Stories by WTTW News

Remember the cow blamed for causing the Chicago Fire? Geoffrey Baer tells us about a South side home that may be connected to the infamous O'Leary family.

The Chicago Stand-Up Project We get a sneak peek at a new WTTW show premiering Friday night at 8:30 pm that follows well-known Chicago personalities not known for comedy as they receive a crash course in how to be funny.

Yesterday the prosecution rested its case in the Blagojevich corruption trial. Carol Marin and her panel discuss the state's best evidence.

We talk about the White Sox's surprising hot streak at the end of the first half of the season, and look at what's ahead for the team. The official site of the Chicago White Sox

Eddie Arruza tells us about one of the few remaining manufacturing plants in the city, which has been striving to be green for almost 50 years. PortionPac

The president of Elmhurst College has been appointed by the White House to the Council on Indian Education. He joins us to talk about what this means for the school and for Native Americans.

Grazyna Auguscik, a Chicago jazz singer born in Poland, performs new arrangements of songs written by her native country's most famous composer. See her perform live

John Wyma, another former Blagojevich friend and top aide, takes the witness stand to reveal why he turned on the ex-Governor. Elizabeth Brackett shares the details of Wyma's explanation.

A west suburban Islamic group wants to locate a religious center in a residential neighborhood, but some residents are outraged. Is it anti-Muslim sentiment or just a zoning issue? Eddie Arruza talks to a neighbor who opposes the proposal.

We meet a local woman who isn't letting ALS keep her from working. KissMyAls.com

The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security The author of The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security shares some practical strategies for money, work and living.

A provocative new show at Steppenwolf Theater features a remote-control device that can literally change your life. Hedy Weiss reviews that show, a play inspired by the death of Marilyn Monroe, and a musical revue for hard times. After the Fall--Eclipse Theatre A Parallelogram--Steppenwolf Theatre Sweet and Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen--Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

The Oscars are handed out in Hollywood, but the statuettes are made in Chicago. That's just one of dozens of well-known things invented or manufactured here. Geoffrey Baer goes in search of some American icons that are made in Chicago.

Ex-Deputy Governor Robert Greenlee took the stand again today in the Blagojevich trial. We have the latest from federal court.

Carol Marin and her panel look at the latest campaign dust-up between Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias and Bill Brady over paying taxes.

Hugh Hefner wants to cover up Playboy and take it private, but he is facing some opposition from Penthouse. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to talk about the ensuing bidding war, along with the week's other business headlines.

A rare and unique species of butterfly once common in this area is in danger of going extinct. We show you how a local researcher is trying to prevent that from happening. Find out more about the Regal Fritillary

Officials at the Shedd Aquarium have volunteered to help rescue crews in the Gulf region save wildlife caught in the devastating oil spill. We talk to a Shedd official who will be assisting in the rescue effort. See what the Shedd is doing in the Gulf See what the Audubon Nature Institute is doing in the Gulf

This is the time of year to dine al fresco in Chicago, but it's also the perfect time to paint al fresco. We revisit a group of mostly amateur artists who take their brushes and canvases outdoors to capture the sights and colors of Chicago. Plein Air Painters of Chicago

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

Joel Weisman and his panel look at the week's top headlines: LeBron James disappoints Bulls fans by choosing Miami; Governor Quinn doles out raises to 35 staffers while cutting $1.4 billion in education and social services spending; undercover tapes catch Rod Blagojevich ripping Illinois voters; the CTA will get $35 million to speed downtown travel and service between the Loop and the South Side; and in other sports, it looks like the red hot White Sox will lose their pitching star Jake Peavy for the season due to a detached chest muscle. Guests:

Testimony today revealed that former Governor Rod Blagojevichwas snubbed on Election Night 2008. Elizabeth Brackett tells us why.

Last week, the City Council passed new rules for vacation rentals -- short-term stays in houses or condos. We find out what the changes might mean for the city's real estate market.

Over the last five centuries through warfare, disease and suppression, one of the largest groups of American Indians in North America has found itself losing its native tongue. We find out about an effort underway right here in Chicago by members of the Ojibwe people to teach and revitalize their endangered traditional language. More on the story...

Why has the intersection of Grand and State on Chicago's north side been torn up for years? Geoffrey Baer has the answer to that question in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey. The Sabre Room,where Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin performed June 10th, 1977 These are the buildings featured in our segment about the Latin alphabet:

Art abounds on the CTA. We show you how riding the train can lead you to some of the city's most vibrant and diverse works of art. Map of CTA Art