It’s mid-November, but winter is already here: complete with snow and below freezing temperatures. If you’re someone who feels down this time of year, we’ll provide some tips on dealing with seasonal affective disorder. Plus, Illinois has gotten better at providing more money to school districts that need it the most. But there are still huge gaps that have to do with how our district borders are drawn. And, rural Illinoisans often have to travel farther to get their food. We’ll talk with folks from around the state who are trying to bring more fresh and local food options into their communities.

We all know that the nutrients we eat affect our physical health, but what about our mental health? We talk about the connection between the gut and the brain. And, fewer students are learning cursive in elementary and middle school. And some educators worry that this could spell trouble for preserving the billions of handwritten documents in our national archives. Plus, we’re wrapping up our series of summer book recommendations with some of our favorites for kids and young adults.