Metro & Tri-state Weekend begins with shootings citywide Judge bars media from R. Kelly files Chicago rockers OK Go meet up with fans Off-duty officer involved in shooting Multiple killings push April homicides to 47 Teen's death probed as murder by neglect City cleared in E2 disaster 9th DUI conviction gets man 20 yrs. in prison

STNG Video View more local videos Tony Rezko Trial Jurors urged to weigh who Rezko talked to Rezko jurors submit first question to the court Chicago 24/7 Crime Weekend begins with shootings citywide Daley aim of cougar arson Man sentenced to 23 years in child abuse case Man convicted of 9 DUI gets 20 years in prison Off-duty officer involved in shooting Education Striking the right chord Planned Minuteman visit roils DePaul

Sports Briggs' disturbing twist: Too much baby-mama drama Jay Mariotti: Laughing in the Wrigley Field press box, thrilled that he didn't sink to Tony Romo-like horrors as a seventh-inning singer, Lance Briggs is trying to help a worthy cause on a sunny afternoon. He's hosting 10 kids from the Boys Hope, Girls Hope Center of Chicago.

Pitching plus power = W As well as the Cubs' offense is performing -- from leadoff man Alfonso Soriano's extraordinary week to rookie catcher Geovany Soto's matching power display -- manager Lou Piniella might be happiest about what he saw Friday from a rookie starting pitcher.

Ramirez's first career homer lifts White Sox Ozzie Guillen explained to rookie Alexei Ramirez his transition from Cuban baseball to the big leagues could take time and the challenges would be great. Filling in for injured second baseman Juan Uribe, Ramirez provided the hit of the game.

Lifestyles Chicago rockers OK Go meet up with fans Chicago's own treadmill-boogying band OK Go performed a different sort of exercise Friday when they stopped by the campus of Northwestern University to talk about songwriting. The Grammy-winning quartet also took questions from a surprisingly sparse but enthusiastic audience, who asked about the band's favorite tunes, the recording process and whether bad reviews affected artistry.

At Home Morton Arboretum: Win the war on weeds Interior Affairs: Therapy session Religion Facebook reconnects life's circle of faith She's 1st Jewish graduate of Catholic Union Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for May 17 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for May 17 Astrological questions

Entertainment Hudson has new single, role in 'Sex and the City' South Side native Jennifer Hudson has pursued acting and singing with equal zeal since winning an Oscar for her role in "Dreamgirls." She is working on her first solo album, due Sept. 30. Her first single, ‘‘Spotlight,’’ arrives this month. Then she appears in the big-screen debut of "Sex and the City."

Sarah Jessica Parker: Carrie's the fashion slave, not me
Weekend On the street where they live: 'Avenue Q' Ticketline The mix: Really cool things to do Books Author of baby care bible finds new drive Call Oprah: James Frey is back — with a novel Are Cubs fans like entrepreneurs? Classical CSO, Haitink revel in Carnegie's warmth Stage Eddie Izzard sums up world history in laughter On the street where they live: 'Avenue Q' Stage notes

Business No futures at Wacker Never doubt that Chicago futures traders can be sentimental. Friday, on the last day of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's trading floor operation on Wacker Drive, traders and exchange employees brought their own cameras to record the historic occasion. There were manful hugs as the traders in livestock and pork bellies prepared to reopen for business Monday in a new home at the Chicago Board of Trade.

US Airways pilots union disapproves of possible United combo More pain at the pump: Shoe prices jump Oil sets record near $128; pump price at high, too Rice futures fall on improved supply outlook