Hour 1
Enrollment in for-profit colleges and trade schools has soared with the recession. An estimated 2.6 million students are enrolled in schools such as ITT, Corinthian Colleges, Career Education Corporation, and the University of Phoenix. But critics argue that in the drive for profits, these schools fail to deliver what they promise, employ deceptive marketing and recruitment techniques, and have low rates of graduation and job placement. This hour, a look at for-profit schools with ProPublica reporter Sharona Couttes, education professor Brian Pusser, and Career College Association President Harris Miller.

Filed under: politics, school issues, social issues |

Hour 2
Fans of detective shows like CSI or the modern mystery novel know that a suspect’s guilt or innocence is often determined by a miniscule piece of forensic evidence. But this wasn’t always the case, as science journalist Deborah Blum explains in her new book, "The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York." Blum tells the story of two pioneering scientists, New York’s first chief medical examiner Charles Norris and toxicologist Alexander Gettler, who together revolutionized forensic medicine, put countless murderers behind bars, and improved public safety. This hour, we’ll hear some tales of murder and medical detection from the early years of forensic science.

Filed under: author, crime, criminal justice, health, science |