Deborah Douglas writes, "Like most weapons, the word has been turned against its original users, and is now used by some African Americans as a term of endearment, chastisement, or like Jackson, an assumption of groupthink." (Sun-Times file)Jail horrors are a moral crime
Woman shot by muggers in West Loop
Dahl, Stern again fall short in Radio Hall of Fame
Who's laughing at Dempster now? No one at all
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Inland makes bid for Wrigley Field
Jail horrors are a moral crime
Woman shot by muggers in West Loop
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Did Ledger get lost in role?
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As the hunted, do the White Sox consider the Minnesota Twins or Detroit Tigers the more worrisome pursuer? ''Both,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''They have good talent. They are going to be in it. ''I never said it will be us at the beginning. I say it will be good competition. I just worry about Kansas City right now."
Maybe the Cubs got too much rest during the All-Star break. Maybe too many of them got no rest. Either way, the lineup picked up Friday where it left off Sunday -- which is to say, it didn't pick up much at all as the Cubs opened their post-break schedule with a 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park that included a four-hit clunker by the hitters.
With all the major announcements the Blackhawks have made in the last few months, it seemed unlikely they could save one for their first fan convention. Actually, the Hawks didn't save just one. They had two for the estimated 3,000 wildly cheering fans who squeezed into the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago Hotel.
If it's broke, don't fix it. That's the attitude of Sandy Williams, who's opted not to get work done on her Toyota Camry in the wake of "ridiculous" gas prices. Her car has been out of commission since March.
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Stroke is primarily a concern of older adults. But cases of childhood stroke are growing more common, the American Heart Association said Thursday as it released its first-ever guidelines for how to recognize and treat stroke in infants and children. It’s among the top 10 causes of death for children. Still, “most people, including physicians, don’t think that strokes occur in children,” said Dr. Jose Biller, part of the 11-member panel of doctors who drafted the guidelines. 
Jim DeRogatis: Given the adventurous bookings, the fan-friendly environment of Union Park and most of all the inviting vibe created by the dedicated members of this city's musical underground, the Pitchfork Music Festival remains the most exciting of any of Chicago's sonic summer celebrations.
Unemployment surged in Illinois in June to 6.8 percent, the highest level in 15 years, rising from 5 percent a year earlier. The rate was up from 6.4 percent in May and exceeded the nation's 5.5 percent June unemployment rate, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said Thursday. The biggest job losses in the state were suffered by those working in construction, down 7,200, and in manufacturing and financial activities, down 6,600 each. Losses were also seen in some service jobs and the government sector. 
The Giants created the year's defining sports moment by knocking off the previously undefeated Patriots in February. While an encore seems unlikely, New York again should be in the thick of things in the NFC East. They lost three notable defensive players, but none of that should matter much to fantasy teams. Eli Manning is still throwing to Plaxico Burress, and Brandon Jacobs is still hammering in touchdowns from the one-yard line.
Bids for Cubs, Wrigley Field rolling in
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'Mamma Mia' leaves its actors a bit stranded
