Metro & Tri-state Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school Federal hiriing monitor eyes city layoffs, too Plan to sell railway picks up some steam Cicero shooting ends with residential takeover 81 new firefighters are first group from '06 test One dead, one wounded in South Chicago shooting Local teen goes to Hollywood with gridiron heroics Should train conductors know CPR? Fellow officers mourn off-duty cop shot last week Chicagoan betters city by building African schools City agrees to arbitrator on firearms test for FOP leaders Senate Dems scramble for Jones' job Controversial pastor lands job at Orland Hills church Living within her means has paid off big-time Landlord, 77, attacked with burning chemical

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Cicero shooting ends with residential takeover Fellow officers mourn off-duty cop shot last week One dead, one wounded in South Chicago shooting Landlord, 77, attacked with burning chemical Education Kids urged to attend, skip first day of school Chicagoan betters city by building African schools

Sports Harden-ed by his critics Cubs right-hander Rich Harden wants to set the record straight. Check that. He specifically says he doesn't want to set the record straight. It seems he has been there, done that enough times for his taste. If people want to believe Harden is injury-prone or not tough enough for the annual rigors of big-league pitching, he's not going to argue.

Step up for Richard As long as the bats stay hot, White Sox worries about a fifth starter can stay on the back burner. Or, if rookie Clayton Richard's performance Tuesday is a true indication of his readiness, the worry might dissipate altogether.

Close, but never made Before the Bears decided to re-sign Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs in the offseason, they chose to part ways with him. At the heart of that issue is the imbroglio they found themselves in with the San Francisco 49ers last year -- a messy tampering case that went all the way to the commissioner's office.

Lifestyles Chicagoan betters city by building African schools Zeleke Gessesse makes Chicago shine as a compassionate city through the care it shows for young people in Africa. The reggae musician and Lincoln Park resident is the co-founder with Ziggy Marley of One Love Africa. Since its inception 12 years ago, the nonprofit Chicago-based group has raised funds to build and open 10 schools that now provide education to more than 15,000 youngsters annually in Ethiopia.
Photos: 50 people who make Chicago better Work with troupers a barrel of laughs City kids get lessons in life skills She's determined to promote fitness
At Home Interior Affairs: Chinese design, American Style Weather's seedy side brings avalanche Religion Controversial pastor lands job at Orland Hills church Miracles right before our eyes can be overlooked Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for August 20 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for August 20 Astrological topics

Entertainment Smart money's on Keke Cindy Pearlman: Keke Palmer is no long shot. Hollywood actually considers her a sure bet. Just ask her grandmother Mildred. "My grandmother knows how to brag," said the 14-year-old triple threat from south suburban Robbins who is conquering TV, movies and music. "She even has a picture of my new movie 'The Longshots' on her front door."

Photos: Jasmine on the gridiron Local teen goes to Hollywood with gridiron heroics
Books Southern exposure Memoirs of a fortysomething Olympic hopeful Obama book falls victim to booksellers' rivalry Classical Beaux Arts Trio bows out in style Stage Chicago Dancing Festival celebrated at Harris Chat live with Hedy Weiss and guest Steppenwolf launches biweekly podcasts

Business Sonic gets big welcome Julie and Kara Salanicky are true connoisseurs of the Sonic brand, and their dedication proves it. The Oswego sisters have made several long trips to Peoria -- up until Tuesday the nearest place to score messy Coney dogs and more than 168,000 drink combinations via car hop service -- before the grand opening of Aurora's own Sonic drive-in diner at Kirk and Butterfield roads. It's the first Sonic in the Chicago area.

Photos: Sonic rolls into town Taste testing Sonic's Cherry Limeade
Could Tribune Tower go residential? Living within her means has paid off big-time Chicago showcases award-winning chefs Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac shares plummet