Stories by WTTW News

An old world tradition lives on with Chicago's Noble Horse Theatre. Eddie Arruza pays a visit to the equestrian arts troupe in the Old Town neighborhood on a site that's been home to horses for 140 years.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: a bombshell in the Blagojevich case, as prosecutors drop charges against Robert Blagojevich; in Rod Blagojevich's national media whirlwind tour, the former Governor vows to put on a bevy of witnesses during his second trial; Chicago housing sales took a major tumble in July, sparking fears of a double-dip recession; and Chicago Public Schools fail to obtain much-needed federal funding. And in sports, the White Sox bullpen struggles as the Cubs say so long to Sweet Lou Piniella. Guests:

Federal prosecutors have decided not to retry Robert Blagojevich. Elizabeth Brackett talks with the former Governor's brother and gets his reaction to the news. She also has the latest details on the retrial of Rod Blagojevich and when he could return to court.

A reporter for the Chicago News Cooperative joins us with her picks for this weekend's hottest Chicago events. "Rewind: 1970s to 1990s"--Museum of Contemporary Art Emmett Till Legacy Foundation Gala Indie Designer Market National Hellenic Museum (opening Fall 2011)

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

Housing sales took a major tumble in July, sending shock waves nationwide over a possible double dip recession. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what the surprising downturn means for homeowners and real estate investors.

The Chicago area has the worst heroin problem in the nation, according to a study tracking heroin-related visits to emergency rooms. The new head of the Chicago Drug Enforcement Administration tells us what law enforcement is doing about it. Watch part one of Chicago Tonight's 2009 story on the heroin crisis in the suburbs Watch part two

A gruesome photo leads Jay Shefsky on a quest to understand a century-old murder.

One of our viewers remembers visiting this bronze elk as a child in southwest Chicago; he called it Bambi. Learn the real story behind the monument in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier tells us how to tend to a garden in late summer, and take it from August..to autumn.

The weak economy is creating yet another economic concern: deflation. Chicago Sun-Times business columnist Terry Savage discusses the deflation issue and suggests some ways to protect yourself.

Eddie Arruza talks with Alderman Scott Waguespack about his possible aspirations for Mayor.

A displaced alligator was captured today in the north branch of the Chicago River. We talk with a reptile wrangler to find out how the gator got there, and where it's going. Chicago Herpetological Society

Some Chicago environmentalists want to turn down the external lights at night so that we can see something we haven't seen in years -- the stars. We show you how they say it can happen.

A former JetBlue flight attendant caused quite a stir when he quit his job over the airplane's public address system, deployed the emergency chute, and used it to make a dramatic exit. We look at what makes some people snap.

Fall is in the air! Check, Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh is here with some fall beer recommendations perfect for getting cozy with friends.

We haven't heard the last of Rod Blagojevich. Eddie Arruza and his panel of reporters give their take on the former Governor's media blitz. Also, a look at other poltical stories: Governor Quinn's top aide quits due to an ethics controversy, and some rumblings at City Hall.

Federal regulators made the decision to seize the financially strapped Shorebank. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss how the bank's mission of community outreach will continue.

Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns discusses his latest work, The Tenth Inning (coming to WTTW in late September), which takes a swing at baseball's steroid era.

Should Rod Blagojevich be re-tried? You weighed in, and we read some of our viewer mail. Additional link mentioned on tonight's show: "Illinois Financial State of the State"--Institute for Truth in Accounting

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

Robert Blagojevich and his attorneys join us live in our studio to reflect on the verdict and what's next in his possible retrial.

The Blagojevich trial has been the summer's big news story, but all the while, the state's deep financial crisis has not gone away. We hear from the president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago on the increasing worries over state pension funds.

How has the Blagojevich trial impacted political campaigns for the fall elections? Ash-har Quraishi looks at the campaign strategies of candidates gearing up for November.

What has been the impact of Twitter and Facebook on the publishing industry? We talk to one of the authors of the so-called "Bible of the Publishing World, The Chicago Manual of Style.

We shine a spotlight on the jury who returned yesterday's surprising verdict, including Elizabeth Brackett's in-depth look at the life of jury foreman James Matsumoto. Then, Matsumoto and fellow juror Ralph Schindler join us live to discuss what took place during deliberations.