Arts & Entertainment

Harvey Murders

Two pee wee football coaches were shot and killed yesterday in Harvey. We take a look at the recent concerns surrounding the city's homicides and what's being done about them.

• Article on the murders

Education

Chicago Public Schools

Different factions in the education community are abuzz over the hiring of Jean-Claude Brizard to lead the Chicago Public Schools system. We examine his record in Rochester, New York and gauge reaction with our panel here in Chicago.

• More on the Story: More on Brizard

Education

Update from Rochester

Jean-Claude Brizard was named as the new CEO of Chicago Public Schools. We speak with Tiffany Lankes, the Education Reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Lankes covered Brizard's career as the school superintendent in Rochester. She tells us what to expect out of our new CPS CEO.

• Is Jean-Claude Brizard a good candidate to run CPS?
• Lankes' most recent article on Brizard

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Blagojevich Update

Rod Blagojevich was in court today as prospective jurors were questioned. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page
• More on the Story: Article on today's jury selection

Arts & Entertainment

Pan Am Cyclist

We meet a Chicago man who just returned from a two-year bike ride, from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina, with more than 17,500 miles of stories.

• More on the Story: Video that Matt Kelly took while on his trip
• Kelly's blog from the trip

Arts & Entertainment

Chicago Bulls

They are winning. But some players -- and fans -- say the Bulls need to step up their game if they want to make a run at an NBA championship. We assess the state of the Bulls as they get set for game three of their opening round playoff series.

• Do you think the Bulls will win the NBA Championship?
• The latest in Bulls news
• More on Melissa Isaacson

Arts & Entertainment

Deval Patrick

The current governor of Massachusetts was born in Chicago. Deval Patrick's background as a poor South Sider didn't point to a successful career in business and politics. Eddie Arruza talks to Gov. Patrick about his new memoir and what he calls an "improbable life."

• More on Patrick's book

Health

Bionic Prosthetics

Researchers at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago published new findings today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Ash-har Quraishi reports on the pioneering work aimed at neural control of prosthetic limbs for lower-limb amputees.

• More on the Story: More on the research and a photo gallery
• Research findings
• Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Arts & Entertainment

Caroline Kennedy

She's an author, editor, attorney, and philanthropist and a member of American royalty. Caroline Kennedy is here to talk about her new book of poems and her life in the public eye.

• More on the Story: Two poems from the book
• More on the book

Ask Alpana

Ask Alpana

Can you hear the bells ringing? Wedding season is upon us. So raise your glass! "Check Please" Host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh is here with advice for wedding gifting and toasting.

• Ask Alpana your own questions
• More on Alpana's recommendations

Wedding Wine and Gift Registries

• Bottle Notes: Allows you to create a registry of wines that you would like.
• Food Registry: Register for restaurant gift cards.
• My Registry: Aggregate registry of many stores. Allows you to register for everything from wine refrigerators to glassware.

Wedding Shower Cocktail
Aperol Spritz Recipe

• 1 ½ oz of Aperol
• 3 oz white wine: Pinot Grigio or Prosecco
• Club soda
• Orange

Fill wine glass with ice.  Add 1 ½ oz of Aperol and 3 oz light white wine. Finish with a splash of club soda and garnish with an orange segment.

Alpana's Sparkling Wine Recommendations - Alternatives to Champagne  
- Gruet Brut: "For the money this is one of the best sparkling wines out there."
- Segura Viudas Aria Brut: "This is a cava wine which is made in a similar fashion to Champagne. It's a good value when you're looking for a less pricy alternative."

Alpana's Recommendation for toasting Prince William and Kate Middleton
Pimm's Cup Cocktail Recipe

• 2 oz Pimm's No. 1
• Clear Soda - 7UP, ginger ale, lemon-lime 
• Lemon
• Cucumber

Pour the Pimm's and soda into a chilled highball glass or metal cup over ice. Squeeze a slice of lemon and drop it into the glass. Then stir and garnish with a cucumber slice.

"Pimm's No. 1 was created in the mid-18th century by English oyster bar owner James Pimm. The recipe is still a secret; supposedly only six people know exactly how to make it."

Alpana's Recommendation for an Easter Brunch Cocktail

• Rossinni: Combine Prosecco and strawberry puree
• Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir: "If you're enjoying lamb, I would recommend Pinot Noir which is a classic pairing and will also go well with lighter brunch fare. This wine is light bodied with bright black cherry notes."