"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Woman rescued seconds before home collapses >> Video

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 05:00 PM PST

Ron Shockley was working on a damaged cable in Park Forest when he heard a loud blast that shook his work tent. Then a woman began screaming.

Emanuel takes commanding lead

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 05:52 PM PST

Rahm Emanuel is out front in the Chicago mayor's race tonight. With 81 percent of precincts counted, Emanuel had 54.9 percent to 24.5 percent for Gery Chico. Emanuel is trying to score more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff election on April 5.

Wis. governor: 'Dire consequences'

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 04:20 PM PST

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says failing to pass a bill stripping union rights for Wisconsin public workers would have "dire consequences."

Bulls deal 2009 top pick Johnson to Raptors

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 03:12 PM PST

Police: Suspect in bat beating kills self

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 02:44 PM PST

Limbaugh criticizes Michelle Obama's weight

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 02:09 PM PST

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Rush Limbaugh is talking smack about First Lady Michelle Obama's weight? Rush Limbaugh? And Michelle "you-can-cut-glass-with-my-chiseled-biceps" Obama? As you well know, Michelle Obama has been taking plenty of criticism from the right for her nutritional campaign to encourage kids to move more and eat healthier fare. Joining her in the campaign is retail giant Wal-Mart, which recently announced it would begin reducing the sodium and fat in many of its prepared foods. Listen to the audio, above, as Limbaugh ridicules Michelle Obama's healthy-eating campaign, flat out calls her a "hypocrite." On one hand, Limbaugh said, she is encouraging children to get healthy and eat "roots, berries, and tree bark" but was recently seen enjoying a high-calorie meal of fatty ribs. The conservative radio talk show host took it further when he wondered whether Michelle Obama was even following her own words of wisdom, and remarked that she couldn't stack up against the women in the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. "The problem is, and dare I say this, it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice...I'm trying to say that our First Lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or of a woman Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you." So, what do you think? I especially want to hear from the dittoheads (are they still called that?). Do you think Limbaugh went too far with his comments? Or do you chalk this up to the liberal media's favorite pastime: Criticizing Rush. But more importantly, do you think Michelle Obama is a hypocrite? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below. And then, let's wait for the next turn in this story: The media peppering President Obama for his reaction. (Should the president challenge Limbaugh to join him on the White House lawn for a fist fight to defend his wife's honor.) --Rene Lynch twitter.com/renelynch

Lake Co. coroner resigns

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 02:13 PM PST

Charges stemmed from probe of methadone clinic

Lake County Coroner Richard Keller resigned today after pleading guilty to two felony charges stemming from an investigation of a death at a methadone clinic.

Woman rescued seconds before home collapses >> Video

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 03:13 PM PST

An explosion rocked a residential neighborhood in Park Forest around noon today and crews were on the scene assessing the damage.

Somali pirates kill 4 Americans

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 12:00 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States strongly condemned the killing of four U.S. citizens by Somali pirates off East Africa on Tuesday and urged the world to work to bring maritime criminals to justice.

Somali pirates kill 4 American boaters

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 08:55 AM PST

Somali pirates shoot two couples, from California and Seattle, who had been on an around-the-world sailing trip when they were taken hostage off of Oman.

WASHINGTON — A California couple and two other Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates were mortally wounded Tuesday morning by their captors, shortly before a U.S. special operations team boarded the hijacked vessel, killed two of the pirates and captured the rest, U.S. military officials said.

Family of hit-and-run victim wants 'justice'

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 11:24 AM PST

Ann Sconza was battling a drug problem and was out of work for several years, her family says.

Apple tops in movie placement

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 11:25 AM PST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Apple was deemed top of the product placement charts on Tuesday after getting its computers, iPads, iPods and other items featured in 30 percent of the top movies at the U.S. box office in 2010.

Fatal DUI case in Steger goes to jury

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 10:06 AM PST

Before jurors began deliberations in a case involving a drunken driving crash that killed a 5-year-old boy, defense attorney Jeff Tomczak asked jurors this morning to consider how Cecil Conner found himself behind the wheel.

Libyan leader vows to crush protesters

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 09:10 AM PST

In a lengthy address on state TV, Moammar Kadafi calls protesters against his regime a variety of names and urges his supporters to help the military crush the uprising.

A defiant Libyan strongman Moammar Kadafi vowed Tuesday not to resign and denounced the anti-government protesters who have challenged his regime as "greasy rats" and "drug-fueled mice" who deserve to be executed.

Indiana Dems also flee state

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 01:09 PM PST

Democratic lawmakers in Indiana have left the House chamber -- and apparently are leaving the state like their colleagues in Wisconsin -- rather than vote on anti-union legislation.

Wis. gov warns of layoffs if standoff continues

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 10:15 AM PST

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker warned today that state employees could start receiving layoff notices as early as next week if a bill eliminating most collective bargaining rights isn't passed soon.

Chicago home prices fall to new post-bust low

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 07:10 AM PST

Officials: 4 hijacked U.S. boaters killed by pirates

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 06:27 AM PST

(CNN) -- Four Americans on board a yacht hijacked by pirates last week are dead, according to a defense official with knowledge of military activities in the region.

Wal-Mart in worst sales slump

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 07:22 AM PST

Voters head out to pick next mayor

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 10:15 AM PST

Chicagoans were going to the polls today to select a mayor from a roster of candidates that, for the first time in 22 years, doesn't include Richard M. Daley. The big question is whether frontrunner Rahm Emanuel can get the 50 percent plus one vote he needs to avoid a runoff election April 5.