Daniel Calderon and Ernest Williams are the latest teens to die in the incessant war on Chicago's streets.

Police believe both shootings may be gang-related.

The presidential contenders squared off for the first time on Friday, for what could become the most watched presidential debate in American history.

So, who came out the winner?

Many pollsters are giving round one to Obama.

A CNN opinion research poll found 51 percent of those polled said Obama did a better job, compared to 38 percent who said McCain was better.

It was an Olympic-sized event that only the big O could pull off.

More than 170 Olympic athletes were in Chicago's Millenium Park for a taping of the season premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Video after the jump.

Three years after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, another dangerous storm is headed that way.

Ready or not?

Hurricane Gustav is going to test just how much things have changed in three years.

Illinois is one of 8 states that is losing federal funds for an advanced program that tracks the rate of HIV infections.

So far this year, there have been more than 800 new cases of HIV reported in Cook County alone, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. That's a 19% increase since 2007.

A group of 100 college presidents is calling on lawmakers to make a controversial change that would affect students across the country.

They want the current drinking age lowered from 21 to 18.

Two men from Georgia say they've found remains of the infamous Bigfoot.

And get this -- they won't disclose the exact location where they allegedly found the body, because they say there are several similar creatures in the area who are still ALIVE.

Looks like a fake ape suit in a box.

So, Spain's basketball teams thought it was a good idea to take a pre-Olympic photo pulling back their eyelids to make their eyes look slanted.

One star player says the pose was out of "respect" for the Chinese.

Gimme a break!

Check out the picture after the jump.

I must admit. I am completely obsessed with the Olympics.

Whether it's watching tiny gymnasts tumble their way to gold (and praying that they don't fall), watching the world's fastest men and women sprint 100 meters in less than 10 seconds, or holding my breath as swimmers glide through the water like fish, chasing their dreams. It is simply amazing to watch.

She loved to ride her bike.

She loved to play with dolls.

She loved the color pink.

She was looking forward to going to Great America, and couldn't wait to turn 10.

By all accounts, 9-year old Mya Lyons was a sweet and innocent girl, who was unexpectedly taken away from her family and friends.

On Friday, there was some encouraging news in the case. Police were questioning a "person of interest" in Mya's murder. Her father found the girl dead in an alley near his home in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Relatives say police told them she had been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death.

But now, nearly a week after this heinous crime, police are back to square one in their investigation. They released the "person of interest" from custody. No charges have been filed.

It's disappointing news for anyone who's been following this tragedy.

Mya was laid to rest on Saturday. The images of her grieving family saying goodbye were just heartbreaking.

I know police officers are working this case to the best of their ability. I hope they can catch Mya's killer soon.

Nothing can bring Mya back, but I think swift justice in this case will ease her family's pain and bring some relief to that entire community.

I was fortunate enough to have July 4th off from work, to spend some well-deserved time with my family. After enjoying a day filled with good company and good eating, I sat down to watch the news at 10pm. My 6-year old nephew was sitting with me (he refused to go to sleep).

In the first five minutes of the news, we saw stories about a 2-year old boy who was accidentally shot with his father's gun, a followup on the murder of Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis, and a story on the shooting that killed one man and injured three others after the July 3rd fireworks at the Taste of Chicago.

My nephew turned to me and said, "Auntie, there's a lot of people being killed."

He's right.

It was a sobering end to the holiday for me. I'm truly puzzled by the violence. This weekend's shootings downtown once again sparked a bit of talk about how Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid will be affected by the violence in the city.

It's a conversation worth having. But the impact increased violence is having on the city's Olympic bid seems unimportant when you consider the impact it's having on Chicago's families and our young people.

What do you think?

Amy Winehouse is back in the spotlight, after she punched a fan at one of her concerts.This comes just a week after her father told a British tabloid the retro soul singer has pre-emphysema from smoking cigarettes and crack cocaine.

This is really a shame. I think she has a unique talent that could really make an impact on the music scene. Instead, she's making an impact for all of the WRONG reasons.

I'm also worried about the impact she's making on some of her young fans. Where are the good role models, these days? Too many talented young stars are getting sucked in by the pressures of Hollywood and celebrity.

Earlier this year, Amy Winehouse walked a way with an arm full of Grammy Awards. One of my best buddies told me she thought it was wrong for the prestigious Grammy's to reward an out-of-control junkie. I disagreed with her then...but I'm starting to change my mind.

Amy Winehouse's story is reminding me of another fallen star -- Billie Holiday.

We all know how that story ended.

I hope Amy can beat her addictions and turn things around.
What do you think? Is her talent as big as it's hyped up to be?