"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Indie bookstores survive

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:23 PM PST

One big-box book retailer, Borders, has toppled into bankruptcy protection. Another, Barnes & Noble, reportedly is for sale. E-books and amazon.com are changing the fundamentals of how people read and buy books. But some independent stores are hanging on, though their death was predicted long ago.

Man arrested on gun charge at O'Hare

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 03:40 PM PST

Aurora resident tried to pass through security with handgun, ammunition, screeners say

An Aurora businessman arrested at O'Hare International Airport after security screeners said they spotted a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag was ordered held in lieu of $25,000 bail Friday.

Man charged with threat against Burke

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:45 PM PST

Unemployed Southwest Side man charged

An unemployed Southwest Side man was charged with making a veiled death threat to longtime Ald. Edward Burke in a telephone message to the alderman's ward office. >> Video

Protesters in Loop block traffic

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:43 PM PST

About 11 protesters were arrested in the Loop this afternoon after they were blocking traffic and refused to disperse, police said.

White House preparing stiff sanctions against Libya | Photos

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:05 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced sweeping new sanctions on Libya's government and temporarily abandoned its embassy in Tripoli on Friday, as a final flight carrying American citizens departed from the war-ravaged capital.

Groupon's revenue surged to $760 million last year

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 12:32 PM PST

Freight derailment slows trains on 2 Metra lines

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 12:51 PM PST

Trains on two west and northwest suburban Metra lines are running 10 to 15 minutes late and commuters who park at the River Grove station may have to get off at Elmwood Park to get their cars, an agency spokeswoman said.

Man held in threats against Ald. Burke

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 11:57 AM PST

Bond was set at $25,000 today for an unemployed Southwest Side man charged with making veiled death threats in telephone calls to the ward office of longtime Ald. Edward Burke, 14th. >> Video

U.S. suspends Libya embassy, prepares sanctions | Photos

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 11:46 AM PST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has suspended embassy operations in Libya and is moving forward with unilateral sanctions against the government of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Friday.

Star investigator facing layoff

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 11:55 AM PST

Public defender's employee was named nation's top investigator 2 years ago for helping to free man wrongly imprisoned for murder

Two years ago, Noel Zupancic was named the nation's top investigator for her work on the case that freed a man after he had served 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. In a few weeks, Zupancic could be out of a job due to Cook County budget cuts.

Immigration agent acquitted in suburban bar fight case

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 08:49 AM PST

A federal immigration agent has been acquitted of a charge that he acted recklessly when he fired off two pistol rounds to break up a bar fight in West Dundee.

Libyan leader vows to "triumph over the enemy"

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 09:27 AM PST

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Friday vowed defiantly to triumph over his enemies, urging his supporters in Tripoli's Green Square to protect Libya and its petroleum interests.

Metra chief unveils plan to improve beleaguered agency

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 10:45 AM PST

Metra's new executive director on Friday unveiled what he called his "action plan" for attacking shortcomings at the agency that two recent reports blamed on his longtime predecessor, Phil Pagano.

Chicago gas prices spike overnight

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:49 AM PST

Single-game Cubs tickets go on sale today >> Video

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 09:30 AM PST

Fans wrapped around Wrigley Field this morning as single-game tickets went on sale.

Cook County to repeal sales tax hike

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 11:11 AM PST

The Cook County Board today voted to repeal the remaining half of a controversial sales tax increase by 2013, locking in the campaign promise of new board President Toni Preckwinkle.

'I'm out': Hendon abruptly quits state Senate >> Video

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 06:02 PM PST

Outspoken pol doesn't say if resignation is tied to federal probe

SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. Rickey Hendon, a flamboyant former West Side alderman known for his nickname "Hollywood" and his controversial mouth, abruptly quit Thursday.

Bears coach gets new contract

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:12 PM PST

Bears head coach Lovie Smith and Halas Hall agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep Smith through the 2013 season, rewarding him for this year's unexpected appearance in the NFC title game. >> Video

The Fast Fix: Obama’s pump problem (The Newsroom)

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 05:42 AM PST

The Newsroom - Will rising gas prices hurt Obama politically? Get The Fix in your e-mail inbox! Click here to sign-up for the Morning Fix newsletter. Click here for the Afternoon Fix newsletter. Follow The Fix on Twitter @thefix or @thehyperfix.

Cops: Nanny cam catches choking, shaking of toddler

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 03:01 PM PST

A Northwest Side woman was charged early today with aggravated battery of a 15-month-old girl after the girl's parents used a hidden camera to catch her choking and shaking the toddler, police said.