Stories by WTTW News

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman The Bears ready to rumble on Sunday, Senator Barack Obama draws an apology for alleged racial comments by Senator Joe Biden, three new casinos proposed, Governor Blagojevich moving ahead with plans to sell the state's lottery, and billionaire investor Carol Icahn takes a major stake in Motorola. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett A new University of Chicago study released today is one of the most comprehensive looks at the attitudes of young African-Americans ever. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with the author of the study and one of its participants to talk about the surprising results. Richard Posner It is the cardinal sin in literature and journalism. But why do people still do it? We'll talk to federal appeals court judge Richard Posner about his new book on plagiarism.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Cook County's Chief Medical Officer was on the hot seat today as commissioners critiqued his bare-bones budget. Dr. Robert Simon will join Carol Marin in the studio. Organ Donation We'll hear all about new aspects of organ donation. It involves a lot more than just signing the back of your driver's license. Guest: Dave Bosch, Gift of Life Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Eye on Iowa Hillary Clinton made some unexpected news while she was in Iowa. And Barack Obama will make his rounds in that state shortly. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet has been on the trail and stops by our studios to talk presidential politics.

News Analysis with Carol Marin He may be Chicago's most powerful politician that no one recognizes. Carol Marin sits down with William Daley, the brother of the mayor, advisor to Sen. Barack Obama, and former Secretary of the Commerce Department under Bill Clinton.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Super Bowl fever grips Chicago, Senator Barack Obama backing Mayor Daley's re-election campaign, more outrage over Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's painful budget cuts, Chicago's Olympic plans unveiled, and Rupert Murdoch reportedly interested in Tribune Company assets. Guests:

Countdown to Miami The Chicago Bears say they are ready to bring a Super Bowl home to the Windy City. Christian Farr talked to the coach and his players about being the underdogs, and what it means to make it to the big game. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Forget the car, or we'll have you deported. That's the front page headline in today's Chicago Sun-Times. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at the precarious situation of illegal immigrants and the radio station that usually fights for them.

Lovie's Future Any truth to the speculation about the future of Bears coach Lovie Smith? Rich Samuels will be here with the latest from Halas Hall. News Analysis with Carol Marin In a cost-cutting move that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has called "unconscionable," board president Todd Stroger has called for the elimination of more than 300 sheriff's employees. Carol Marin will talk with Sheriff Dart. Click here to see every county employee's salary.

Olympic Dreams Chicago's Olympic committee unveils its plans to host the 2016 games. The temporary stadium has shrunk in size, but the estimated costs have risen. Christian Farr will talk about the changes and what they mean for the city.

Bears Alumni Club They proved the critics wrong and now the NFC Champion Bears are headed to the Super Bowl. Our panel of Bears experts talk about last night's stomping of the Saints. Plus, Elizabeth Brackett tells us what Lovie Smith had to say at today's Bears press conference. Guests: Emery Moorehead, Mike Adamle and Mike Mulligan

The Week in Review Senator Barack Obama forms a presidential exploratory committee, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger unveils his $3 billion budget, Donald Trump renegotiates discount condo deals here, Chicago "Dream Girl" Jennifer Hudson wins a Golden Globe, the popular Body Worlds exhibit returns to the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Bears just one win away from the Super Bowl. Guests:

Countdown to Miami It's only three days away. What do the Bears need to focus on to beat the Saints and make it to Super Bowl 41? We'll assess the Bears' chances with Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti. Manley Career Academy We'll hear the story of one extraordinary program at a Chicago public high school that is changing the way students see themselves and the world. It's the topic of a new documentary produced by our own Carol Marin. She'll join us to talk about it.

Tribune Company Auction Bids for the troubled Tribune Company were underwhelming as the auction process came to a close tonight. What does the future hold for the longtime media giant? Guest: Bob Reed

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Sen. Barack Obama took a giant step toward running for the White House today when he formed a presidential exploratory committee. Guests: David Axelrod, Bruce Dold, Laura Washington

Escape from Jail Elizabeth Brackett will have exclusive details of a Downers Grove businessman's escape from an Iraqi jail. The former Minister of Electricity had been held in an Iraqi jail on corruption charges. News Analysis with Carol Marin CTA president Frank Kruesi, Ald. Joe Moore and Ald. Ricardo Munoz join Carol Marin to talk about the CTA's current woes.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Chicago seeks federal expansion dollars for O'Hare, commuters brace for more Brown Line repairs, early primary proposed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Senate fails to override ComEd rate hike, and the Bears set to begin their Super Bowl march. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Ald. Arenda Troutman, who was charged this week with bribery, spoke out this morning at the first Chicago City Council meeting of 2007. Rich Samuels brings us the highlights of her raucous press conference. In light of those allegations against Ald. Troutman, one question raised is, do Chicago's aldermen have too much power over what does or does not get built in their wards? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel will take a look. Guests: Tom Durkin, Jay Stewart, Chris Gair

News Analysis with Carol Marin Sen. Barack Obama is making waves with a topless Hawaiian beach photo. We'll talk to his political consultant, David Axelrod, about it and about Obama's likely run for the White House.

Cook County Budget Crisis More than half of Cook County's 26 health clinics could be closing. Rich Samuels has the latest on county board president Todd Stroger's efforts to close the budget gap.

Ald. Troutman Arrested There was news today of an alleged shakedown scheme by Chicago alderman Arenda Troutman. Rich Samuels was at federal court and brings us the latest. Read the Troutman complaint here.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman We'll gaze into our 2007 crystal ball. What lies ahead for the city and state in government, politics, business, the arts, and sports? Will it be a prosperous, scandalous, or problematic year? Tonight at 7:00 pm. Guests:

The Beetles are Back Wilmette is the latest community to do battle with the destructive Emerald Ash Borer beetle. The village is cutting down almost 3000 ash trees. Guests: Wilmette Village President Chris Canning, Clem Hamilton, Morton Arboretum New Illinois Laws A number of new laws in Illinois took effect on January 1st. Eddie Arruza will tell us what some of these laws are and how they may impact you.

Disaster Preparedness How prepared is Chicago for a major catastrophe or terrorist attack? A new federal report is at odds with the claims of city officials that we're ready. Eddie Arruza reports. News Analysis with Carol Marin 2006 was a year of uncertainties for Chicago's major newspapers. Are old-fashioned paper-and-ink dailies a thing of the past? And if not, how will they survive? Carol Marin and her panel will have a look. Guests: Jeremy Mullman, Rich Gordon, and Paula Hambrick

County Budget Crisis With a budget deficit of $500 million looming, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool announced his plan today for cutting the county's budget. His plan is in stark contrast to President Todd Stroger's plan for dealing with the deficit. Commissioner Claypool and Republican commissioner Peter Silvestri will give us more details on both plans.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman At 7:00 pm we present our special 2006 year-end edition of the Week in Review. It was a tough year for corrupt politicians, a banner year for Senator Barack Obama, a big year in business, a super year for the Bears, a year packed with news. Guests:

Remembering President Ford President Ford is often credited with helping to "heal" the country in the wake of Watergate. We'll look at some specific steps he took, including his appointment of a prominent Chicagoan. Guest: David Strauss