Todd Zwillich

The Obama administration announced a $1.25 billion settlement yesterday, resolving a decades-long fight by thousands of black farmers who say the Agriculture Department discriminated against them in loan programs. At times, this discrimination forced them to lose their farms.

Malcolm X was assassinated 45 years ago this weekend. Earlier this year, WNYC Radio unearthed a 1960s interview between the civil rights leader and a reporter named Eleanor Fischer. On this somber anniversary, we consider Malcolm X’s legacy through the rediscovered tape, which has not been heard since the 1960s. We also speak to two people whose lives were profoundly affected by his leadership.

The assassination of Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh last month in a Dubai hotel room has been compared to the plot of a cheap spy novel. Bad costumes, security footage, and Interpol all make for a good thread.  

A Valentine's Day message made out of cow manure tops our good week list, while Kevin Smith gets a nod for having a rough time on a Southwest Airlines flight when he was booted off for being too fat. In conjunction with The Week magazine, we take a look at who had a good week and who had a bad week and as always, we take your suggestions.

• AUSTIN PLANE CRASH: Joseph Andrew Stack allegedly flew his small plane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas after confessing on his website in a rambling screed against the U.S. government. Ian Crawford, news editor for KUT in Austin, Tex. brings us the latest.
• OLYMPICS: We preview a sport that many people didn't know existed: The Skeleton. New York Times Olympics editor Jason Stallman explains.

Yesterday, we talked about high schools in eight states that are considering an initiative to let students place out of their senior year in high school and enter community college. It sparked a heated debate among listeners on the merits of the program, so we revisit the issue with a psychology professor and an expert in early graduation.

For all the people out there who couldn't care less about the Olympics, NASCAR or the Super Bowl, but are forced to live in a world where everyone else does, this week's movie segment is for you. The topic: sports movies for people who hate sports.

Iraq's elections, scheduled for March 7, have already led to a spike in violent attacks throughout the country. Now, in Washington, there's concern that Iran is attempting to influence those elections.

President Barack Obama complicated U.S./China relations by hosting the Dalai Lama at the White House yesterday. The meeting was not a state visit and the fact that it took place in the Map Room rather than the Oval Office means that the conversation was more symbolic than official.  However, the White House drew strong criticism from China just for hosting the Dalai Lama.

• MONEY: Yesterday, the Federal Reserve raised the interest rate it charges on short-term emergency loans to banks, a sign that the Fed is exiting from measures they put in place during the financial crisis. New York Times finance reporter Louise Story fills us in on how this rate hike will affect regular Americans.
• SPORTS: Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin tells us about the highly anticipated Tiger Woods press conference. Woods may not have the answers we're looking for.
• OLYMPICS: New York Times Olympics editor Jason Stallman joins us with the latest news from Vancouver, including a full report on men's figure skating.

It's been one week since NATO and Afghan forces began their offensive in Marjah, Afghanistan. In that time, much of the Taliban has fled the region and key leaders have been caught. But will controlling the city help defeat the Taliban in the long run? 

Eight of the 10 missionaries from Boise, Idaho who were charged with trying to take Haitian children out of the country illegally have been freed and are now back in the U.S. They were released by a Haitian judge on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after they were jailed for trying to take a group of children out of the earthquake-stricken country.

Eighty years ago an astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh, who worked at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, made a discovery that would capture the imagination of space enthusiasts for generations. He found Pluto.

With the recent announcement that the administration may repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," there has been much talk about issues of equality when it comes to the military. But another another group is also struggling for equal military opportunities: women. The current policy held by the Department of Defense does not allow women in ground units where they might engage in direct combat.

Eight states are implementing a radical new program in high schools for next year that will allow students to graduate early and enter into two-year community colleges, if they pass the right tests. We speak to a top education official and a high school teacher involved in the program to find out how the program will work.

• DEBT TAKEOUT: President Obama is expected to sign an executive order today, setting up a bipartisan commission to examine ways to reduce our soaring deficit. Walter Alarcon, a staff writer for The Hill, joins us with a look at a bitterly divided Congress.
• FINANCE TAKEOUT: New York Times finance reporter Louise Story tells us why federal and state authorities are going after companies that try to pass off regular employees as private contractors.
• OLYMPICS TAKEOUT: Freelance sports writer Dan Friedell joins us with some thoughts on how the Vancouver Olympics differ from the games in Beijing. He says the 2008 Games was a well-oiled machine, while the 2010 Games has seen glitch after glitch. You may be surprised which one Dan thinks is more fun. 

Later this afternoon, the Department of Health and Human Services is expected to release a report criticizing insurance companies for their dramatically increasing insurance premiums.

In honor of all the silver foxes out there (and the people who love them), we dedicate this week's tech segment to assistive technologies for older people.

A BBC Investigation has uncovered evidence that criminal gangs have been cashing in on the Haiti earthquake by asking people to donate to bogus charities. The charity asks for donations to pay for relief supplies using untraceable bank transfers. 

Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the winners of a government stimulus grant called TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery). Communities around the country competed for federal money to revamp their public transit systems. A flood of entries — nearly 1,400 — were whittled down to 51 winners.