Metro & Tri-state 'The Tragic Wives' of Drew Ebert honored at gala Blast kills elderly couple, destroys Frankfort home Wheaton hostage suspect shot himself in head Troop 990 has a trailblazing leader $32M in cleanup costs complicate Reese deal Six killed in weekend violence on South Side Girl, 4, mauled by neighbor's pit bull is 'doing better' Illinois kindergarten golfer has ace Man shot multiple times on SW Side Police Board cases Meet the Chicago Police Board

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Wheaton hostage suspect shot himself in head Six killed in weekend violence on South Side Man shot multiple times on SW Side Student, 19, found slain in basement of his home Man killed in possible gang shooting in Englewood $50K bail set for Ryan Harris Man critical after South Side shooting Education 'A low-grade fear' hangs over NIU Getting the loans

Sports Damned if they don't, defense must rise up Brad Biggs: The quarterback derby. Brian Urlacher's contract. Devin Hester's holdout-turned-into-a-contract. Chris Williams' achy, breaky back.
It's as easy as 1-2-3 Lou Piniella put a rookie in right field, scrapped his preference for two lefties in the lineup and then promised more changes if the team didn't start hitting and the losses didn't stop raining on the Cubs' season. ''Let me tell you, when it rains, it pours,'' he said Saturday afternoon. ''Well, it's pouring right now, I can tell you.''

Thome has a blast No team in baseball is in as envious a position as the Los Angeles Angels, likely only days away from clinching the first playoff spot of the 2008 season. ''Who couldn't manage that club,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Saturday of the team guided by Mike Scioscia, a manager Guillen in fact respects.

Lifestyles Fair Oaks, Ind.: Cows on parade Where does milk come from? The Jewel, right? Dominick's, maybe? OK. OK. Even we urbanites know that milk comes from cows, of course. But where do cows come from? Anybody familiar with the birds and the bees can answer that one, too. But our notion of exactly how that happens is kind of hazy. No wonder: A century ago, about one out of three Americans lived on farms. Today, less than 2 percent of us do. But here at Fair Oaks Farms, off Interstate 65 between Chicago and Indianapolis, how a cow comes to be is revealed in fascinating detail, right down to a presentation of an actual birth.

Hand-shaped state offers plenty of hands-on agricultural experiences
At Home Interior Affairs: Wall-to-wall timekeeping Most oaks in area are at least 160 years old Religion Why did God allow another Gulf disaster? Ali, Farrakhan honor Elijah Muhammad's son Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for Sept. 7 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for September 7 Georgia's predictions for the week of Sept. 7

Entertainment Fall theater preview: The 20th century rocks Take a panoramic look at any theater season and you will be able to spot (or impose) trends. The 2008-09 season is no exception, though a trend might be most visible when considering the array of musicals set for stages here this fall. Think of it as a study in the full meaning of Americana. Of course the musical is a uniquely American art form to begin with, but peruse the list below and you easily can construct an intriguing picture of this country -- at least as it existed in the mid 20th century, that epoch dubbed the "American century."

Fall dance preview: Troupes put best feet forward 'Equus,' 'Billy Elliot,' lead fall Braodway lineup
Weekend Leading ladies take 'Stand' against cancer My kind of gown Fall films offer plenty to sink your teeth into Books Chicago Lit: 'Travel Writing' by Evanston author Peter Ferry Review: 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' by Muriel Barbery Review: 'Legally Dead' by Edna Buchanan Classical Classical music preview: Big names take the baton Stage Fall theater preview: The 20th century rocks Fall dance preview: Troupes put best feet forward The padre from 'MASH' dons a different collar Galleries

Business Candidates weigh in on stabilizing Fannie, Freddie The historic takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could come as soon as Sunday, moved to the forefront of the presidential campaign Saturday as candidates and congressional leaders seized on the enormous implications for taxpayers and the economy. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac together hold or back half of the nation's mortgage debt, and have played an increasingly important role in the real estate market since the credit crisis started in August 2007. A government bailout could cost taxpayers around $25 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Government may soon back Fannie, Freddie
Talks fail; machinists strike Boeing Co. Brill Street's search even takes it to Facebook, MySpace A different approach to high yield Ike blasts Turks and Caicos as Category 4 storm