Chicago Mayor and Jesse Jackson Jr. Testify in Blagojevich's Trial

(CHICAGO) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's attorneys opened his defense with a witness list of prominent politicians, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., as Blagojevich's second trial on federal corruption charges began in Chicago on Wednesday. He will take the stand Thursday.

In the first trial, jurors deadlocked on all but one guilty verdict of lying to a federal agent.

Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff, testified that no one asked him for anything in return for Blagojevich appointing Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett to Obama's vacated Senate seat.

Earlier, Jackson had suggested that Blagojevich did not name his wife to a state post -- director of the Illinois lottery -- because Jackson refused to donate $25,000 to Blagojevich's campaign.

Federal prosecutors are accusing Blagojevich of attempting to steer the Senate seat to Jackson in return for more than $1 million in campaign contributions from Jackson's political allies. Jackson has said he knows nothing of such a deal and is not charged with any wrongdoing.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

'The Oprah Winfrey Show' Comes to an End

(CHICAGO) -- After 25 years, The Oprah Winfrey Show ended its run on Wednesday.

The 4,561st and final episode, recorded Tuesday in Chicago, had no guests -- just Oprah Winfrey taking a stroll down memory lane.

Throughout the episode, Winfrey described some of her experiences throughout the years on the show; clips of memorable episodes and  guests were also shown, as the television icon urged the audience to continue to touch people the way the show touched them.

Winfrey closed the final epsode -- and a chapter in television history -- by saying, "I won't say goodbye, I'll say until we meet again."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Headley Testifies in Terrorism Trial

(CHICAGO) -- On Tuesday, David Coleman Headley testified at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in the terrorism trial of Tahawwur Rana.

According to ABC7 News, Headley stated that he told his childhood friend about the 2008 Mumbai, India attacks five months before they were carried out. The attacks, carried out by terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, left 160 dead and hundreds injured.

Headley said Rana helped him obtain an Indian visa which allowed Headley to meet with terrorist handlers and scout the attack sites.

Rana denies any involvement in the attacks.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Officials Investigating Security Breach at Willis Tower

(CHICAGO) -- Authorities are investigating how a disturbed man allegedly made his way past security and up on to the 102nd floor of the Willis Tower on May 16.

Police say the 42-year-old man is a resident at a facility for psychiatric patients. He was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. when the man bypassed security and made his way up to the 102nd floor on a freight elevator.

Officials say the security breach is an isolated incident.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

NBA Fines Noah $50,000 for Anti-Gay Slur

(CHICAGO) -- Chicago Bulls player Joakim Noah has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for using a "derogatory and offensive from the bench."

The league handed down the fine on Monday, a day after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, during which Noah directed an anti-gay slur at a fan. The incident happened in the first quarter of the game between the Bulls and the Miami Heat in Miami.

Noah has issued a statement apologizing for his actions during the game, saying, "The comment to the fan, I just want to apologize about that."

"I had just picked up my second foul and I was frustrated. He said something that was disrespectful towards me and I lost my cool," Noah said.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio