Metro & Tri-state Urban League challenges school funding Rezko sentencing delayed Plan to sell railway picks up some steam Daley not sold on lowering drinking age Second sentencing Thursday for 'North Side rapist' Federal hiriing monitor eyes city layoffs, too Lake County Sheriff sentences himself to jail Cicero shooting ends with residential takeover Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school 81 new firefighters are first group from '06 test One dead, one wounded in South Chicago shooting Local teen goes to Hollywood with gridiron heroics Should train conductors know CPR? Fellow officers mourn off-duty cop shot last week

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Cicero shooting ends with residential takeover Second sentencing Thursday for 'North Side rapist' Fellow officers mourn off-duty cop shot last week Lake County Sheriff sentences himself to jail One dead, one wounded in South Chicago shooting Landlord, 77, attacked with burning chemical Man drags pit bull with car: cops Education Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school Urban League challenges school funding

Sports 'Lightning' Bolt's gold medal act a breath of fresh air Jay Mariotti: He's a showboat, a hot dog and a clown, the sprinting version of Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens, all those things that cause Bob Costas and the purists to cringe. And thank God for that, by the way. Because if it wasn't for the show-business flair of Usain Bolt, we merely would know him as that fast guy who became the first man ever to break world records in the 100 and 200 meters at the same Olympics.
Harden-ed by his critics Cubs right-hander Rich Harden wants to set the record straight. Check that. He specifically says he doesn't want to set the record straight. It seems he has been there, done that enough times for his taste. If people want to believe Harden is injury-prone or not tough enough for the annual rigors of big-league pitching, he's not going to argue.
Step up for Richard As long as the bats stay hot, White Sox worries about a fifth starter can stay on the back burner. Or, if rookie Clayton Richard's performance Tuesday is a true indication of his readiness, the worry might dissipate altogether.

Lifestyles Chicagoan betters city by building African schools Zeleke Gessesse makes Chicago shine as a compassionate city through the care it shows for young people in Africa. The reggae musician and Lincoln Park resident is the co-founder with Ziggy Marley of One Love Africa.

Photos: 50 people who make Chicago better Work with troupers a barrel of laughs City kids get lessons in life skills She's determined to promote fitness
At Home Interior Affairs: Chinese design, American Style Weather's seedy side brings avalanche Religion Controversial pastor lands job at Orland Hills church Miracles right before our eyes can be overlooked Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for August 20 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for August 20 Astrological topics

Entertainment An old-school 'Rocker' you'll feel like stoning The washed-up drummer Rainn Wilson plays in "The Rocker" is an off-putting eccentric like his dweeb Dwight Schrute on "The Office." But were he to find his bass pedal encased in Jell-O, a Schrutish slow burn would not follow. "Fish" Fishman is a wilder variety of weirdo; do him wrong, and he'll use those sticks as spikes to scale your speeding van.

Books Southern exposure Memoirs of a fortysomething Olympic hopeful Obama book falls victim to booksellers' rivalry Classical Beaux Arts Trio bows out in style Stage Chicago Dancing Festival celebrated at Harris Steppenwolf launches biweekly podcasts A fresh twist on Victorian satire

Business Sonic gets big welcome Julie and Kara Salanicky are true connoisseurs of the Sonic brand, and their dedication proves it. The Oswego sisters have made several long trips to Peoria -- up until Tuesday the nearest place to score messy Coney dogs and more than 168,000 drink combinations via car hop service -- before the grand opening of Aurora's own Sonic drive-in diner at Kirk and Butterfield roads. It's the first Sonic in the Chicago area.
Photos: Sonic rolls into town Taste testing Sonic's Cherry Limeade
Could Tribune Tower go residential? Living within her means has paid off big-time Chicago showcases award-winning chefs Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac shares plummet