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A new deputy editor joined Civil Beat this week. Pulitzer Prize-winner Patti Epler is back in Honolulu — and boy did she arrive at an interesting time. We had a mayor and top rail officials try to go “deep undercover” in Washington, D.C. and get caught by our Adrienne LaFrance, and much, much more. Here are 10 stories from this week you wouldn’t have found anywhere but Civil Beat.

• Carlisle: Homelessness Worse than Rat Infestation
• Hawaii Ed Board Asks Tough Questions
• Hawaii Problems Won’t be Fixed by Patent Reform
• Honolulu Mayor Ducks Undercover
• FACT CHECK — Rail Proponents: Honolulu 2nd-Most Congested City in U.S.
• 2 Dozen DVD Gifts to Hawaii Lawmakers Unaccounted For
• Civil Beat Catches Rail Leaders Trying to Go ‘Deep Undercover’ in Washington
• Did City Mislead Public About Rail’s Impact on Congestion?
• Live Blog: Hawaii Labor Board Hears Teachers’ Complaints Against State
• No Charity At the Ledge? You Better Believe It.

Also, there are a number of pieces on the site today about 9/11. I encourage you to check out:

• Personal Reflections on 9/11
• Memories: Old T-Shirts, NPR And 9/11
• Something is Missing — A Small Lesson from 9/11
• Politics, Tourism and Hawaii’s Destiny