Tonight on AC360: Courage in the wake of horror
In the 24 hours since two bombs ripped through the finish line area at the Boston Marathon, the scope of the devastation has come into focus, while it's still unclear who's behind the act of terrorism.
Anderson Cooper reports live from Boston at 8 and 10 p.m. ET on the frantic search for answers, the victims and their families and the witnesses who became heroes. First responders and regular people there to compete or watch the marathon ran toward the chaos to aid the wounded, risking their own safety.
More than 180 people were injured and three people died, including 8-year-old Martin Richard , 29-year-old Krystle Campbell and an unnamed Boston University graduate student.
At least 13 victims have had amputations. A trauma doctor at Brigham and Women's Hospital told CNN's Jason Carroll that the worst damage he's seen is the destruction to patients' legs.
Tonight on AC360: Town's first integrated prom
Teens going to prom across the country have a lot of choices to make about the quintessential high school experience – a date, outfit, transportation, flowers, photos. But in one rural Georgia town, white students have another decision to make: whether to attend the integrated prom or the white prom.
Having two separate proms for black and white students has been the norm in their community until now. For the first time ever, a group of kids in Wilcox County, Georgia, are making history in their tiny town.
They've organized a dance that invites everyone to attend, regardless of race. The teenagers who go to school together and play sports together can finally hit the dance floor together.
Tonight on AC360: Gun show hidden camera investigation
Is it easy to purchase a gun at a gun show without doing little more than paying for it? CNN went undercover at five gun shows in three states to find out.
While background checks are not mandatory for private sales, the seller is required to check the buyer's ID to verify the person is from that state.
The producer who visited Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia was able to walk away with several weapons without having to prove residency or give any personal information – but not in every interaction with a seller.
Tune in at 8 and 10 p.m. ET to see the investigation. Following the report, Anderson Cooper will ask National Rifle Association President David Keene why he opposes universal background checks that proponents say could prevent criminals from obtaining guns.
Tonight on AC360: Family of slain Colorado prisons chief
In an exclusive interview at 8 and 11 p.m. ET, Anderson Cooper talks with Tom Clements' wife and daughters. They share memories and speak about how their family is coping with their devastating loss.
Clements, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, was gunned down at his home on March 19. Clements' wife, Lisa, was in the house at the time.
Errors by law enforcement may have played a role in the crime. The suspect, Evan Ebel, was released from prison four years too soon because of a clerical mistake.
Behind the scenes: Anderson Cooper surprised by Murray's Santa song
Many of you had the same question about AC360's exclusive jailhouse interview with Michael Jackson's doctor: What was going through Anderson's mind when Dr. Conrad Murray started singing "The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot"?
Producer Jack Gray sat down with Anderson to relive the unforgettable live TV moment and ask him on your behalf.
Understand that it's not easy to surprise a globetrotting veteran journalist, but Anderson sure was, confirming it was the first time someone broke into song during an interview. Reflecting on the two-part segment, he says, "it took a very bizarre twist" when Murray switched from explaining to singing about his connection with Jackson.
Tonight on AC360: Free shotguns for AZ residents
Will more guns reduce violence and make dangerous communities safer? Former Tucson, Arizona, mayoral candidate Shaun McClusky says arming citizens is the answer. He wants to hand out free shotguns to residents living in three Tucson neighborhoods plagued with high crime.
The national campaign that started in Houston, Texas, is meant to empower, but the concept is controversial. Hear from McClusky tonight, and a local councilman who's opposed to the initiative.
The plan includes advertising which areas are participating in the program, while keeping the specific homes with shotguns confidential. The intention is to keep criminals guessing which families are protecting themselves with firearms.
The Armed Citizen Project will give shotguns to residents who simply ask for them, provided those interested pass background checks and complete a day of training. The non-profit purchases guns with donations - McClusky says he has raised about $12,000 so far.
VOTE: Who took Nancy's handcuff necklace?
The desperate search for Nancy Grace's prized handcuff necklace is still on. The one she was wearing recently during an appearance on AC360° to discuss the Jodi Arias trial. Anderson openly admired the statement piece along with the rest of the panel, Mark Geragos and Jeffrey Toobin. Now, it's gone without a trace. Suspicious, right?
Nancy is not ruling out anyone at CNN as a potential culprit. Sure, Anderson has three jobs, but does he have an alibi for the time the jewelry went MIA? Jeff claims on Twitter he didn't take it, but in the same tweet he plants the seed for a future memory loss defense (nice try). And then there's Mark. He and Nancy have had their differences, traded barbs, and talked over each other on air, but the necklace isn't really his style. Or is it?
Behind the scenes: Jack Gray and Anderson Cooper on 'Pigeon in a Crosswalk'
You may know AC360° producer Jack Gray from his legendary blog, Twitter musings, or as the guy who crafted the "No Nudity" sign to urgently remind Kathy Griffin about her boundaries on New Year's Eve, but there's so much more to his witty and sardonic views on life.
Anderson Cooper took your questions, added a few, and invited Jack into his office to talk about his new book, "Pigeon In A Crosswalk: Tales of Anxiety and Accidental Glamour."
Jack reveals where he wrote his best material (sorry, Anderson), why he mocks his boss in the book, and the rejected book title that has a female basketball coach (somewhere out there) indebted to him forever. And Anderson recounts that time he was mistaken for another white-haired television host.
'Guns under fire' town hall
Guests with a wide range of opinions were invited to share their perspectives when Anderson Cooper convened a town hall in Washington to discuss the current and future state of gun laws in America.
Judging by the audience reaction at George Washington University, the conversation was impassioned but respectful. Although there were disagreements, everyone benefitted from hearing both sides and getting to the crux of the issues.
The topics included personal safety, mental health, the culture of violence, politics, background checks, banning certain types of guns, second amendment rights, and much more. The program was enriched by the activists and experts, and also by people who told their personal stories.
The next day Anderson, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Jeffrey Toobin and producer Jack Gray met again via Google+ Hangout to answer your questions and address the points you made on social media.
If you missed the program or the Hangout, find video highlights below. Let us know your thoughts on the gun debate in a comment or by tweeting @AC360.
Hangout with Anderson, Sanjay, Jeff, and Jack
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWBML9GobhQ&w=420&h=315%5D
Welcome to a live Google+ Hangout with Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Jeffrey Toobin and AC360 producer Jack Gray!
With your help, they're continuing the conversation they started last night with many others in the "Guns under fire" town hall. What questions did the program raise for you personally about gun violence in America? Leave a comment here or on the AC360 Google+ page, or on Twitter with the hashtag #gundebate360.
We'll be live from 12-12:15 p.m. ET.
