Stories by WTTW News

We have your thoughts on our coverage of the Blagojevich trial -- and our selection of guests -- when we read some of your viewer mail.

The jury has their instructions and the case is now officially in their hands. What were those instructions, and how long might the Blagojevich brothers wait for their verdict? Elizabeth Brackett reports. Read our Blagojevich blog

Carol Marin confers with a panel of very high-profile convicted former public officials. They give their insight into what former Governor Rod Blagojevich is going through, and how they think the government has handled this case.

This fall, a struggling South Side Catholic school will have a new president with a surprising resume: veteran Chicago sports journalist Dan McGrath. We'll find out what inspired the change, and what changes McGrath hopes to bring to Leo High School.

Local musician Sad Brad Smith tells us how the movie Up in the Air helped put him on the map, and performs his song from the film.

The case is about to be in the hands of the jury. Closing arguments finished today in the federal corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich, and the jury will begin deliberating tomorrow. Elizabeth Brackett was there for the defense's more-than-energetic finish -- she gives us all the fiery details.

Eddie Arruza and his panel weigh in on the prosecution and defense's closing arguments and the possible impact on the jurors.

Shrek's new swamp has landed in downtown Chicago. We meet the Carol Stream native who's playing the beloved ogre in the first national tour of Shrek the Musical. Eric Petersen's official site

Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh introduces us to some favorite wine websites you should be visiting. Alpana Singh's Favorite Wine Websites:

The beginning of closing arguments brought out a crowd -- including the courtroom debut of Blagojevich daughters Amy and Annie. Elizabeth Brackett fills us in on the details.

How effective were closing arguments, and where will the trial go from here? Carol Marin and her panel take a look.

30 years after one of the worst genocides in history, a war crimes tribunal hands down its first verdict. Ash-har Quraishi will be here with the story of Chicago's remarkable connections to the killing fields of Cambodia. More on the story

Can production of the Ford Explorer in Chicago and the creation of 1,200 jobs bring Chicago's unemployment rate under 10 percent? Kris Kridel joins us to talk about Ford's announcement and other business headlines.

Legendary jazz disc jockey Dick Buckley died last week. We hear what Buckley had to say about his life and career in a classic WTTW documentary from 1989.

On tonight's edition: Rod Blagojevich's defense team rests without putting one witness on the stand, including the former Governor himself; another Chicago police officer is killed -- the third in two months -- as he was washing a new car outside his Park Manor home; despite a promise of more police and no new taxes, Mayor Daley's popularity falls to a new low in a Chicago Tribune poll; the city digs deep into its financial reserves, leaving just $180 million from the controversial billion dollar parking meter lease deal; and Chicago-area construction resumes as the labor strike is settled.

Closing arguments are expected to take just one day at the Blagojevich trial. We have the latest from federal court.

In a controversial move a year and half ago, the City of Chicago leased its parking meters for more than $1 billion. The windfall was supposed to be a long-term asset, but it's now being reported that the money is almost gone. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what this means for the city's finances.

We head north to Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. One night each month, it entices illegal street racers to the track to race legally.

Looking to avoid summer traffic, closed roads and high gas prices? Carless in Chicago author Jason Rothstein offers tips for navigating the city without a car. Read the Carless in Chicago blog

Why is an empty building in Lincoln Park engraved with the word "Perfection?" Geoffrey Baer reveals the rather morbid answer in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey. Yerkes Observatory Lincoln Park Boat Club Row4Row--Lincoln Park Boat Club is a sponsor for this breast cancer awareness project

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

It's official, Rod Blagojevich will not take the stand to testify in his own defense. Rod Blagojevich's defense team rested its case today after calling no witnesses. Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday. Why did the ex-governor refrain from testifying? We hear from lawyers, journalists and trial consultants about this and all the latest developments from federal court. Read our Blagojevich Blog More Video

For months, Rod Blagojevich and his lawyers have been promising that the ex-Governor will take the stand to testify on his own behalf. But now there are reports that Blagojevich will not testify, and the defense may rest without calling any witnesses. Eddie Arruza talks with a panel of lawyers and journalists, including our own Elizabeth Brackett, about the latest developments.

Your social media presence -- on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Linked-In and the like -- tell a lot about you. Those embarassing pictures you posted (or your friends posted of you) could cost you dearly. We learn ways to clean up your online persona.

We speak with the author of a new biography that tells the courageous story of Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. Curveball Negro League data on Toni Stone

No matter how well you think you know this city, there are always a few surprises around the corner. Geoffrey Baer finds some Chicago neighborhoods that are so hidden, they take even him by surprise.