Metro & Tri-state Alderman gets powder-filled letter Chicago's 'North Side rapist' gets 90 years Wardens don't care that you used to be the governor Daley: School funding suit better than boycott Ex-North Side pastor jailed over church theft Chicago area jobless rate hits 7.5% Marijuana hunt is on in National Lakeshore Bond set at $2M for man accused of shaking child Man killed in West Side shooting Tempel Steel expanding in city, leaving suburb Daley not sold on lowering drinking age Two men, one boy shot on Far South Side Lawsuit: Funding system violates civil rights Durbin proposes bill to replace, rehab Amtrak trains

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Alderman gets powder-filled letter Man killed in West Side shooting Two men, one boy shot on Far South Side Wardens don't care that you used to be the governor Chicago's 'North Side rapist' gets 90 years Bond set at $2M for man accused of shaking child Ex-North Side pastor jailed over church theft Education Lawsuit: Funding system violates civil rights Past 'separate and unequal' lawsuits failed

Sports Big Z not at his best, but pitch-hits Cubs to series win The Cubs have won seven consecutive series after hanging on for a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds today at Wrigley Field. Carlos Zambrano gave up just one run and drove one in with a home run. Zambrano wasn't at his best on the mound, but he battled for the victory.

Hammon and other mercenaries defeat Olympic purpose Jay Mariotti: She fought tears as the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' played, placing a hand over her heart while swaying nervously. Here was a ponytailed young woman from the plains, as quintessentially American as the fashion labels and junk food and MTV vibes so evident in China, fulfilling a childhood dream as she stood for the national anthem at the Olympics.

Improving Ramirez part of White Sox power surge The entire White Sox lineup has been clicking, but Alexei Ramirez has been especially hot. He hit a three-run homer in the first, making it 15 consecutive games he has reached base. During a longer stretch, the emerging American League Rookie of the Year candidate has hit .334 (100-for-299) with 13 homers and 50 RBI in 80 games since May 18.

Lifestyles Feds release online database with death rates Need a new car? Check out consumer safety ratings. Feeling chest pain? Now health-care consumers can review hospital mortality rates for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia. On Wednesday, the federal government released an online searchable database of hospital death rate estimates at more than 4,300 hospitals nationwide.

Compare hospitals for yourself
At Home Interior Affairs: Chinese design, American Style Weather's seedy side brings avalanche Religion Family of alleged McCormack victim sues archdiocese Ex-North Side pastor jailed over church theft Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for August 21 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for August 21 Astrological topics

Entertainment Backstreet's back — but now there are four

They may be older, wiser and short one original member, but the Backstreet Boys are still a hot ticket. Reserved seats for their concert at Ravinia are sold out, and the remaining lawn tickets are going fast.

Backstreet's back — but now there are four 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 Latin music stars put on explosive performances Chat live with Hedy Weiss and guest Chicago Dancing Festival celebrated at Harris

Business Abbott Labs cutting jobs Abbott Laboratories plans to cut 1,000 jobs, including some in Lake County, as part of a restructuring of its diagnostic business, which has been growing. Once the plan is implemented over the next three-and-a-half years, it will streamline global manufacturing operations, the company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday. North Chicago-based Abbott said cuts will be made globally, but declined to say how many jobs will be cut locally.

Chicago area jobless rate hits 7.5% Tempel Steel expanding in city, leaving suburb
You, too, can sell Chicago Bay Harbour wins bid to buy Steve & Barry's Sears marketing chief leaves Tempel Steel expanding in city, leaving suburb