Stories by WTTW News

After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the looting of Iraq began. We talk to the Chicago author of the book The Rape of Mesopotamia, which says the ransacking of Iraq's greatest cultural institution illustrates the failure of U.S. forces to secure the country. The Rape of Mesopotamia

He began his career in the 1950's and has been causing trouble ever since. We have a performance from Chicago's underground R&B bad boy, Andre Williams.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is holding firm to his threat to veto a sales tax repeal by disgruntled Cook County commissioners. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel have the very latest on the county tax revolt. Contact the Cook County Commissioners -

The Chicago Blackhawks are in hockey's final four for the first time since 1995. Last night, the one millionth fan passed through the United Center turnstiles. We explore the team's transformation both on and off the ice.

A controversy is raging over a proposed wind farm in DeKalb County. Rich Samuels tells us why as we continue this year's Chicago Matters series.

As the recession continues, we head to Libertyville, where everything from downtown development to Little League is impacted by a big drop in car sales.

Tom Stoppard's play Rock 'n' Roll, now on stage at the Goodman Theater, is "richly sensual, emotionally rousing and intellectually dense," says our Hedy Weiss. She joins us with a review of that show, plus two others now playing. "Rock 'N' Roll" "Hedda Gabler" "The Lieutenant of Inishmore"

There are just 30 days to go until the transition to digital TV. Christian Farr joins us to explain what you need to do to make sure you are ready on June 12th.

It's crunch time in Springfield. State lawmakers have until the end of May to enact ethics reform and fill a projected budget gap of about $10 billion. Carol Marin and a panel of state legislators take up the issues. Illinois Reform Commission Report

Can President Obama's suitmaker be saved? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio's Noon Business Hour shares the details of the battle to save Chicago's Hartmarx.

Drew Peterson has been arrested for murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio. We talk to a couple of legal experts about a controversial hearsay law that is at the heart of the prosecution's case.

The number of dogs and cats being euthanized at Chicago area shelters is on the decline. But will a proposed ordinance mandating the sterilization of all Chicago pets help or hurt the pet population? Eddie Arruza updates us on the subject.

We meet a local man who traveled the world in order to retrace the steps of his great-great grandfather. A Century of Travel Blog

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

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Drew Peterson charged with murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio; Mayor Daley demands furlough days from all city workers; sales tax revolt at the Cook County Board this week; Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias caught up in a college savings plan controversy; the distressed Sun-Times eyed by a local bidder; the Blackhawks even things up with the Vancouver Canucks; and Jerry Reinsdorf reportedly part of a group bidding for the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team. Guests:

John sits down with the head of the MacArthur Foundation, Jonathan Fanton.

Non-union city employees will take unpaid vacation and furlough days in a series of cost-cutting measures. Mayor Daley says he would like unionized employees to do the same. But will that help close an estimated $300 billion shortfall? Eddie Arruza and his panel weigh in.

8,500 Chicagoans lost their lives to the so-called "Spanish Flu" in 1918. Rich Samuels tells us how the city tried to prevent the spread of the disease as he concludes our look at the deadliest pandemic of the 20th century.

The death of a newborn can devastate a family. We meet a couple who say they were helped in their healing by the work of a local photographer. Todd Hochberg's Website The exhibit of Todd Hochberg's photography runs through May 17

We preview John Callaway's Friday Night interview with the head of the MacArthur Foundation, Jonathan Fanton.

Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh answers your questions about wine and spirits.

Looking for a tasty place to celebrate with your (or any) mother this weekend? Laura Baginski of Time Out Chicago shares her weekend recommendations.

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

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has backed away from his promise to veto a repeal of the one percent county sales tax increase. Carol Marin sits down with a panel of county commissioners to find out what comes next.

The so-called "stress tests" of America's largest banks are completed and the results will be made public tomorrow. Preliminary reports say some banks are not as healthy as they should be. Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss the test results on tonight's installment of The Bottom Line.

Former Chicago alderman Leon Despres died today at the age of 101. Despres was an outspoken reformer who spent two decades in the city council as a thorn in the side of Mayor Richard J. Daley and the regular Democratic organization. We take a look back at his life. Watch Leon Despres talk about the political machine Watch Leon Despres talk about Mayor Richard J. Daley