Stories by WTTW News

Housing sales took a major tumble in July, sending shock waves nationwide over a possible double dip recession. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what the surprising downturn means for homeowners and real estate investors.

The Chicago area has the worst heroin problem in the nation, according to a study tracking heroin-related visits to emergency rooms. The new head of the Chicago Drug Enforcement Administration tells us what law enforcement is doing about it. Watch part one of Chicago Tonight's 2009 story on the heroin crisis in the suburbs Watch part two

A gruesome photo leads Jay Shefsky on a quest to understand a century-old murder.

One of our viewers remembers visiting this bronze elk as a child in southwest Chicago; he called it Bambi. Learn the real story behind the monument in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier tells us how to tend to a garden in late summer, and take it from August..to autumn.

The weak economy is creating yet another economic concern: deflation. Chicago Sun-Times business columnist Terry Savage discusses the deflation issue and suggests some ways to protect yourself.

Eddie Arruza talks with Alderman Scott Waguespack about his possible aspirations for Mayor.

A displaced alligator was captured today in the north branch of the Chicago River. We talk with a reptile wrangler to find out how the gator got there, and where it's going. Chicago Herpetological Society

Some Chicago environmentalists want to turn down the external lights at night so that we can see something we haven't seen in years -- the stars. We show you how they say it can happen.

A former JetBlue flight attendant caused quite a stir when he quit his job over the airplane's public address system, deployed the emergency chute, and used it to make a dramatic exit. We look at what makes some people snap.

Fall is in the air! Check, Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh is here with some fall beer recommendations perfect for getting cozy with friends.

We haven't heard the last of Rod Blagojevich. Eddie Arruza and his panel of reporters give their take on the former Governor's media blitz. Also, a look at other poltical stories: Governor Quinn's top aide quits due to an ethics controversy, and some rumblings at City Hall.

Federal regulators made the decision to seize the financially strapped Shorebank. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss how the bank's mission of community outreach will continue.

Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns discusses his latest work, The Tenth Inning (coming to WTTW in late September), which takes a swing at baseball's steroid era.

Should Rod Blagojevich be re-tried? You weighed in, and we read some of our viewer mail. Additional link mentioned on tonight's show: "Illinois Financial State of the State"--Institute for Truth in Accounting

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

Robert Blagojevich and his attorneys join us live in our studio to reflect on the verdict and what's next in his possible retrial.

The Blagojevich trial has been the summer's big news story, but all the while, the state's deep financial crisis has not gone away. We hear from the president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago on the increasing worries over state pension funds.

How has the Blagojevich trial impacted political campaigns for the fall elections? Ash-har Quraishi looks at the campaign strategies of candidates gearing up for November.

What has been the impact of Twitter and Facebook on the publishing industry? We talk to one of the authors of the so-called "Bible of the Publishing World, The Chicago Manual of Style.

We shine a spotlight on the jury who returned yesterday's surprising verdict, including Elizabeth Brackett's in-depth look at the life of jury foreman James Matsumoto. Then, Matsumoto and fellow juror Ralph Schindler join us live to discuss what took place during deliberations.

The former Governor's lawyer explains the defense team's upcoming strategy.

The Blagojevich trial, take two. Carol Marin and her panel explore the next steps in the move to retry the former Governor. What will it cost the taxpayers?

A panel of journalists discuss the impact the Blagojevich verdict might have on the November elections and more.

The verdict is in. The jury is hung on all but one count. After a trial that lasted more than 6 weeks and 14 days of jury deliberations, ex-governor Rod Blagojevich is found guilty of just one of the 24 counts against him. Elizabeth Brackett and Carol Marin walk us through all of the action on this historic day.

Blagojevich's lead attorney Sam Adam, Jr. reacts to today's verdict.