Both Northern Illinois University and Truman College were evacuated today due to bomb threats, but both are back to business as usual now. more ›

A 34-year old DeKalb man named William Curl has been charged in the death of NIU student Antinette "Toni" Keller. Curl was a person of interest to the police because he was a frequent visitor to Prairie Park, where Keller's remains were found, and also possibly because he reported a fire in the woods near the park where Keller told her friends she would be. more ›

College Football more ›

Cubs Trip Up Cards more ›

The Sox take a step forward one night and then the next they take a step back. After picking up a game on the Twins on Friday, the Sox got routed by the Royals last night 8-2 and subsequently lost that game back to Minnesota. Edwin Jackson struggled on the hill for the Sox, giving up 13 hits and 6 runs to Kansas City while the Sox offense didn't produce much of anything in the way of offense, hitting only 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base. Said A.J. Pierzynski, "Just one of those things. It goes up and down, and we had eight hits tonight, scored a couple of runs. We had some chances, and we just didn't get it done." The Sox hope to bounce back and get it done in the series finale today before the Twins come calling - the Sox last chance to make a run at the division - later this week (1:05 p.m., CSN). more ›

If you've ever been curious about the concept and creation behind the four-audio-channel-demanding glory/mess of Zaireeka, or want to know why AC/DC rocks so hard on Highway to Hell, the good folks at Quimby's Bookstore would like to drop some knowledge on you with one of their always-excellent in-store readings. more ›

White Sox Sweep Double-Header With Red Sox more ›

While we still wait to see if Northwestern ever manages to schedule that game at Wrigley, we at least know of another college football tilt that'll take place in Chicago. It was announced today that the Iowa Hawkeyes will battle the NIU Huskies at Soldier Field to open the 2012 season. The teams faced off at Soldier Field in 2007 with Iowa coming away 16-3 winners. It could be a big fall for football at Soldier Field as Notre Dame has previously declared their intentions to play a game that year at the stadium as well. more ›

The Northern Illinois University Huskies football team has made a bowl game the past two seasons but the trips are proving costly as the team has actually lost over $425,000 total on the trips. According to Huskie Wire (via TBL), the Daily Chronicle's NIU site, the team lost $154,125 on their trip to the 2008 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana and then lost $271,152 on this season's trip to Toronto for the International Bowl. While the school received a $200,000 payout for playing in the bowl, they only sold 960 tickets, generating a little less than $30,000 in ticket revenue. NIU Athletic Director Jeff Compher told the Huskie Wire, “I think the date affected people, too. I don’t think people were expecting that. Even though we put it out there as a possibility, I think people were banking on the other December games as more likely destinations. A lot of people didn’t have passports and couldn’t go, or had plans for New Year’s that wouldn’t allow them go either.” more ›

• Developer Calvin Boender was found guilty on all five charges of bribery and obstruction of justice in connection with bribing former alderman Isaac "Ike" Carothers.
• NIU released a 300-page report detailing the 2008 shootings that claimed the lives of six students, including the gunman, Steve Kazmierczak. Read the report here.
• As expected, David Headley entered guilty pleas to charges of plotting terrorist attacks in Denmark and helping plan the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai, India.

The Blackhawks got out to a 2-0 lead over main rival the Detroit Red Wings but a huge five-goal second period from the Wings proved enough to down the 'Hawks by a 5-4 final. First period goals from Duncan Keith and Andrew Ladd gave the 'Hawks an early 2-0 lead. But it all fell apart in the second when Detroit lit Chicago - and Cristobal Huet - up with four goals in the first 10:30 of the period. Huet was pulled in favor of Antti Niemi, who gave up the fifth Detroit goal late in the second. The 'Hawks tried to fight back as Ladd added two more goals in the second - his first hat trick - but it wasn't enough as Detroit held on for the win. The loss means the 'Hawks relinquish first place in the Western Conference to San Jose; they'll try to bounce back Wednesday against the L.A. Kings (7:30 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Bulls once again squandered an early lead, falling to Memphis 105-96, their third straight loss. The Bulls led Memphis by 13 after the first quarter but the Grizz chipped away and ultimately sprinted past the Bulls in the fourth quarter for the win. Luol Deng led the Bulls with 23 points and Derrick Rose had 20 points. The Bulls hope to reverse the newest losing streak this weekend, but it won't be easy up against the Dallas Mavericks (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Bulls didn't have quite enough gas to get by the Pacers last night, falling 100-90 in Indianapolis. It was a close game early, but the Pacers used a 12-3 run in the second quarter to stretch out their lead to seven at the half and never looked back. Derrick Rose had 27 points to lead the Bulls (31-28) while Luol Deng scored 13 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. The Bulls get tonight off before welcoming the Atlanta Hawks to town tomorrow night (7 p.m., WGN). more ›

All six Olympic Blackhawks advanced to tomorrow's semifinal round of the men's ice hockey tournament. First up, Patrick Kane and Team USA topped Switzerland 2-0 to advance to tomorrow's semifinals where they'll take on Finland (2 p.m., NBC 5). Next up, a still-ticked off Team Canada crushed Russia 7-3. Both Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith were credited with two assists each while Brent Seabrook made the box score thanks to two minutes in the penalty box. That trio of 'Hawks advance to the semis to take on Tomas Kopecky, Marian Hossa and the rest of Team Slovokia after they upset Sweden 4-3. Kopecky netted what would be the winning goal and Hossa contributed three assists in the big win. It'll be the Battle of the Blackhawks (8:30 p.m., CNBC) for a shot at the gold medal. more ›

• Michael Selvie was found guilty today of shooting and killing Willie B. Posey, the bodyguard of former Chicago Bear Tank Johnson, at a River North nightclub in 2006.
• An NIU student was shot in the leg last night after an altercation on campus with another student. Police have the suspected shooter in custody and the victim's injury was not life-threatening.
• The ongoing saga of the Drew Peterson hearsay trial.

On the second anniversary of a fatal shooting, Northern Illinois University has planned a memorial wreath presentation and candlelight vigil, Chicago Breaking News reports. Two years ago today, a lone gunman entered a geology lecture and killed five students before turning the gun on himself. The wreath presentation, scheduled at 3 p.m., and the vigil at 6 p.m. will be held at the DeKalb campus' Martin Luther King Commons. Both can be viewed via Webcast. more ›

The Bulls are heading into the All-Star Break on a losing note after being beaten down by the Orlando Magic 107-87. The Magic held an early 9-6 lead and then exploded to take a 41-17 lead to end the first quarter. Yes, 41-17 after the first quarter. The Bulls did manage to make up a but of ground but never got back into the game. Luol Deng led the team with 23 points while Ty Thomas scored 16 off the bench. Derrick Rose only managed 3 points in the opening minutes before leaving the game with a bruised right hip; he did not return and there's no official word on the extent of his injury but it has certainly put his All-Star weekend participation in doubt. The Bulls now get a nice, long break before returning to action next Tuesday against the Kincks (7 p.m., WGN). more ›

The Blackhawks snapped a three-game losing streak as they skated past the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Saturday night. Patrick Sharp scored his 17th goal of the season early in the first period and Jonathan Toews scored his 19th later in the period to give the 'Hawks a 2-0 lead. The lead held until late in the third period when St. Louis scored a power-play goal. Antti Niemi had a sterling night in goal, making 34 saves on 35 shots faced. The game also had some spicy moments, including a nice little tussle in the first period. The 'Hawks still trail the Sharks by four points for first place in the Western Conference. Next up is Dallas on Tuesday night (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

Just like the Bulls, the Blackhawks had their United Center homecoming spoiled by losing as the St. Louis Blues got the best of the 'Hawks 3-2. Patrick Kane got the 'Hawks off to a good start and a 1-0 lead with a backhand goal a little over seven minutes in to the game. But a bad second period sunk the 'Hawks as the Blues scored three straight goals in an eight minute span to take a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Marian Hossa cut into the lead with a short-handed goal early in the third, but the 'Hawks weren't able to get any closer and the Blues held on for the win. The 'Hawks nearly doubled the Blues up on shots, 34-19, but the Blues made theirs count; Huet got the nod in goal with an ill Antti Niemi sitting out a scheduled start. The Phoenix Coyotes come skating into town Friday as the 'Hawks look to bounce back into the win column (7:30 p.m., CSN+). more ›

The NIU Huskies were handed their fourth straight loss last night, falling to Kent State 76-46. Jake Anderson was the only NIU player to reach double-digits with 12 points. Lee Fisher added seven points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort. more ›

The Blackhawks wrapped up their Disney-On-Ice road trip last night but found themselves having less success than their United Center counterparts as they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. The 'Canes took the lead with a goal in the waning seconds of the first period and Chicago answered with a Marian Hossa goal a few minutes into the second. Carolina answered late in the second to take a 2-1 edge and the 'Hawks once again tied the game up as Andrew Ladd scored a few minutes in to the third period. But the 'Canes scored twice in a 26 second span at the midway point of the third to take a two-goal lead they wouldn't relinquish. Huet got 20 saves but allowed all four goals while the 'Hawks out-shot the 'Canes 41-24 but still wound up with the loss. The 'Hawks still lead the division comfortably and are in second place in the Western Conference, just 3 points behind San Jose. The team also gets 4 of the next 6 games at home before the two-week Olympic break. Next up is a return to the UC to face St. Louis on Wednesday (7:30 p.m., CSN). more ›

Who would have thought the Bulls would come away from a four game stretch against Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City at 4-0? Not us, but we're happy to be wrong. The Bulls thumped the Thunder 96-86 to win their fourth straight game - all on the road - and move back to .500 for the first time since mid-November. Derrick Rose led the way with 26 points and 7 assists, Luol Deng added 17, and Brad Miller scored 14 off the bench. Even Rose admitted mild surprise at the current winning streak: "Yeah I don't think anyone would have thought we'd have a four-game winning streak going after playing in the places we have the last few days. We're definitely confident right now and hopefully we can keep it going." The Bulls hope to keep it going as they wrap up the road trip tomorrow night in New Orleans against the Hornets (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

With Joakim Noah hurt, Brad Miller made the most of his start at center, scoring 25 points to lead the Bulls to a 104-97 victory over Houston. The Bulls have now won two straight road games, a great improvement for a team that's struggled mightily on the road all season. All five Bulls starters scored in double-figures including 20 from Derrick Rose and a 16-14 from Taj Gibson as the team shot over 50 percent from the floor for another night. The Bulls hope their trip to Texas continues on a winning note as they take on the Spurs tomorrow night (7:30 p.m., CSN). more ›

The road woes continued for the Bulls in L.A. last night as the L.A. Clippers got the better of them by a 104-97 final. Once again, poor shooting from the floor - 43 percent - hurt the Bulls chances of keeping up with a team they could have beaten. Derrick Rose had a 23-8-7 to lead the team while Luol Deng scored 19 and pulled down 10 rebounds. Joakim Noah also had a double-double with a 14-15. Next up for Chicago is a trip to the desert to face the Phoenx Suns on Friday (9:30 p.m., CSN, ESPN) more ›

'Hawks Clip Columbus more ›

Poor shooting plagued both teams but harmed No. 16 Wisconsin less as they pulled away late in the second half to upend Northwestern 60-50. After their brief appearance in the Top 25 a few weeks ago, Northwestern has had a rough start to conference season, sitting at 1-3 so far in Big Ten play. The Wildcats had a 48-46 lead with 5:28 to play, but Wisconsin outscored them 14-2 over those final minutes to pull away, Northwestern only hitting a pair of free throws. John Shurna had 15 points and Jeremy Nash scored 13 for the Wildcats. more ›

Bulls Thump T-Wolves more ›

DePaul's conference woes continue as they lost their 22nd straight regular season conference game as they were crushed by No. 6 Villanova 99-72. The Blue Demons put up a fight in the second half, but that didn't help erase a 25-point halftime deficit. Mac Koshwal led DePaul with 17 points and 11 rebounds. more ›

Don't look now but the Bulls have won four in a row after dusting Orland 101-93 last night. Derrick Rose led the Bulls with a solid 30-6-7, three other Bulls starters - Deng (14), Noah (10), and Hinrich (11) - scored in double figures and John Salmons scored 15 off the bench. The Bulls found themselves down by eight halfway through the second but went on a 15-2 run to the end the half up by four and started the second half on an 11-2 run to extend the lead. A 10-0 Orlando run in the fourth cut the lead to 5 and the Magic found themselves within 3 with less than 30 seconds to go but the Bulls hit 5 of 6 free throws to put the game away. Also put away - for now? Talk of Coach Vinny being canned. But, rest assured, we'll hear something at the next rough patch for the team. But the Bulls hope to avoid that when they welcome the OKC Thunder tomorrow night (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

Illinois toppled Northwestern 89-83 in overtime last night, snapping a two-game losing streak and handing Northwestern a loss in their first game as a top 25 team after a 40+ year absence from the polls. The Illini trailed by nine at the half but a big run to open the second half put them in a back-and-forth game with the Wildcats and forced overtime. The teams continued the close battle until Illinois sank five of seven free throws in the final minute of play to clinch the game. John Shurna led the Wildcats with 27 points but Mike Tisdale's 31 point, 11 rebound performance - with 20 more points from Mike Davis - paced the Illini to the big win. The two teams square off again January 23. more ›