Army suicides hit a record high in July. A former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army talks about why the suicide rate is increasing now. We also have the second part of our story on the rise of heroin abuse in California. Pussy Riot, the punk rock girl band, has been sentenced to two years in prison for staging a protest in a famous Russian Orthodox Church. And if you're looking for something to do this weekend, Meghan McCarty has you covered with her Weekend Alibi. She'll tell you where to go to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first Tarzan story published by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Finally, Madeleine has some news for listeners about some changes to the show.

Korean pop music, better known to fans as K-POP, is hugely popular throughout Asia, but finding success in the U.S has been much harder. That was before the single "Gangnam Style" from singer PSY hit the web. The Medicare debate heats up Presidential race. Mitt Romney's choice of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate has put the Medicare debate front and center. The trial for an Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shooting has been delayed because of his objection to being forcibly shaved. John Moe is back for his update on tech news. The perils of picking the perfect Vice President, in the era of post-Sarah Palin. And the Sklar brothers are back with the latest highlights in sports.

Every year in Hiroshima, organizers conduct a ceremony that looks back on the end of WWII. Roland Kelts tells us how, even 67 years later, the city is still coping. In choosing congressman Paul Ryan as the GOP Vice President pick, many think that Mitt Romney is on track to lose the Latino vote. All over Los Angeles, high school football players are already struggling with team practices and college recruiters have been playing very close attention, hoping to find the next college superstar. California Watch reports that heroin abuse is on the rise in California. And we'll talk to Luke Burbank, the host of the "Too Beautiful to Live" podcast about banning kids from bars, Insane Clown Posse's fight with the FBI and the Scrabble cheat that was recently uncovered.

A Martinez sits in for Madeleine today. Students head back to school in Los Angeles, KPCC's education reporter Vanessa Romo gives us an update on Miramonte Elementary, embroiled last year in a sexual abuse scandal. At Miramonte, there's a new principal, and a majority of the former teachers are returning. Then, we look at older students in California, and why 'CA's Master Plan for Education' is no longer the envy of the nation. Plus, it's New Music Tuesday, Ann Powers reviews two young acts re-interpretation of older, classic sounds. And, the deadliest day on K2, "Buried In the Sky" uncovers how two men survived the 'savage mountain.'

The 2012 Olympics are over, but California is still aglow with its collective gold medal wins. Reporter Josie Huang has more about how California stacks up against the rest of the US. Speaking of gold, the battle over Thomas Kinkade's estate is going to court. The prolific painter made millions selling paintings that depicted idyllic natural settings. Now his estranged wife and live-in girlfriend are fighting over his estate. Plus, Mitt Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate this weekend. How did Ryan come to power in Wisconsin? And how much love does he have for Ayn Rand's work? Madeleine talks to guests who have those answers. And Brian Castner talks to Madeleine about his work as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer in Iraq from 1999 to 2007, an experience which he details in his book "The Long Walk."

Former President Bill Clinton will make a big splash at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. We talk with Bloomberg's Margaret Carlson about his role in this year's presidential campaign. Then, can the GOP remain relevant in the Golden State? KPCC's Frank Stoltze joins the show with a preview of California's bi-annual GOP convention this weekend in Burbank. Then, performer Heather Woodbury joins Madeleine to tell you about her new show, which has been called "a one-woman stage-novel." The Olympics heads into the final stretch of competition. KPCC's A Martinez has the lastest on the big battle for men's soccer gold.