We found out a few weeks back that former CPS Board President Michael Scott was facing some financial hardships in the months leading up to his November 2009 suicide. Today's Sun-Times has a report from CPS's inspector General showing that the cash-strapped school system spent more than $800,000 for parties at a former board president's home, catered lunches, booze and even a check for bugs. And we don't mean insects. more ›

• In the latest bit of bad news for U.S. Sen. Ronald Burris, Darrel Thompson, his chief of staff, has resigned. Could the Senator himself be far behind?
• An afternoon shoot-out in an alley along 87th Street on the city's South Side has left a 13-year-old, a 15-year-old, and 17-year-old dead.
• Patti Blagojevich is shakin' off that firin' by the Chicago Christian Industrial League just fine as she's selling a house to bring in a little extra money.