CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and chief business correspondent Ali Velshi will co-host this informative hour by interacting with virtual town halls from across the country along with CNN’s Money Team and a panel of financial experts. The special hour, which will also include viewer interaction via Facebook and CNN’s website and iReport, will air on Thursday, May 14th at 8pm ET on CNN.

Cooper, Velshi and guests will discuss the reality of the current recession to help Americans better understand how we got here, and what is being done about it. Other topics explored will be jobs and unemployment in America and the latest on the housing market and interest rates. The panel includes: David Gergen, CNN senior political analyst; CNN’s Christine Romans, Co-Host, Your $$$$$; Katie Benner, writer/reporter, Fortune; Stephen Leeb, economist, Leeb Capital Management; Ryan Mack, financial advisor, and Donna Rosato, senior writer, MONEY magazine. The special will re-air Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, at 8pm ET on CNN.

By Anna Fugazzi