It happened. Election day came and went. Some races resulted in big changes or flipped seats. In North Carolina’s 115th District, Rep. John Ager won reelection, but the Republicans will maintain their majority in the State House of Representatives.

All eyes are on election day. While the presidential election is dominating the headlines, down ballot races have the potential to transform state legislatures, county commissions, and city councils across the country.

This week, Nothing Urgent tackles the government shutdown with Edward-Isaac Dovere, senior White House correspondent for POLITICO. Derek Evers and Chris Robbins ask what the government shutdown means for demographics. What will happen if the government defaults?

On this week's episode of Straight, No Chaser, we're talking about the 2012 Farm Bill.

Steph Larsen lives in Lyons, Nebraska, where she works full time for the Center for Rural Affairs, a non-profit that seeks to engage farmers in advocating for the policies that will strengthen the future of their rural communities.