Street Journal join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Political stakes are high in a number of House and Senate races across the country. A look at key contests to watch and how the outcomes could shape the new Congress.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan just completed a cross-country bus tour promoting education as an investment in America's future. He joins Diane to talk about ongoing reforms and challenges still facing our nation's schools. Later in the hour, a panel of education experts give their views on what is and isn't working in the U.S. education system.