Metro & Tri-state Feds: Chicago cop took bribes Drew's pals wore wire Trial set for Anthony Abbate Five contestants left in bid for the Cubs Minivan carrying kids crashes into Stevenson wall Toddler shot by BB gun in Humboldt Park Plan to use private cameras to help city surveillance Board members try in vain to repeal tax increase Schools budget balanced without higher taxes Steve Bartman offered $25,000 for one autograph Man dies in crane collapse O'Hare Blue Line work finishing early City expects $50M. in red-light fines Fist bump means business

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Feds: Chicago cop took bribes Trial set for Anthony Abbate Man charged in string of South Side burglaries Former teacher sentenced for fondling students Education Schools budget balanced without higher taxes Former teacher sentenced for fondling students

Sports Hester runs from Bears ... And who can blame him? Jay Mariotti: He didn’t posture and break off talks, as Tommie Harris did. He didn’t hiss and moan like a child and threaten to blow off training camp, as Brian Urlacher did. Even on the spring day when Robbie Gould — a terrific kicker but, still, a kicker — cashed in for a cool $15.5 million, Devin Hester didn’t whine publicly about the farcical injustice that his own contract had become.

Guillen ejection sparks comeback Yemaya 3 is paid for, sailing proudly off the shores of Ozzie Guillen's home whenever he returns to Venezuela for some downtime. As for The Four O's, Guillen's Miami toy, well, after Wednesday, he still owes on the boat. And at this rate, it might be some time before he finally can call it all his own.

Hester plays hardball With news of his absence from training camp blaring from a sports talk station in the background, Devin Hester said he's prepared to dig in for the long haul. As in the entire 2008 season. The most dynamic return man in NFL history -- and a guy who would have run with the first team at wide receiver had he attended the Bears' first practice Wednesday -- wants more money.

Lifestyles Seasonal drinks fresh from your own garden Tending to peppers, cultivating tomatoes, pruning herbs to bushy perfection -- these are all idyllic experiences that define the early days of summer. When the motherload finally hits, kitchen counters and refrigerator crispers are full to capacity. Blenders are caked with the pungent remnants of pesto.

Tomato mojitonico with opal basil Red ginger Blue crush Asian coin toss
At Home Interior Affairs: How to be over the top in a good way Morton Arboretum: Build fort for kids while they're young Religion Texas grand jury indicts polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs 350,000 see pope Down Under Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for July 23 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for July 23 Astrological questions

Entertainment Kanye West and MTV making vets' dreams come true Chicago rapper Kanye West has joined forces with MTV for the documentary ‘‘Choose or Lose & Kanye West present: Homecoming,’’ the next installment of the ‘‘Choose or Lose’’ campaign, which tells the stories of war veterans and the difficulties they face once they return home.
Kanye West going back to class: anger management Welcome to the Lollapalooza stage ... Obama?!
Books ‘Rotten’ guy from Mundelein writes about paradise Doug M. Cummings for 'Every Secret Crime' In toon with life Classical Lang Lang shows serious artistry in performance with CSO Stage 'Esperanza' deftly explores loss and salvation Heartfelt 'Fast Forward' speeds actors' growth Eclipse Theatre's revival of 'Plaza' is worth checking out

Business Fist bump means business The handshake may always have a firm grip on business, but the fist bump is making inroads -- albeit in the face of some resistance. "I have not encountered a fist bump and would judge anyone who tried it as a total redneck," said Dr. Grace Keenan, medical director of Nova Medical and Urgent Care Center in Ashburn, Va. "I hope that it never is seen as a replacement for a handshake in the business community."
Sweet: Obama cover tasteless, fascinating story
On point in McCook Arbitron's last old-fashioned radio ratings McDonald's returns to profitability in 2nd-quarter United to lay off employees, trim flights to cut losses