Arts & Entertainment

Curb Your Enthusiasm Star Susie Essman

She plays the foul-mouthed wife of Larry David's manager on HBO's hit comedy. We talk with Susie Essman about her now-iconic role and her new book, What Would Susie Say?

• Information about Susie Essman's Zanies performances

Arts & Entertainment

Irving Penn

The Art Institute marks the passing of legendary photographer Irving Penn with an exhibition of his work. We take a look.

Business

Jim Warren Named Chicago Reader's Publisher

Chicago's free weekly newspaper The Chicago Reader has a new publisher: Jim Warren. He is a former managing editor at the Chicago Tribune and a former reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. He joins us to talk about his vision for the paper.

Arts & Entertainment

Dress Code Controversy

Why were six African-American students turned away from a popular Division Street bar? Was it discrimination? We take a look at the brewing controversy.

Live Music Wednesday

Live Music Wednesday: Sondra Radvanovsky

A singer with Chicago roots is delighting audiences at Lyric Opera in its production of Ernani. Sondra Radvanovsky is here to perform and tell us about her dramatic season.

Business

Children and Finances

Families might be forced to scale it back again this holiday season because of the economy. We talk to a local financial guru about how to shop for your kids on a tight budget.

• Money Savvy Generation

Arts & Entertainment

Canoe Guru

Ralph Frese has built hundreds of canoes by hand, including giant ones to cross Lake Michigan. He's a fourth generation blacksmith. He's also an activist, naturalist, collector and businessman, and he takes us to his favorite local spot for autumn canoeing.

• Chicagoland Canoe Base

Politics

Fred Hampton

For years, Black Panther Fred Hampton's death was cloaked in mystery. But an attorney who once represented Hampton will be here to discuss his new book about the slain Chicago civil rights activist.

Politics

CTA President Richard Rodriguez

Will it soon cost six dollars for a round-trip ride on the CTA? Today CTA President Richard Rodriguez presented the transit agency's 2010 budget to the Cook County Board. We talk to him about the challenges mass transit is facing in Chicago.

Politics

Abortion Notification Law

Illinois's parental notice abortion law is on hold. Rich Samuels brings us the latest on a controversial Cook County Circuit Court ruling handed down late this afternoon.