Stories by WTTW News

It is the most valuable musical instrument on the planet, it's right here in Chicago, and it's for sale. We'll tell you how much it might go for.

One of Chicago's marquee music festivals, Lollapalooza, is being investigated by the attorney general's office. Rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis are here with more on the controversy surrounding this weekend's giant music festival that provides huge revenues for the Chicago Park District. More about Lollapalooza Visit Greg Kot's website Visit Jim DeRogatis's website

She trailed President Clinton on his jogs, carted a defibrillator to more than 100 countries, and often rode in the Secret Service "decoy" limousine. We'll hear from Dr. Connie Mariano, who spent nine years as the White House physician. More about Dr. Mariano

And we'll dive into our mailbag and tell you a new name one viewer came up with for our program.

On tonight's edition: the jury deliberates as the Blagojevich brothers wait. In politics, gubernatorial candidates Pat Quinn and Bill Brady spar over possible increases in real estate and income taxes. We take a closer look at a Chicago Sun-Times series on the toll of violence in Chicago, including the rising body count and the fact that communities are remaining silent. And in sports, baseball's trade deadline, the Blackhawks' money problems, and the red-hot White Sox. Guests:

What was Rod Blagojevich's life before he entered politics? We take an in-depth look at the former Governor's childhood, his college years, his entry into politics, and more when we re-visit Elizabeth Brackett's award-winning 2002 documentary about the life of Rod Blagojevich as we await the jury verdict in his corruption trial.

Shirley Sherrod's remarks set off a firestorm in Washington this month. A friend of the family, Rev. Jesse Jackson, chimes in on that controversy as well as his son's connection to the Blagojevich trial.

We have new revelations from the Chicago News Cooperative about the deal that privatized parking spaces in Chicago.

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.