Stories by WTTW News

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, President Obama releases his birth certificate, then makes a whirlwind trip to Chicago to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Rod Blagojevich's retrial jury is shaping up, minus the one so-called "Oprah juror." Joking with reporters, the former governor called her tickets to one of the Queen of Talk's last shows, "f***ing golden." Rahm Emanuel says everyone must sacrifice in tough times -- including arts organizations. And in sports, the Bulls move on while the Blackhawks end their playoff comeback in an overtime heartbreaker.

Judge James Zagel told lawyers Thursday morning that they would have until Monday to request the removal of certain jurors. Opening statements are expected to start Monday afternoon. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

The fiery pastor of St. Sabina Church is out and his parishioners went to the archbishop's residence to make their displeasure known. But Cardinal George headed to Rome today for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at both controversial issues.

A car door is a dangerous and unexpected obstacle that is dreaded by bicyclists around the world. We tell you how the state of Illinois is tracking bike crashes in an effort to make the streets safer for two-wheeled travelers.

The international art world comes to Chicago for the Artropolis exhibition at the Merchandise Mart. We find out what's new this year at this annual Chicago tradition. More on the Story: What local galleries are bringing to the show Art Chicago's website

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War this month, Geoffrey Baer looks back on what he's discovered about Chicago's Civil War history in a special edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Father Michael Pfleger was suspended from his ministry at St. Sabina Catholic Church by Cardinal Francis George today. Ash-har Quraishi has the story. More on the Story: A timeline of Pfleger's career More on the Story: A link to the letter from Cardinal George

The GOP proposal to reform Medicare has led to voter backlash at some town hall meetings. Eddie Arruza speaks to two congressmen about the heated debate over that, the budget and the president's birth certificate.

Slow jury selection at the Blagojevich retrial could push opening statements until next week. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. More on the Story: A blog from the jury foreman at the first trial

They are the ultimate pollinizers; without them there would be no agriculture. But over the past five years, the bees in North America and Europe have been disappearing like never before. So what's going on? We speak with the director of a new documentary examining this phenomenon.

The Lurie Garden is in full glory at Millennium Park. We meet the gifted gardeners who've helped this urban oasis grow up healthy and green. The Lurie Garden website

The judge in the Blagojevich trial is hoping to wrap up jury selection soon. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Blagojevich Retrial Page: Today's developments

Newark, New Jersey's police chief is reportedly among three finalists on the list to be Chicago's next police superintendent. The others include the U.S. drug czar and a Chicago police insider. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look at the three remaining contenders and what each would bring to the job. More on the Story: More on the candidates

We chat with Groupon founder Andrew Mason and the chairman of the Chicago tech company about its explosive growth and its future. While Groupon has taken off with consumers, not every business is giving their experience with the company a glowing review. More on the Story: One Chicago shop's experience Groupon's Chicago website

Sleeping on the job can be dangerous in some professions. Sleep expert Dr. Kathryn Reid joins us to talk about her latest research on sleep, and why it's so important to our health and well-being.

Geoffrey Baer takes us inside Chicago's first movie palaces. 

Today was the second day of jury selection at the Blagojevich retrial. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Visit our Blagojevich retrial page Would you be able to serve as a juror in the Blagojevich trial?

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel has had a flurry of press conferences announcing his appointments. But what do his choices say about the direction of his administration and his management style? Carol Marin and her panel of poltical experts look for answers. More on Dick Simpson Eric Zorn's latest column

The latest business news is all about inflation, gas prices and unemployment. Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to review the week's business headlines. An article on the efforts to combat inflation

It's the story of a woman trapped between her present and her past - growing up in a Jewish ghetto during the Holocaust. Howard Reich, producer and writer of the film "Prisoner of Her Past" is here to talk about his mother's life and diagnosis of late-onset post traumatic stress disorder.

He introduced Sneak Previews, Soundstage, and this program. Chicago Tonight will remember our friend, broadcasting pioneer Bill McCarter, with some of the people who knew him best. More on the Story: More on McCarter's legacy at WTTW

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Rod Blagojevich's retrial is underway. There are reports he wants to make his own closing arguments. Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel names key officials for his incoming administration, including a controversial pick to run the Chicago Public Schools. And it was a big week in Chicago sports with the Bulls and Blackhawks fighting in round one of their respective playoffs. Guests:

Rod Blagojevich was in court today as prospective jurors were questioned. Ash-har Quraishi has the story. Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page More on the Story: Article on today's jury selection

Jean-Claude Brizard was named as the new CEO of Chicago Public Schools. We speak with Tiffany Lankes, the Education Reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Lankes covered Brizard's career as the school superintendent in Rochester. She tells us what to expect out of our new CPS CEO.

Different factions in the education community are abuzz over the hiring of Jean-Claude Brizard to lead the Chicago Public Schools system. We examine his record in Rochester, New York and gauge reaction with our panel here in Chicago. More on the Story: More on Brizard

Two pee wee football coaches were shot and killed yesterday in Harvey. We take a look at the recent concerns surrounding the city's homicides and what's being done about them. Article on the murders