During a decade as superintendent of three school systems, Patrick Risha, 59, worked repeatedly with contractors whose relationships have included business and political aspects, spurring protests, court battles and a Post-Gazette examination. (Today)

"I just can't talk about it anymore. I have been going crazy with media calls about bedbugs," said Dr. Michael Potter, who nonetheless bristled slightly at the suggestion that people were overreacting a tad to a bug that doesn't spread disease -- just stress, sleeplessness and stigma. (Today)

Perhaps the most fundamental and finite resource schools have is time. As pressure builds to increase student achievement, talk across the country often turns to lengthening the school day or school year -- both expensive options. But a critical question is: What are schools doing to make the best use of the time they have now? (Today)

If it seems like there's been a lot of reconstruction going on along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, it's because there has. (Today)

State law requires public schools to provide 180 days of instruction a year, but through various exceptions, public school districts can provide fewer student days -- or, if teachers agree, more days. (Today)