Stories by WTTW News

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Mayor Daley's former top political aide implicated in city hiring scandal, jury selection underway in former Governor George Ryan's corruption trial, Marshall Field's facing extinction, the fatal Metra accident investigated, and the White Sox on the verge of an epic collapse. Guests:

News Analysis with Phil Ponce For years, he's been known as the dogged consumer advocate who was head of the Citizens Utility Board. Now Martin Cohen is shifting positions. Governor Blagojevich named him as the chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, the same agency he has battled for more than 20 years. Cohen joins us for a panel discussion about his new job.

News Analysis with Phil Ponce It's day three of jury selection in the trial of former Governor George Ryan. What kind of people do prosecutors and defense attorneys want on this jury? Phil Ponce and his panel will take a look. Iraq Update Escalating violence in Iraq has shaken the suburban Chicago businessman who recently served as Minister of Electricity in Iraq. On a recent trip back to Chicago he told Elizabeth Brackett he fears Iraq is moving closer to civil war. That conversation is coming up tonight.

Metra Derailment The federal investigation into last Saturday's deadly Metra accident continued today as officials tried to simulate the conditions that led to the crash. Eddie Arruza updates us on what investigators were trying to determine today.

News Analysis with Phil Ponce Governor Blagojevich vehemently denies any wrongdoing in an alleged pension scheme. Phil Ponce and his panel take a closer look at the governor's latest controversy. Guests: Greg Hinz, Kristen McQueary, Chris Fusco Bears Alumni Club The Bears put it all together against the Lions: Offense, defense and special teams all scored. Superbowl champ Steve McMichael is here for our Bears Alumni Club.

The Week in Review Governor Blagojevich's name surfaces in pension probe, former Governor Ryan accused of media blitz just before his jury selection on Monday, Hurricane Katrina prompts Chicago officials to reevaluate evacuation plans here, get ready for soaring gas bills, the White Sox division lead evaporating, and the Bears hope to tame the Detroit Lions. Guests:

Mayor Daley's Press Conference Mayor Daley warned of record high gas prices this winter as he announced programs to help seniors and low income residents deal with the soaring costs of energy. Elizabeth Brackett reports on this and other news from the mayor's wide ranging news conference today.

City Council Meeting An impassioned city council meeting today included an unexpected health scare by one of the alderman. News Analysis with Phil Ponce The average tab for heating a home this fall and winter is expected to be $1500. On top of that, gas and electric companies are asking for rate increases. Representatives of People's Energy and ComEd will be here to explain.

News Analysis with Phil Ponce In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, how prepared are we for a major disaster? Phil Ponce examines that question with a panel that includes Mayor Daley's Chief of Staff, Ron Huberman. Hurricane Relief Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the closest major city to New Orleans, has absorbed tens of thousands of evacuees. How has the disaster changed that town? Elizabeth Brackett recently returned from the region and has the story.

This week on Chicago Sunday: On this the 4th anniversary of 9/11 and in the wake of Hurricane Katrina Host Phil Ponce talks with Richard Friedman, President and Chair of the National Strategy Forum – a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to educate the public on critical issues of national security.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Chicago welcomes Hurricane Katrina's victims, the City Hall monitor takes over clout-ridden hiring process, Jim Edgar closer to a gubernatorial comeback, nearly 19,000 Boeing machinists go on strike, the White Sox close in on a division championship, and the Bears open the season against the Washington Redskins. Guests:

Hurricane Katrina Update Gulf coast residents have begun returning to try and salvage some of their belongings from their demolished homes. Elizabeth Brackett returned with one family and tells us what they found.

Hurricane Update More survivors of Hurricane Katrina are reaching Chicago. Rich Samuels takes us to Tinley Park where more than 100 will find shelter for the foreseeable future. South Suburban PADS Agency, 708-754-4357. We'll talk live with Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, who is in Baton Rouge tonight and has been covering the aftermath of the hurricane in New Orleans and the surrounding area all week.

Chicago's Katrina Response Mayor Daley was on hand today as Chicago geared up to receive survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Rich Samuels reports from the city's new intake center on the west side. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza On this first day of school, Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan sits down with Eddie Arruza to talk about the new school year.

Chicago Tonight is preempted for the holiday.

This week on Chicago Sunday: Host Phil Ponce talks with Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey about her recently completed stint "cleaning up" the city's minority hiring program. Then, if some researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology are predicting correctly, the solar house of the future will make it's own heat and electricity. Eddie Arruza tells us how it works and when we can expect to move in.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Chicago reacts to Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Daley apologizes to Chicagoans for recent scandals, West Nile virus on the rise here, the White Sox continue to struggle, and the Bears finally sign top draft pick Cedric Bensen. Guests:

Hurricane Katrina Update

Hurricane Katrina Update With most of New Orleans under water and hundreds confirmed dead in Louisiana and Mississippi, what can authorities can do to deal with the catastrophe? Bob talks with two experts on what needs to be done and how you can help. How to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina 1-800-HELP NOW RedCross.org

News Analysis with Phil Ponce Oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have been pounded by Hurricane Katrina. How hard will the storm hit Illinois residents in the wallet? We'll focus on the storm's fallout on gasoline prices. For more information: Illinois Green Fleets and AAA Chicago Motor Club

This week on Chicago Sunday: Host Phil Ponce talks with former Canadian prime minister Kim Campbell about what she's been up to since leaving Ottawa and why she finds herself spending so much time in Chicago lately. Then, Hedy Weiss talks with Chicago theater impresario Tony DeSantis about his past and current successes in the challenging world of Chicago theater.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review High school graduation requirements hiked, 47 city employees face firing, Jim Edgar urged to decide on gubernatorial run, Oreo cookies undergoing a reduced-fat make-over, and the White Sox in search of some offense. Guests:

News Analysis with Steve Edwards Many say your medical bills are so high because of runaway jury awards. Today Governor Blagojevich signed a bill that could change that. Chicago Public Radio's Steve Edwards sits down with doctors on both sides of the medical malpractice debate. Guests: Ed Murnane, Illinois Civil Justice League; Dr. Richard Geline, Illinois State Medical Society; Keith Hebeisen, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association; Dr. Scott Kale, internist and expert medical witness.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett New clean air initiatives were unveiled by city, state and federal authorities today. The hot weather has caused more pollution action alerts this summer. Elizabeth Bracket and her panel will look at the latest methods to clean up our air.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Nearly 40 years after the passage of the federal Fair Housing Law, housing advocates say that ethnic and racial steering is alive and prospering among some Chicago area realtors. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at why and where it's still happening. Guests: Barbara Knox, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Florentina Rendon, Hope Fair Housing Center; and Alexander Chaparro, Chicago Association of Realtors.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett President Bush again voiced his belief in the soundness of his Iraq war policies at a major address in Utah. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at mounting war protests and what that means here in Chicago. Guests: Rich Williamson, Bitta Mostofi, Marilyn Katz, and Wayne Parthun.