Stories by WTTW News

Church Crisis Update Rich Samuels brings us the latest on the priest sex abuse scandal facing the Chicago Archdiocese. News Analysis with Carol Marin Vice President Dick Cheney is finally speaking about last weekend's hunting accident. Carol Marin and her guests look at how the White House has handled this crisis, and how public relations has unraveled for the Chicago Archdiocese, Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich.

Grocery Initiative The city of Chicago's launched a major initiative to lure full-service grocery stores to the inner city. Rich Samuels tells us why the mayor thinks this will be good for Chicago - and profitable for retailers.

Jail Break Six detainees who escaped from Cook County Jail on Saturday are all back in custody. But this comes on the heels of another escape and a shooting at the jail. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Corruption Update Former Chicago City Clerk James Laski was back in court today with a new lawyer. Rich Samuels has the latest on the highest ranking public official charged so far in the continuing investigation of corruption at City Hall.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Judy Baar Topinka's positive poll numbers, George Ryan poised to take the stand in his corruption trial, Peoples Energy refund contested, McDonald's food fatter than advertised, cancer deaths mark historic decline, and Michigan Avenue musicians silenced. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett We'll get the latest news on fat. What should we make of the new study that says low fat diets don't necessarily keep us healthy? Guests: Dr. Ellen Mason, Stroger Hospital; Dr. Matthew Sorrentino, University of Chicago; and David Grotto, American Dietetic Association.

Taylor Branch Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch sits down with Carol Marin to discuss Martin Luther King's years in Chicago and his new book, At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68. Anthony Rapp Joliet native and star of the Broadway smash hit Rent Anthony Rapp has written a new book, Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical Rent. He'll join us in the studio.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The city's Hired Truck scandal has netted it's first elected official. City Clerk Jim Laski resigned yesterday amid allegations of taking bribes. Eddie Arruza and his guests (Ald. Isaac Carothers, Ald. Ricardo Munoz, and Greg Hinz) panel provide analysis. And Rich Samuels reports on what the mayor didn't say about the Jim Laski.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Mayor Daley's chief of staff, Ron Huberman, sits down with Carol Marin to talk about what he's done to make city government more accountable. Super Bowl Ads We'll show you which of yesterday's Super Bowl ads have generated the most buzz today at the water cooler - and which should have ended up on the cutting room floor.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Cardinal George removes another priest, United Airlines exits bankruptcy, civil rights icon Coretta Scott King dies, controversial mascot Chief Illiniwek not going away quietly, and the wife of former Chicago Bull Antonio Davis charged with road rage. Guests:

Comptroller Dan Hynes Yesterday a group of Illinois lawmakers called for new ethics reforms in Springfield. State Comptroller Dan Hynes will be here to talk about this latest effort to bring more integrity to government. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Six Chicago-area hospitals have performed transplants using human tissue that may have been harvested illegally. Eddie Arruza and his panel explore how this happened and what the risks may be for transplant patients.

United Out of Bankruptcy Today is United Airlines' first day in three years to fly the skies free from bankruptcy. But the Elk Grove-based company may still face turbulence ahead. Reporter Doug Cameron of the Financial Times joins us to explain. Read United press release.

Remembering Coretta Scott King Civil rights activist Coretta Scott King has died. The widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was 78 and had suffered a stroke last summer. We'll hear from Rev. Jesse Jackson on Mrs. King's legacy. Later, we'll go to our WTTW vault and hear part of John Callaway's 1978 interview with Mrs. King. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Elizabeth Brackett interviews Cardinal Francis George about accusations that the Chicago Archdiocese mishandled allegations of sexual abuse by a Chicago priest.

News Analysis with Carol Marin ABC News co-anchor Bob Woodruff and his cameraman are recovering from serious injuries sustained by an insurgent roadside bombing yesterday. Carol Marin and her panel of reporters will examine the dangers they, like Woodruff, have faced in war zones. Assyrian Dictionary Project It may look like chicken scratch, but we'll introduce you to a remarkable project in Chicago that's keeping this ancient writing alive.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Another case of alleged sexual abuse by a priest, Public School officials paint dire budget picture, ComEd set to raise rates, Republicans spar at gubernatorial debate, Oprah Winfrey rips lying author into a million little pieces, and the world-champion White Sox celebrated at Sox Fest. Guests:

Chicago Public Schools The ax fell today in the Chicago Public Schools latest effort to leave no child behind. Rich Samuels reports on the cuts—-and the political fallout. Navy Pier Navy Pier officials have proposed a major makeover for the popular lakefront complex. They call it "visionary" but one critic says that McPier's honchos need their vision checked. Eddie Arruza will talk to the Chicago Tribune's architecture critic, Blair Kamin, about what he thinks of the plan.

ComEd The Illinois Commerce Commission voted yesterday to allow Commonwealth Edison to buy electricity through a controversial auction system. Critics say it will make electric rates go up. Elizabeth Brackett explains how the auction system works and what it could mean to consumers.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Ambassador Paul Bremer was the highest ranking American official in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. We'll talk to him about the latest news from Iraq, the election, the insurgents, the future and his new book, My Year In Iraq.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Chicago Public School officials warn of dire budget crisis. A thousand teachers may lose their jobs and class sizes may increase. Carol Marin's panel includes the public schools budget director. Betty Loren-Maltese Update She's been gone for a while but now former Cicero town president Betty Loren-Maltese is back in the news. We'll tell you why she's returning to her new home in California.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Former Chicago Bull Antonio Davis charges into the United Center stands, Governor Blagojevich delivers the State of the State address, Marina Towers condos used in nationwide prostitution ring, Peoples Energy customers getting $100 refunds, United Airlines exiting bankruptcy next month, and the Bears season comes to an abrupt and disappointing end. Guests:

Durbin's Alito Vote Senator Dick Durbin is the second highest ranking democrat in the senate. If he says "thumbs down" to Samuel Alito's nomination, does that mean a filibuster is in the offing? Rich Samuels has with the latest. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Embattled City Clerk James Laski has had his four police bodyguards taken away from him. Eddie rruza and his panel look at which other city officials have bodyguards and whether they're necessary.

James Laski Update James Laski, the embattled Chicago city clerk is still on the job, but he lost one of his perks. Rich Samuels has the latest from City Hall. State of the State Governor Blagojevich gave his Sstate of the State address today touting his administration's performance and calling for several new initiatives, but political opponents say the speech was just election-year rhetoric. Eddie Arruza has the highlights of the governor's address along with reaction from legislators of both parties.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Governor Blagojevich wants to bring Keno to Illinois. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss his proposal to authorize Keno.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Reputed mob boss, Joey "The Clown" Lombardo, was nabbed by authorities last week after nine months on the lamb. Carol Marin takes a look at the importance of this arrest with her panelists who include Lombardo's attorney, Rick Halprin.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review City Clerk James Laski secretly recorded by the feds, Governor Blagojevich wants keno machines permitted statewide, the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church burns down, Chicago named fattest city in America, and the Bears begin their Super Bowl march. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Chicago's new health commissioner already has a prescription for city residents: he wants you to get in shape. Eddie Arruza talks with Dr. Terry Mason about the health of the city and the most pressing issues facing the health department.

Corruption Probe Continues According to the Chicago Sun-Times, City Clerk James Laski could soon be resigning from office, this in the wake of a federal probe in which at least one of Laski's friends allegedly secretly recorded him making incriminating statements. Rich Samuels has the reaction from City Hall. And Carol Marin and her panel will have analysis.