The Week in Review

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, President Obama releases his birth certificate, then makes a whirlwind trip to Chicago to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Rod Blagojevich's retrial jury is shaping up, minus the one so-called "Oprah juror." Joking with reporters, the former governor called her tickets to one of the Queen of Talk's last shows, "f***ing golden." Rahm Emanuel says everyone must sacrifice in tough times -- including arts organizations. And in sports, the Bulls move on while the Blackhawks end their playoff comeback in an overtime heartbreaker.

Guests:

• Abdon Pallasch, Chicago Sun-Times
• Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune
• Mick Dumke, Chicago Reader
• Gail Fischer, Comcast Sportsnet Chicago

More on the Story:

• More on the Story: Week in Review
• Weekend Events Around Town 4/29 -- 5/1

Ask Geoffrey

Ask Geoffrey: Civil War

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War this month, Geoffrey Baer looks back on what he's discovered about Chicago's Civil War history in a special edition of Ask Geoffrey.

• More on the Story: Chicago's Civil War graves
• Civil War in Encyclopedia of Chicago
• Camp Douglas
• Camp Kane in St. Charles

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections: Art Chicago

The international art world comes to Chicago for the Artropolis exhibition at the Merchandise Mart. We find out what's new this year at this annual Chicago tradition.

• More on the Story: What local galleries are bringing to the show
• Art Chicago's website

Science & Nature

Dooring

A car door is a dangerous and unexpected obstacle that is dreaded by bicyclists around the world. We tell you how the state of Illinois is tracking bike crashes in an effort to make the streets safer for two-wheeled travelers.

• Should drivers be more mindful of bikers?
• Active Transport Alliance
• What to do if you get doored
• Steven Vance's blog
• YouTube clip

Arts & Entertainment

Protest for Father Pfleger

The fiery pastor of St. Sabina Church is out and his parishioners went to the archbishop's residence to make their displeasure known. But Cardinal George headed to Rome today for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at both controversial issues.

• More on the Story: More on Pfleger protest
• Join the discussion
• Father Pfleger's transcripts from Smiley & West radio show
• Robert McClory's book on Pfleger

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Picking Final Jurors

Judge James Zagel told lawyers Thursday morning that they would have until Monday to request the removal of certain jurors. Opening statements are expected to start Monday afternoon. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Science & Nature

Lurie Garden

The Lurie Garden is in full glory at Millennium Park. We meet the gifted gardeners who've helped this urban oasis grow up healthy and green.

• The Lurie Garden website

Arts & Entertainment

Queen of the Sun

They are the ultimate pollinizers; without them there would be no agriculture. But over the past five years, the bees in North America and Europe have been disappearing like never before. So what's going on? We speak with the director of a new documentary examining this phenomenon.

• More on the Story: An interview with an Illinois beekeeper
• For more on the film
• More on Director and Producer Taggart Siegel
• A list of showings at the Music Box Theatre
• What you can do to help the bees

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Slow Blagojevich Jury Selection

Slow jury selection at the Blagojevich retrial could push opening statements until next week. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• More on the Story: A blog from the jury foreman at the first trial

Politics

Medicare Reform Proposal

The GOP proposal to reform Medicare has led to voter backlash at some town hall meetings. Eddie Arruza speaks to two congressmen about the heated debate over that, the budget and the president's birth certificate.

• NPR article on Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare plan
• In what ways do you believe Congress should tackle the rising national debt?