Stories by WTTW News

We kick off a new series on the economy we are calling: "The Bottom Line." For our first installment, we take a look at the stimulus package being hotly debated in the U.S. Senate and examine how it may or may not resuscitate the ailing economy.

Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss calls the Goodman Theatre's Desire Under the Elms "blistering and powerful." She sits down with the star Brian Dennehy and director Robert Falls.

Longtime radio personality Ed Schwartz died today. We go into our vault for a vintage interview with the broadcaster who came to be known as "Chicago Ed."

American baritone Mark Delavan talks about his current roles at Lyric Opera and performs live in our studio.

The writings of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells are published in a new book, "Ida In Her Own Words: The Timeless Writings of Ida B. Wells from 1893." Michelle Duster, author and great-granddaughter of journalist and social activist Ida B. Wells joins us. Ida B. Wells Products

As Illinois turns the page on the Rod Blagojevich era, lawmakers are left facing an alarming budget crisis. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias to talk about the challenging financial times ahead.

Former Senator Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination to President Obama's cabinet today. He is just the latest politician tripped up by a failure to pay federal taxes. We talk with a tax attorney and political analyst about money-induced madness in Washington, D.C.

Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are just a few of the growing number of social networking sites popping up all over the Internet. What is their purpose and why have they grown in popularity so quickly? Christian Farr sits down with two technology experts to probe this trend.

Just when you thought that newspapers were dying, a new publication hit the streets last week. It is a newspaper with an unexpected 21st Century twist. We take you inside "The Printed Blog."

Still steaming over what you believe was an undeserved parking ticket? Chicago's self-proclaimed "Parking Ticket Geek" tells us how to beat those fines.

What does Chicago stand to gain from the economic stimulus package? Elizabeth Brackett spoke with Rep. Mark Kirk, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and State Sen. Matt Murphy about the stimulus plan being debated in Congress.

Carol Marin sits down with the state's newly sworn-in governor, who will discuss his plans and priorities for the weeks and months to come.

Rod Blagojevich has been ousted from office, but the state's fiscal and funding problems remain. We hear from State Rep. Julie Hamos and State Sen. Kirk Dillard about what is next for Springfield.

Will Chicago's transit woes be helped by the stimulus plan winding through Washington? Kris Kridel of WBBM's Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" discusses the possibilities and the price.

Last night's dramatic contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals may have upstaged all the commercials. We talk with two advertising experts about how the economy may have affected what you watched in between all the gridiron action.

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

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich thrown out of office; Governor Pat Quinn pledges to "fumigate state government" of corruption; President Obama's stimulus plan passed by the House of Representatives, what does it mean to Chicago?; Mayor Daley names Ron Huberman Chicago's new Public Schools chief; and Chicago-area home prices continue to plummet. Guests:

Pulitzer-Prize winning author John Updike died Tuesday. We take a look back at John Callaway's 2006 Friday Night interview with the literary giant.

Carol Marin was in Springfield today and joins us live with the latest breaking news as the Illinois State Senate wraps up its impeachment trial.

Does a new governor automatically mean an end to gridlock in state government? Eddie Arruza and members of the Illinois House of Representatives weigh in on today's historic events and what happens from here.

Blagojevich ended his boycott of the Senate's impeachment trial today when he delivered his closing thoughts to the Senate. Christian Farr has a look at the governor's remarks.

We hear from two journalists who have been covering the governor's scandal. Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun-Times and Bob Crawford of WBBM Newsradio 780 discuss the impeachment proceedings.

Eddie Arruza looks to the future with two former Illinois constitutional officers to determine what lies ahead for Blagojevich and the state of Illinois.

Rich Samuels has more on the 14-year-old that managed to impersonate a police officer and go undetected for several hours.

New Chicago Public School chief Ron Huberman got an earful his first day on the job. Rich Samuels tells us about the biggest challenge he faces.

Cities all across the country are lining up for a piece of President Obama's proposed $825 billion stimulus package. So why has Chicago not submitted a wish list of projects yet? The Chicago Tribune's David Greising joins us with some answers.