Stories by WTTW News

There are some amazing new inventions coming out of Chicago area technology labs, and they could help get the economy back on track. We meet some local inventors who are dreaming up the products of the future.

One photographer calls the Calumet region of northwest Indiana a "bewilderingly complex" yet "visually striking 'American place.'" We talk to the man behind the new book The Calumet Region: An American Place. The Calumet Portfolio by Gary Cialdella

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich will be allowed to compete on Donald Trump's reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." A federal judge asked today that his legal team and prosecutors discuss the terms of his appearance. Elizabeth Brackett has the details of what he may and may not be allowed to say on the reality show.

Lawmakers are back in Springfield and there's already a lot to discuss. Carol Marin and her panel of Illinois lawmakers look ahead to what the public can expect from this legislative session.

A surprising rise in Illinois's unemployment rate in September tops the week's business headlines. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with the details on that plus the rest of the recent business news.

Since opening its doors in 1969, Misericordia has had only one director. We catch up with Sister Rosemary Connelly as she celebrates some professional milestones.

Some schools do major fundraising to make up for what they don't get from taxes. Eddie Arruza shows us how some parents and teachers transformed Nettelhorst School a few years ago. The transformation is now the subject of a new book. How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance

Jay Cutler's last gasp attempt falls short. Former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass joins us to recap last night's prime-time heartbreaking loss to the Falcons.

Phil Ponce shares some thoughts about our fascination with Balloon Boy.

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

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines; The CTA proposing $3 fares and service cuts; Mayor Daley urges lawmakers to repeal free senior transit rides; 90 African-American ministers endorse Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's re-election bid; downtown office vacancies at a 3-year high; Playboy hoping their new CEO can spark a revival; and the Bears getting ready for the Falcons. Guests:

Phil Ponce sits down with world-renowned paleontologist Paul Sereno to talk about a recently unearthed precursor to Tyrannosaurus rex, called Raptorex kriegsteini. Project Exploration -- Paul Sereno's science outreach organization

Mayor Daley is promising no new taxes or fees in the 2010 budget he unveils next week. But how is he going to close a more than half-billion dollar shortfall? Rich Samuels brings us the latest on the city budget.

A thousand college students from across the state came to Springfield to lobby lawmakers not to cut their student funding. They are just one of many groups that have a gripe with this year's budget. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at what kinds of options Illinois has to close the gap.

Some two-wheeled riders are racking up parking tickets they say they don't deserve. We show you why they say the new privatized parking meter system isn't working for them.

We preview Phil Ponce's "Friday Night Show" interview with world-renowned paleontologist Paul Sereno.

Grab your lawn chair and some good walking shoes. We are going on a "theatre-hike" at the Morton Arboretum.

Moviemakers love the world beneath the streets of Chicago. But Geoffrey Baer takes us to some subterranean spaces that even Hollywood hasn't discovered. We have the conclusion of his series "Under Chicago."

Madeleine Nusser of Time Out Chicago magazine joins us with recommendations for a film-filled weekend.

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail, including why Prevention magazine says microwave popcorn is one of the foods that should never cross your lips.

The Dow broke through the 10,000 mark today for the first time in a year. Is it a sign that the economy is rebounding? Eddie Arruza and his panelists look at where we are in terms of recovery.

Finding a job is never easy in a recession, especially when you've just gotten out of prison. We meet some ex-offenders who have managed to land on their feet with the help of two local organizations. Cleanslate Safer Foundation St. Leonard's Ministries

A startling new study by the Centers for Disease Control suggests autism is on the rise. We talk with two doctors to decipher what the data actually mean. CDC's Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet

We find out why some area residents are willing to break the law to keep chickens in their backyards.

Chicago Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss calls the world premiere of "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" at Victory Gardens Theater "big, brash and brilliantly written." She joins us with her review of that show, as well as reviews of two others.

He was a superstar in the '80s and '90s with hits like "Right Here Waiting," and "Hold on to the Nights." Chicagoan Richard Marx, with Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell, perform in our studio. "Emotional Remains" -- Richard Marx