Stories by WTTW News

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett A fatal gang shooting on a CTA bus claimed the life of 16-year-old honor student Blair Holt last week. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look at the epidemic of inner city violence. Guests: Alysia Tate, Dr. Gary Slutkin, Dr. Carl Bell

Housing Victory Mayor Daley scored a victory today as his affordable housing legislation passed the city council with only two dissenting votes. Housing activists wanted more but were pleased with the first-ever set-aside legislation passed. Elizabeth Brackett has details.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Former alderman Ed Vrdolyak indicted, Governor Blagojevich's controversial tax plan ripped by lawmakers, a guilty verdict in the Brown's Chicken murder trial, former Chicago Sun-Times publisher David Radler testifies at the Conrad Black trial, and the Bulls facing elimination against the Pistons. Guests:

Vrdolyak Indicted Federal prosecutors say former Chicago alderman Eddie Vrdolyak has been indicted on charges of fraud and bribery. Rich Samuels was at the federal building and will have all the details. Read the Vrdolyak Indictment

City Council We'll look at the last City Council meeting for six allies of Mayor Daley — allies of his who lost at the polls. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Gas prices are reaching record highs this year, well ahead of the summer driving season. We'll tell you why this is happening and give you some practical suggestions to help you save at the pump. Guests: David Sykuta, Beth Mosher

Rick Bayless Chicago's Frontera Grill was just named the top restaurant in America by the James Beard Awards. We'll talk with Frontera's charismatic leader, Rick Bayless.

Access Living Access Living, one of the nation's leading advocates for the disabled, opened its new Chicago headquarters today. Rich Samuels tells us why this new building soon will be attracting worldwide attention.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Lawmakers busy in Springfield, Mayor Daley overhauls the police review board, former Governor Jim Thompson testifies at the Conrad Black trial, the downtown immigration march draws 150,000 people, and the Bulls brace for the Pistons. Guests:

Senate President Emil Jones' ComEd Ties New revelations about State Senate President Emil Jones' ties to Commonwealth Edison are adding to the debate over the possible re-institution of an electric rate freeze. Carol Marin will be here with the details.

News Analysis with Carol Marin About 300,000 children are used as child soldiers in armed conflict around the world. Carol Marin talks to Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier and author of the new book "A Long Way Gone." Power Struggle The battle over electricity rates continues in Springfield. Speaker Mike Madigan sits down with Elizabeth Brackett to talk about strategies to bring the high rates down.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza

County Phone Scandal We'll have the latest allegation about insider contracts at the county, and we'll hear what officials there have to say about a firm that doesn't have to show what it does to earn millions of taxpayer dollars. Christian Farr has the story.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Obama dodges conflict questions... Tanking local home sales Suburban student arrested for violent essay. And the red hot Bulls try to ice the heat Guests:

ComEd Rate Freeze Legislative maneuvering in Springfield puts a ComEd rate freeze back in play. Elizabeth Brackett will get details from a ComEd official. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings comes word that a senior at Cary-Grove high school has been arrested because of violent content in a creative writing assignment. Has the pendulum swung too far? Eddie Arruza and his panel will take a look.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Chicago's Hispanic community is outraged over the fake I.D. raid yesterday in a Little Village shopping mall. Protestors say the feds went overboard with intimidation. But the feds say it was necessary to protect shoppers from the alleged criminals. We'll find out why the feds were there, what happened, and what the Hispanic community has to say now. Guests: Ald. George Cardenas, Ald. Ricardo Munoz

Criticism of Burge Report A coalition of legal activists today slammed last year's special prosecutor's report on alleged police torture of crime suspects. Rich Samuels will bring up to date and tell us about a new surveillance video that could bring more embarrassment to the police department.

Obama in the Headlines Sen. Barack Obama said today that America can still play the role of preeminent world leader. But it was local politics that got him in trouble on the Sun-Times' front page. New ties between indicted power broker Tony Rezko and Obama have surfaced. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman The Virginia Tech massacre shocks the nation, labor carries the day in Chicago's aldermanic runoff elections, CTA chief Frank Kruesi resigns, Chicago beats L.A. in Olympic showdown, longtime Rosemont mayor Donald Stephens passes away, the Bulls take on the Miami Heat in the playoffs, and Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle throws a no-hitter. Guests:

Shooter's Manifesto The multimedia manifesto sent to NBC by the Virginia Tech shooter is raising some tough questions. Should the videos be shown? Are the images too disturbing? Or are they newsworthy? We'll examine the issues. Guests: Dr. Carl Bell, Bruce Evensen

Aldermanic Runoffs City Hall will look a lot different this May as a result of yesterday's election. We'll analyze the role labor unions had on the races. Also, how will Mayor Daley fare with the new city council makeup? Plus we'll talk to some of yesterday's big winners. Guests: Bob Fioretti, Pat Dowell, Sharon Denise Dixon and Scott Waguespack. Also: Greg Hinz, Cindi Canary

News Analysis with Christian Farr Part of Mayor Daley's Olympic dream became a reality this weekend after Chicago beat L.A. Now that we're in the running for the games, just how beneficial would it be to host the 2016 Olympics? Guests: Marilee Stepan Wehman, 1952 Olympian; Rob Baade, Lake Forest College; Ben Shields, co-author, "The Elusive Fan"

Virginia Tech Shooting A deadly shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University has claimed at least 32 people and wounded dozens, making it the deadliest gun massacre in U.S. history. How safe are our public spaces and how can we better protect ourselves from such a tragedy? News Analysis with Carol Marin Mayor Daley is celebrating this weekend's announcement that Chicago will be the U.S. applicant for the Olympics in 2016. But is it all good news? Carol Marin will talk cost with Chicago 2016 Committee Chairman Pat Ryan.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman CBS and MSNBC pull the plug on Don Imus, Chicago's aldermanic runoff election on Tuesday, Mayor Daley makes final pitch for the Olympics, public school teachers furious over lost laptops, the Cubs and Sox in action, and the Bulls accused of running up the score for Big Macs. Guests:

News Analysis with Christian Farr Our aldermanic forums conclude tonight with 16th Ward incumbent alderman Shirley Coleman and challenger Joann Thompson. Don Imus Controversy We'll talk about why Don Imus' reference to hair is causing such a furor. And we'll hear what African-American women have to say about it. Guests: Laura Washington, Deborah Douglas

City Council Debrief Chicago's City Council today signed off on a deal that would end court supervision of city hiring. Meanwhile, Mayor Daley prepared for a do-or-die presentation to the U.S. Olympics Committee. Rich Samuels has the latest from City Hall, including some pre-election mud slinging.

Hydrogen Technology General Motors brought its hydrogen-powered passenger vehicle to Des Plaines today. Rich Samuels will fill us in on its zero-emission technology.