Blagojevich Trial 2011

Law Panel on Blagojevich

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Bertocchi and Defense Attorney Joseph Lopez join us to discuss the former governor's testimony and what it can do for his case.

• Will Blagojevich's testimony help or hurt him?

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Blagojevich Testifies

Blagojevich took the stand today in his retrial, telling stories from his childhood through to adulthood. He reminded jurors, "I used to be your governor, and I'm here to tell the truth." Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Arts & Entertainment

Tavis Smiley

Author, TV and radio personality Tavis Smiley discusses his new book, how past mistakes have helped him succeed, and much more.

• More on the Story: Excerpt from the book
• More on the book, Fail Up
• Tavis Talks website

Scientific Chicago

Scientific Chicago: A Nose for Bacteria

A GPS that gets you there by the most fuel efficient route, a mass extinction of fish that paved the way for human evolution and a nose that can smell bacterial infections are just three of the science stories we're keeping an eye on in tonight's installment of Scientific Chicago.

• More on the Story: Read an interview with the scientist who developed the nose
• Watch more Scientific Chicago segments
• More on the mass fish extinction
• The Fermilab MINERvA experiment
• Endeavor experiment
• More on smelling bacterial infections

Science & Nature

Chicago River Cleanup

The EPA this month ordered state officials to make the Chicago River clean enough for swimming. Paris Schutz has more on the decision and why many aren't happy about the river's new direction.

• More on the Story: Read more on the plan
• Would you want to swim in the Chicago River?
• The EPA Directive
• The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's position
• Friends of the River

Politics

Praise for Mumbai Terrorists

Convicted terrorist David Headley testified today that Tahawwur Rana praised the gunmen from the attacks in Mumbai. Headley said Rana wanted the gunmen to receive Pakistan's highest posthumous military honor. Ash-har Quraishi has the latest on Rana's trial.

• Chicago Sun-Times article

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Rahm Takes the Stand

The defense of Rod Blagojevich kicks off with a bang of high-profile witnesses. But the action doesn't last very long. What and who can we expect next? Elizabeth Brackett takes us through the possibilities.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Arts & Entertainment

Oprah Vault: Part 2

From humble beginnings, she eventually became one of the most famous -- and richest -- women in the world. We revisit Oprah Winfrey's August 1984 appearance on Chicago Tonight when she took on critics who were calling her show "sensationalist" and more.

• Oprah's website

Artbeat Chicago

Sculptor Alfonso Iannelli | Terra Foundation Artbeat Special

He made sculptures with Frank Lloyd Wright, and for 50 years worked on Chicago area landmarks that still showcase his creativity. Find out about the long forgotten artist Alfonso Iannelli and his efforts to make art for everyone on today's Artbeat.

• More on the Story: A slideshow of Iannelli's sketches
• Iannelli and Frank Lloyd Wright dispute
• Kalo Foundation
• ArchiTech Gallery

Politics

The "Stealth Tax"

Gov. Quinn's plan to withhold money from local governments has been dubbed the "stealth tax." We talk to a number of Chicagoland mayors about the proposed Springfield legislation and how it could impact you.

• More on the Story: Background on the plan
• Should the state continue to give income tax revenue to local governments?