Stories by WTTW News

Former Chicago Bulls coach and broadcaster Johnny "Red" Kerr died on Thursday. We take a look back at Bob Sirott's 2005 interview with the Bulls legend.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Embattled Sen. Roland Burris refuses to step down; former Chicago Alderman Ed Vrdolyak escapes jail time; Gov. Quinn running for re-election in 2010; Chicago Public School officials vote to close or consolidate 16 underperforming schools; federal bailout recipient Northern Trust Bank under fire for sponsoring a golf tournament and throwing lavish parties; and Chicago mourns the loss of Bulls legends Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr. Guests:

"Check, Please!" host and master sommelier Alpana Singh tells us how long to keep a bottle of port once it is uncorked and answers other questions about wine and spirits in tonight's edition of "Ask Alpana."

Time Out Chicago Magazine joins us with lots of ideas for your weekend. National Pig Day Celebration Chicago Maritime Festival and Concert MythBusters Acme Miniature Flea Circus

Chicago Bulls legend Norm Van Lier died today. We take a look back at John Callaway's 2006 "Friday Night" interview with the superstar.

An opinion by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan could open the door for a special election for President Obama's Senate seat. Attorney General Lisa Madigan joins us to explain her opinion and what it could mean for embattled Sen. Roland Burris.

A group of Chicago alderman declared their support of Sen. Burris today. This came despite revelations in a Sun-Times report that former Gov. Blagojevich appointed Burris' son to state office around the time Burris was seeking the Senate seat. Eddie Arruza and his panel weigh whether Burris can go on with the ever-expanding cloud that hovers around him.

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Vrdolyak avoided a jail sentence for his role in a kick-back scheme. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wanted a 3-1/2 year prison sentence, but Vrdolyak walked out of the federal building with probation.

It was thirty years ago that Jane Byrne pulled off the most stunning political upset in Chicago history, beating incumbent mayor Michael Bilandic in the Democratic primary. John Callaway has the story of an insider who turned against the machine.

The Chicago School Board decided the fate of 16 city schools at today's board meeting. Rich Samuels tells us which schools will be closed or consolidated and why.

When Sen. Dick Durbin& returned from his overseas trip, he immediately weighed in on the Sen. Roland Burris scandal. Durbin told Burris yesterday that if he were in his shoes he would resign. Carol Marin and her panel talk about the possibilities left for Burris.

The federal government has injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the nation's banking system, but two of the country's biggest banks are teetering on insolvency. What will it take to save the floundering financial industry? That is our focus tonight in our economic segment, "The Bottom Line." More on "The Bottom Line"

"The Fixer," Stephanie Zimmerman, tells us how the troubled economy has become the bait for drawing more victims into consumer fraud. She shares the details of some of those scams and how to avoid them.

Christian Farr introduces us to a pair of twin artists who are changing the face of religious imagery and creating art that makes you do a "double take." Twin Hicks

Singer/songwriter Michael McDermott performs live in our studio.

President Obama addresses Congress and the nation tonight. We hear from a speech writer about what we can expect to hear from the president during these tough economic times.

Being a spokesman for a politician is a tough job. When that politician is former Governor Rod Blagojevich, tough does not begin to describe the constant headaches. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with former Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero.

The Obama Administration is pushing for transparency, and so are some of our local governments. Christian Farr speaks visit two Chicago Area municipalities to find out how they are using technology to let people know what's going on. DuPage County Chicago City Clerk's Office

Professor Harold Hill he is not, but Rod Blagojevich is the scheming, conniving central character in a world premiere musical. We take you behind the scenes of Second City's smash song and dance extravaganza, "Rod Blagojevich, Superstar."

From the record hops of the 1950s through the disco era and right up to today. We reminisce with Herb Kent, "the Cool Gent," about a lifetime in radio. "The Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent"

Hedy Weiss joins us with a modern day review of Nijinsky's "Rite of Spring" now being performed by Chicago's Joffrey Ballet. "Old Glory" "Art" "The Rite of Spring"

Only 600 condominiums sold in downtown Chicago last year, compared to the previous year when nearly 4,000 sold. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" joins us with the details of that story plus the stories behind the rest of the week's business headlines.

Residents of Illinois' 5th Congressional District have to choose among 23 candidates when they go to the polls for March 3rd's special election primary. Who are the candidates, and are voters even paying attention? We try to make sense of the wide open race to replace Rahm Emanuel.

A small percentage of seniors who think they have Alzheimer's disease may have a different and curable disease. We meet a former Chicago firefighter who thought he was suffering from Alzheimer's until he discovered he had the rare disease by accident.

John Callaway talks to renowned presidential historian Michael Beschloss about the job President Obama has done so far during his first month in office.

We trace Michelle Obama's path to the White House with author Carol Felsenthal. "The Making of a First Lady"