Stories by WTTW News

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.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The 43rd ward is one of the city's most affluent, covering Lincoln Park and Old Town. Development is a major issue. But this race has also become noteworthy for campaign mudslinging. Eddie Arruza talks to two-term incumbent Vi Daley and challenger Michelle Smith.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Senator Barack Obama raises $25 million for presidential run, Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline announces retirement, Sam Zell buys the Tribune Company, Brown Line repairs begin, and the Cubs and Sox open a new season. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The candidates in Chicago's 35th ward runoff election will square off tonight. Incumbent Rey Colon and challenger Vilma Colom have been rivals for the last decade. Eddie Arruza talks with the candidates about crime, development and the big box issue.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Our series of aldermanic forums continues today with the South Side's third ward, one plagued by crime, unemployment, and sparse development. We'll talk to 23-year incumbent Dorothy Tillman and challenger Pat Dowell. Jonathan Eig It's the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic first season when he broke the color barrier in baseball, the topic of the new book, "Opening Day." Author Jonathan Eig joins us in our studios.

32nd Ward Runoff Election The 32nd ward has undergone many changes due to gentrification in recent years. The changing face of the ward is central to the debate in the aldermanic race. In our ongoing series of aldermanic forums in advance of the April 17th run-off election, we'll talk to incumbent alderman Ted Matlak and challenger Scott Waguespack.

Police Superintendent Retires After a week of intense scrutiny over his handling of two incidents involving off-duty police officers in bar brawls, Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline announced his retirement today, 7 months ahead of when he was initially set to step down. The superintendent's announcement came after he met with Mayor Daley this morning. Did the Mayor push Superintendent Cline into early retirement and who may be next in line to be Chicago's top cop? Elizabeth Brackett will have the story.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Another alleged beating by Chicago cops caught on tape, United Airlines unions furious over huge executive pay day, billionaire investor Sam Zell reportedly close to buying the Tribune Company, the latest version of the Chicago Spire unveiled, the Brown's Chicken mass murder trial finally underway, and the Cubs and Sox open a new season Monday. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza A security camera in a bar captured the shocking attack of a female bartender allegedly by an off-duty Chicago police officer. Tonight, Police Superintendent Phil Cline talks to Eddie Arruza about this and another instance also caught on tape.

News Analysis with Carol Marin The man behind former governor George Ryan's conviction is going into private practice. Patrick Collins talks one-on-one with Carol Marin about his past, present, and future. Coal & Global Warming Rich Samuels reports on the battle against global warming and what coal-fired power plants are doing to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.

Gonzales in Chicago Embattled U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales met the press in Chicago today. Rich Samuels was there and will bring us the latest from the federal building. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Following a breast cancer summit held in Chicago a few days ago, Elizabeth Brackett and her panel weigh in on where we are in the fight against the deadly disease. Guests: Dr. David Ansell, Rush University Medical Center; Dr. Seema Khan, Northwestern Memorial Hospital; and Steve Whitman, Sinai Urban Health Institute

Chicago Spire Internationally acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava unveils his newest plan for North America's tallest building — a soaring condo tower planned for the mouth of the Chicago River. The new design wowed the crowd, but have the architect and developer silenced their critics? Geoffrey Baer will tell us.

The Week in Review A savage beating by an off-duty Chicago cop caught on video, Mayor Daley's former aide indicted on hiring fraud charges, 4,000 anti-war protesters march downtown, Airbus lands their brand-new double-decker jet at O'Hare, Blue Line repairs could cost $100 million and take 3 years to complete, and the Cubs and Sox can't wait for Opening Day. Guests:

Federal Indictments U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald reacts to his recent "mediocre" job rating and announces the indictment of a former top Chicago city official. Rich Samuels reports on today's double header at the federal building.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Is Chicago's U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's job performance "mediocre"? That was the rating the White House used to force the ouster of two other U.S. Attorneys - among eight who were fired. Now the U.S. House has authorized subpoenas in those cases. Three former U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois join us tonight to talk about the politics of being U.S. Attorney and keeping the job. Guests: Scott Lassar, Anton Valukas and Sam Skinner

Anti-War Protest Chicagoans are preparing for a march downtown tonight protesting the continuing war in Iraq. Rich Samuels will have a live report. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett This week marks the 4th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Elizabeth Brackett talks to Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, who is making a visit next week to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett A young boy from Indiana has found himself at the center of an international medical story. His father's smallpox vaccine caused a severe reaction in the boy. His case is being treated as a kind of a test of how prepared we are for a disease outbreak. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel will take a look. Guests: Dr. Madelyn Kahana, Comer Children's Hospital; Dr. Susan Gerber, Chicago Department of Public Health; and Dr. Ken Alexander, Comer Children's Hospital

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman The Bears Tank Johnson jailed, Chicago's postal service the worst in the nation, the City Council approves Olympic guarantee, Curie High School principal fights dismissal, media mogul Conrad Black on trial here, and the Cubs and Sox set to open a new season in just a couple of weeks. Guests:

Mass Transit Mess Mass transit will need billions of dollars if it is to survive, says the state's Auditor General today. Even if fares are doubled, mass transit would still be in the hole. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Chicago's mail delivery service is the worst in the nation, according to a U.S. Postal Service audit. Why is it so bad and what are postal officials doing about it? Guests: Gloria Tyson, Chicago Postmaster, Ald. Richard Mell

Conrad Black Trial Begins The trial of the man accused of plundering the Sun-Times began today. Rich Samuels was there and has an update. News Analysis with Carol Marin The Chicago City Council today overwhelmingly passed a measure putting the city's taxpayers on the hook for $500 million if the Olympic Games come to Chicago, and if there are cost overruns. Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Curie High School students are furious after the ouster of their principal by the local School Council. Do LSCs have too much power? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel weigh in on the debate. Guests: Laurie Watts Branch, Murray Language Academy LSC; Tracy Dell'Angela, Chicago Tribune; and Patrick Rocks, Chicago Public Schools

News Analysis with Carol Marin Larger-than-life media baron Conrad Black goes on trial Wednesday, accused of stealing from the Chicago Sun-Times, among other newspapers in his Hollinger International holdings. Carol Marin and her panel take a look at how the trial might unfold. Guests: Joe Weber, John Gallo and Tom Durkin Housewares Show The 2007 International Home and Housewares Show is underway at McCormick Place. We'll look at the latest trends and some nifty new products.