As the government shutdown stretches into Day 21, furloughed workers are missing their first paychecks. But, are we any closer to compromise?

Also, with Mayor Walsh's support, could an outdated education state funding formula finally be overhauled?

Plus, there are only 16 female firefighters at the Boston Fire Department, on a force of 15 hundred. That's from a new city-commissioned report that also identifies a “male-dominated” culture at the Department, that's led to a push for more direct action to increase the number of women on the force.

We break it down on our Week In Review columnists.

Joe Battenfeld, political columnist at the Boston Herald and host of "Battenfeld" on Boston Herald Radio. He tweets @joebattenfeld.

Marie St. Fleur,  former Massachusetts State Representative for the Fifth Suffolk district and principal at St. Fleur Communications. She tweets @vote1965.