Stories by WTTW News

Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh introduces us to some favorite wine websites you should be visiting. Alpana Singh's Favorite Wine Websites:

The beginning of closing arguments brought out a crowd -- including the courtroom debut of Blagojevich daughters Amy and Annie. Elizabeth Brackett fills us in on the details.

How effective were closing arguments, and where will the trial go from here? Carol Marin and her panel take a look.

30 years after one of the worst genocides in history, a war crimes tribunal hands down its first verdict. Ash-har Quraishi will be here with the story of Chicago's remarkable connections to the killing fields of Cambodia. More on the story

Can production of the Ford Explorer in Chicago and the creation of 1,200 jobs bring Chicago's unemployment rate under 10 percent? Kris Kridel joins us to talk about Ford's announcement and other business headlines.

Legendary jazz disc jockey Dick Buckley died last week. We hear what Buckley had to say about his life and career in a classic WTTW documentary from 1989.

On tonight's edition: Rod Blagojevich's defense team rests without putting one witness on the stand, including the former Governor himself; another Chicago police officer is killed -- the third in two months -- as he was washing a new car outside his Park Manor home; despite a promise of more police and no new taxes, Mayor Daley's popularity falls to a new low in a Chicago Tribune poll; the city digs deep into its financial reserves, leaving just $180 million from the controversial billion dollar parking meter lease deal; and Chicago-area construction resumes as the labor strike is settled.

We head north to Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. One night each month, it entices illegal street racers to the track to race legally.

Looking to avoid summer traffic, closed roads and high gas prices? Carless in Chicago author Jason Rothstein offers tips for navigating the city without a car. Read the Carless in Chicago blog

Why is an empty building in Lincoln Park engraved with the word "Perfection?" Geoffrey Baer reveals the rather morbid answer in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey. Yerkes Observatory Lincoln Park Boat Club Row4Row--Lincoln Park Boat Club is a sponsor for this breast cancer awareness project

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Closing arguments are expected to take just one day at the Blagojevich trial. We have the latest from federal court.

In a controversial move a year and half ago, the City of Chicago leased its parking meters for more than $1 billion. The windfall was supposed to be a long-term asset, but it's now being reported that the money is almost gone. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what this means for the city's finances.

It's official, Rod Blagojevich will not take the stand to testify in his own defense. Rod Blagojevich's defense team rested its case today after calling no witnesses. Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday. Why did the ex-governor refrain from testifying? We hear from lawyers, journalists and trial consultants about this and all the latest developments from federal court. Read our Blagojevich Blog More Video

For months, Rod Blagojevich and his lawyers have been promising that the ex-Governor will take the stand to testify on his own behalf. But now there are reports that Blagojevich will not testify, and the defense may rest without calling any witnesses. Eddie Arruza talks with a panel of lawyers and journalists, including our own Elizabeth Brackett, about the latest developments.

Your social media presence -- on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Linked-In and the like -- tell a lot about you. Those embarassing pictures you posted (or your friends posted of you) could cost you dearly. We learn ways to clean up your online persona.

We speak with the author of a new biography that tells the courageous story of Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. Curveball Negro League data on Toni Stone

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.

The defense began its case in the corruption trial of ex-governor Rod Blagojevich. Elizabeth Brackett has a full report from federal court.

Another Chicago police officer gunned down -- this time in broad daylight. Carol Marin and her panel look at Chicago's deadly violence and the new gun law. What is the solution to gun violence in Chicago? Post your thoughts on our discussion board

Illinois-based company Motorola struck a major deal to sell a sizable portion of its business. Kris Kridel joins us to talk about the deal Motorola hopes will improve its profit share, and other business headlines.

With more than 1 million iPads already sold, what does this mean for the magazine industry? We talk with a panel of experts to discuss the new digital magazine era, and whether we all will be reading periodicals on a tablet sooner than we think. Zinio

He may look right at home in the jungle, but Tarzan is really from Oak Park, and the man who played him in the movies went to Lane Tech. Geoffrey Baer looks at what's born and made in Chicago. Watch part one of "Made in Chicago"

On tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: The prosecution wraps up its case against Rod Blagojevich early -- the secretly recorded tapes are titillating, but are they strong enough to convict? Campaign advertising is heating up with tough ads, including one portraying Bill Brady as anti-woman and another asking if you'd trust Alexi Giannoulias with your money. Hugh Hefner is trying to take Chicago's iconic Playboy private as other suitors are in hot pursuit.

Does the new iPhone4 have a major technical flaw? Apple CEO Steve Jobs has called a press conference tomorrow to address the issue. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at what Jobs might say that could be a game changer in the competitive smartphone industry. DVICE.com Appolicious.com Bendable Media

An apple a day keeps the doctor away -- we've all heard this childhood saying, but Americans sure seem to enjoy having their doctors around. The author of a new book is here to talk about our infatuation with medical care. Read The Treatment Trap blog