Metro & Tri-state Drew's lawyer rips cops for harassment Garrett Popcorn closing Michigan Avenue store Free loans for Jones New round of corruption charges hits Chicago City pothole patrol leaps into action Why your pain at the pump won't get any easier Card game at party may have led to man's death Gunman heard on Lane Bryant 911 call

STNG Video View more local videos Tony Rezko Trial Rezko blog: Jury leaving early today Jurors urged to weigh who Rezko talked to Chicago 24/7 Crime Lawyer charged with smuggling drugs into jail Police probe two Uptown shootings New round of corruption charges hits Chicago Card game at party may have led to man's death Man attempts to punch firefighter after rescue Education Garner, Affleck sign up for W.Va. fundraiser Harry Potter 101

Sports Cubs still need work; Hoffpauir promising Seven weeks into a season of raised expectations, Cubs manager Lou Piniella still is trying to figure out exactly what he has on his roster. And while he learned a few things the hard way Wednesday in Houston, he might be on the verge of some possible answers when it comes to the left-handed-hitting issues in his lineup.

Leaner Benson ready to run It has been a rough go for the Bears' 2005 draft class. Running back Cedric Benson hasn't justified his status as the No. 4 pick and faces off-field scrutiny to go with real competition from rookie Matt Forte. Wide receiver Mark Bradley, meanwhile, has been injured or mired on the depth chart most of the time since being picked in the second round in '05.

Before making pick, Pax needs head coach Jay Mariotti: Oh, so now it's time for John Paxson to be counterintuitive, which is one of those pseudo-intellectual catchwords for doing things butt-backwards. Rather oddly, he's in absolutely no hurry to hire a head coach. There would seem to be urgency surrounding the matter, considering he hasn't had a coach for five weeks, infamously lost his fave candidate in Mike D'Antoni and now is armed with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Lifestyles Amputee's stolen van replaced by free SUV Wensdae Williams is tired of crying. But she couldn't stop the tears Wednesday at her first glimpse of the sparkling Jeep Grand Cherokee. The used SUV is a gift from the owner of a car dealership who was moved by a Chicago Sun-Times story about the theft of Williams' van from her handicapped parking space.
Thief swipes amputee's van, wheelchair
At Home Morton Arboretum: Win the war on weeds Interior Affairs: Therapy session Religion Child welfare authorities return to polygamous sect ranch Why the notion of apocalypse is so appealing Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for May 22 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for May 22

Entertainment Cook crowned 'Idol' winner So much for a judge-sanctioned knockout by David Archuleta. After 97.5 million votes were counted, David Cook emerged the winner by a margin of 12 million on Wednesday's finale of "American Idol." "I started this season, much to Simon's chagrin, as the word nerd," Cook said, fighting back tears after being declared the champ.

ZabaSearch announces winner as show starts TV blog: American Idol is crowned
Books Zane Grey's cabin to stay open to all Harry Potter 101 Down but not out Classical Lyric packs 'em in for year Stage Truth is in the eyes of all who behold artist's story Stage notes 'Wicked' to close in 2009 after record-setting run

Business Ethanol turmoil a serious threat to some companies Not long ago, the fledgling ethanol industry was the darling of investors, farmers, the federal government and a lot of Americans who liked the idea of turning corn into fuel. But suddenly, it doesn't have nearly as many friends. Rising worldwide food prices and shortages have spurred calls in Congress to roll back the federal requirement that increases the amount of ethanol and other biofuels blended with the nation's gasoline supply.

Garrett Popcorn closing Michigan Avenue store Ol' Uncle Lar returns to WLS Retiree takes a hike to fight rising price of gas Stocks advance after two-day plunge; oil off highs