The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in a 5-4 ruling. The 1996 law blocked federal recognition of same-sex marriages. In a separate case, the court ruled that it could not take up a challenge to Proposition 8, the California law banning gay marriage. Read the full opinions.

Heavy rains swept through the Chicago area Wednesday morning challenging commuters and the engineers at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Read an article.

This Friday, the city unveils a new bike share program called Divvy. We talk with Gabe Klein, commissioner for the Department of Transportation, about what to expect. View a map and learn more about the program.

While NASA astronauts were lauded as American heroes, it was up to their wives to present the facade of a perfect family life. In her new book, The Astronaut Wives Club, author Lily Koppel tells the story of the dozens of women who tried to maintain normalcy as the nation scrutinized their every move. Read an article and an excerpt.

Computer scientists are partnering with physicians to take next-generation virtual reality to the extreme. We revisit Ash-har Quraishi's exploration inside the CAVE2 in tonight's edition of Scientific Chicago. Read an article and view a slideshow.

For the second time in three years, the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions. They beat the Bruins in dramatic fashion late in the third period last night in Boston. We recap the wild series clincher and the historic Hawks season.

What was behind the departure of Metra's former executive, Alex Clifford? Paris Schutz has new details. Read the separation agreement and RTA's statement.

Metra CEO Alex Clifford may receive up to $700,000 for stepping down, according to reports. His resignation raises questions about how the Metra is run – and whether the agency is using public dollars responsibly.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is considered a landmark in civil rights legislation. The 5-4 ruling declared that the formula for preclearance is unconstitutional and unnecessary. Read the full opinion and reaction.

Janice Reiff has compiled essays about the city's emergence as a commerce hub in the book, Chicago Business and Industry: From Fur Trade to E-Commerce. Read an excerpt and view a slideshow.

Teenagers from the northwest side create a play about the foreclosure crisis and the various ways activists are fighting to keep people in their homes. We preview the Albany Park Theater Project’s I Will Kiss These Walls. Read an interview with a community leader who helped bring these stories to the stage and watch a web extra video.

Blues singer Bobby Bland died at age 83. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipient of a lifetime achievement Grammy Award, Bland had a memorable performance in WTTW studios back in 1977 on Soundstage with B.B. King. Watch the web extra video.

Gov. Pat Quinn set a July 9 deadline for a pension committee of lawmakers to come up with a compromise. We check in with two of the members to see what the likelihood of comprehensive reform is. See how House and Senate members voted on pension bills.

The Supreme Court punts a case on affirmative action in college admissions back down to the lower court. Read the decision.

Just as Waukegan Harbor’s decades-long cleanup project comes to an end, low water levels and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy keep the commercial harbor closed. Read an article.