The brutal murder of eight young Chicago nurses in the summer of 1966 horrified the nation. Fifty years later, the lead prosecutor on the case that was instantly dubbed "The Crime of the Century" is here to tell us about it.

Abner J. Mikva, a former federal judge and congressman, died Monday, July 4 at the age of 90. Mikva dedicated more than a half-century to public service. 

This week, we raise a glass to five-time U.S. Congressman and two-time U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, the O.G. hipster of the Senate, with a new twist on an old-school cocktail.

Fireworks can be a lot of fun for humans, but frightening for some pets. Learn what you can do to ease your pet's stress when the celebrations start.

Lawmakers and the governor strike a six-month budget deal. Schools get funding to open in the fall. The Bears lose a legend, and the Cubs' Kris Bryant makes history. Joel Weisman and guests discuss these stories and more.

For the first time in a year, there is a state budget, albeit a temporary one. There is also relief for Chicago Public Schools, but with some caveats. Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us with the latest.

Now that it’s clear that “Star Wars” creator George Lucas will be taking his project to another state, what of the small nonprofit group that fell the mighty filmmaker and his supporter, Mayor Rahm Emanuel? Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry joins us.

Have decades of budgetary tricks and rising pension costs made bankruptcy inevitable for the city of Chicago as well as its public school system? We debate the issue.

Hiss Majesty, a 16-year-old Caiman lizard at the Shedd Aquarium, was fitted for a new prosthetic limb on Wednesday.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama announced Thursday that the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will be designed by renowned architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.  

With both the Republican and Democratic conventions around the corner, there’s lots of speculation around vice presidential picks for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Who’s likely to get the nod from Trump or Clinton?

Blair Kamin, Pulitzer prize-winning architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, talks about the architectural artistry of Harvard Yard and his new book on the subject.

Go out with a bang this weekend as fireworks, parades and festivals offer plenty of ways to celebrate across the city and suburbs.

As Chicago struggles to understand and control rising gun violence, there may be insight to be found in social media.