A federally funded joke machine? We talk with the Northwestern professor behind the controversy that's garnered national attention.

With Labor Day right around the corner, unemployment numbers are still discouraging. We sit down with the new President of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

A merger between Chicago's hometown United Airlines and Continental tops today's business news. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with details on the deal and other business headlines.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: a bombshell in the Blagojevich case, as prosecutors drop charges against Robert Blagojevich; in Rod Blagojevich's national media whirlwind tour, the former Governor vows to put on a bevy of witnesses during his second trial; Chicago housing sales took a major tumble in July, sparking fears of a double-dip recession; and Chicago Public Schools fail to obtain much-needed federal funding. And in sports, the White Sox bullpen struggles as the Cubs say so long to Sweet Lou Piniella. Guests:

Housing sales took a major tumble in July, sending shock waves nationwide over a possible double dip recession. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what the surprising downturn means for homeowners and real estate investors.

The weak economy is creating yet another economic concern: deflation. Chicago Sun-Times business columnist Terry Savage discusses the deflation issue and suggests some ways to protect yourself.

A former JetBlue flight attendant caused quite a stir when he quit his job over the airplane's public address system, deployed the emergency chute, and used it to make a dramatic exit. We look at what makes some people snap.

Federal regulators made the decision to seize the financially strapped Shorebank. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss how the bank's mission of community outreach will continue.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

The Blagojevich trial has been the summer's big news story, but all the while, the state's deep financial crisis has not gone away. We hear from the president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago on the increasing worries over state pension funds.

Last year, the apparel company famously known for outfitting Barack Obama on election night was going through bankruptcy and facing liquidation. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss how Hartmarx is doing one year later.

The modern-day equivalent of the World's Fair is in Shanghai this year. NPR's Edward Lifson was there, but the United States almost wasn't. Lifson is back in Chicago to tell us what he saw. Expo 2010 China

On tonight's edition of The Week in Review with Joel Weisman: The Blagojevich jury has agreed on only two of 24 counts, is deadlocked on 11 counts, and the jurors reveal they have not even discussed the 11 counts of wire fraud. We remember political powerhouse Dan Rostenkowski, who succumbed to lung cancer this week. Amid deadly violence, Chicago's year-round schools begin. Meanwhile, the new federal jobs bill heads off some teacher layoffs here. Cook County loses nearly $3 million for job-training by failing to spend the federal funds.

Was Sam Zell misled during the Tribune Company buyout deal? WBBM's Kris Kridel joins us to explain what a bankruptcy court examiner found while combing through the details of the deal.

Still no decision from the jurors in the Blagojevich trial. But is the media coverage too much? Mayor Daley delivers his State of City address. In it, he vows to give back $20,000 in his salary. Was the unofficial launch of his re-election campaign? And in sports, can the Blackhawks repeat without their star goalie? And was Ozzie Guillen's tirade against Major League Baseball's treatment of Latino players racist?

The City of Chicago's projected 2011 budget contains the biggest shortfall ever, but Mayor Daley is already calling some fixes off-limits. So how will Chicago balance its budget?