Business

Library Cuts

Two weeks after the city of Chicago laid off more than 400 workers, the effects are being seen and felt at libraries around town. The library system took the brunt of the cuts with the loss of 120 employees. Eddie Arruza tells us just how our libraries have been impacted.

Politics

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias

Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is making a bid for his friend Barack Obama's former Senate seat. What does he have to offer the voters of Illinois? We ask him this question and more when he joins us in the studio.

• Illinois State Treasurer Web site
• Giannoulias' U.S. Senate campaign

Health

News Analysis with Carol Marin

Some of the nation's health care experts say reform might be futile without combating the nation's obesity epidemic. Carol Marin and her panel discuss new efforts to get obesity in check.

Politics

Walmart in Chicago

The efforts to bring a second Walmart to Chicago were tabled by the City Council today. Rich Samuels tells us if -- or when -- we can expect the store to become a reality.

Arts & Entertainment

Female Bloggers

A unique type of conference is coming to Chicago, and it is all about women and the Internet. Christian Farr takes us inside the BlogHer conference, and lets us know why these women bloggers are coming together.

• WEB EXCLUSIVE: Extended interview with blogger Kristen Chase
• WEB EXCLUSIVE: Extended interview with BlogHer co-founder Jory des Jardins
• BlogHer
• Cool Mom Picks blog
• Motherhood Uncensored blog

Arts & Entertainment

The Girls' Guide to Rocking

Want to lead a band like Sheryl Crow? We'll talk with the local author of the book The Girls' Guide to Rocking.

• Girls' Guide to Rocking

Arts & Entertainment

Hidden Chicago

No matter how well you think you know this city, there are always a few surprises around the corner. Geoffrey Baer finds some Chicago neighborhoods that are so hidden, they take even him by surprise.

• Architecture critic Lee Bey
• Alta Vista terrace
• Auburn Park
• Historic Bridgeport
• Marktown Historic District in East Chicago, Indiana
• Old Edgebrook
• Racine Bluffs, Glencoe
• U.S. Gypsum's Research Village in Palatine
• Walter Burley Griffin Place

Science & Nature

The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather

The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather
What's up with the weather? August is almost here and it feels as if we've barely had summer. We talk to the author of the new book, The AMS Weather Book:The Ultimate Guide to America's Weather, about what is causing this unusually cool weather pattern.

• Sample pages and additional information

Business

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett

There has been a lot more news lately about the stock market going up. However, reports show that consumer confidence is lagging. What does it all mean for the bigger picture of the health of the economy? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look.

Arts & Entertainment

Brian Dugan Set to Plead Guilty

Brian Dugan is expected to plead guilty to the 1983 murder of Jeanine Nicarico in Naperville. Could this notorious case finally be coming to an end? Rich Samuels fills us in.