Metro & Tri-state Feds: Chicago cop took bribes Drew's pals wore wire Trial set for Anthony Abbate Surveillance plan sweeps through committee Board members try in vain to repeal tax increase Schools budget balanced without higher taxes Steve Bartman offered $25,000 for one autograph O'Hare Blue Line work finishing early City expects $50M. in red-light fines Fist bump means business She lies to cops, dog pays Cops hope buyback more than 13K guns off streets 'Supreme Inca' gang leader convicted Viagra could help some women, too

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Feds: Chicago cop took bribes Trial set for Anthony Abbate Man charged in string of South Side burglaries Motorist fatally shot, crashes into school building Education Schools budget balanced without higher taxes Veterans struggle to adjust in college

Sports Devin Hester a no-show at Bears training camp The tranquil start to Bears training camp disappeared faster than a Devin Hester touchdown return today when the Bears special teams ace refused to show up for the opening practice in a contract holdout.
Dirty pool: Sox, Cubs aren't playing by the rules Jay Mariotti: To this day, the boom of Ken Williams' voice echoes through town: "Stay out of White Sox business!" He was warning a bitterly departed Frank Thomas not to go there, if you know what I mean, and his rebuke was typical of an organization so protective of its internal affairs that one all but needs a secret handshake and password to enter the front door.
On road to oblivion? Early in the season it was easily explained away by weather or the rigors of an unusual schedule, or simply the fact that it was early in the season. But as the Cubs' massive home-road offensive disparity reaches four months -- creating more than a .340 difference in winning percentage home and away -- it is becoming a worrisome trend for a team with World Series aspirations.

Lifestyles Seasonal drinks fresh from your own garden Tending to peppers, cultivating tomatoes, pruning herbs to bushy perfection -- these are all idyllic experiences that define the early days of summer. When the motherload finally hits, kitchen counters and refrigerator crispers are full to capacity. Blenders are caked with the pungent remnants of pesto.

Tomato mojitonico with opal basil Red ginger Blue crush Asian coin toss
At Home Interior Affairs: How to be over the top in a good way Morton Arboretum: Build fort for kids while they're young Religion Texas grand jury indicts polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs 350,000 see pope Down Under Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for July 23 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for July 23 Astrological questions

Entertainment John Mellencamp still rocks, but ages gracefully Dave Hoekstra: It’s been said that by age 50 you get the face you deserve. So on Tuesday at Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island, John Mellencamp and opening act Lucinda Williams graced the stage like that grim couple from the American Gothic painting — each of the accomplished singer-songwriters sticking a pitchfork into middle age.
Fans up early for free John Mellencamp show
Books ‘Rotten’ guy from Mundelein writes about paradise Doug M. Cummings for 'Every Secret Crime' In toon with life Classical Lang Lang shows serious artistry in performance with CSO Stage 'Esperanza' deftly explores loss and salvation Heartfelt 'Fast Forward' speeds actors' growth Eclipse Theatre's revival of 'Plaza' is worth checking out

Business Fist bump means business The handshake may always have a firm grip on business, but the fist bump is making inroads -- albeit in the face of some resistance. "I have not encountered a fist bump and would judge anyone who tried it as a total redneck," said Dr. Grace Keenan, medical director of Nova Medical and Urgent Care Center in Ashburn, Va. "I hope that it never is seen as a replacement for a handshake in the business community."
Sweet: Obama cover tasteless, fascinating story
On point in McCook Arbitron's last old-fashioned radio ratings McDonald's returns to profitability in 2nd-quarter United to lay off employees, trim flights to cut losses