In his final State of the Union address Tuesday, President Obama talked about what he called “our unique strengths as a nation”: Qualities like optimism, a spirit of discovery, and diversity. Those qualities, he said, have allowed America to do big things on his watch: Reform health care, better take care of veterans, and the right to marry whomever you love. We take a look at that issue closer to home — in Indiana, where the debate over religious freedom and LGBT rights featured prominently in Republican Governor Mike Pence’s State of the State address last night. And: With two weeks to go before he gives his own state of the state address, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner talks to WBEZ about the budget stalemate, CPS, and more. Plus: the history of a legendary black newspaper, the Chicago Defender. We’ll talk with the author. And a musical homage to the late Chicago soul and gospel artist Otis Clay.