The city of Chicago announced it is expanding a program that allows residents to purchase vacant city-owned lots for $1. Starting Tuesday, applications for lots in the Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods will be accepted through Oct. 31. Learn more about the program.

Archival photos from the Field Museum depict researchers and the taxidermy they worked on – and loved posing with.

Chicago lost out on the Olympics to Rio but this week, world titles will be at stake as 6,500 pro- and age-group triathletes compete in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships. Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett will be one of them – she tells us what to expect.

Eleven GOP presidential hopefuls will meet for a second prime-time cable news debate Wednesday. Donald Trump still leads the polling but retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson’s numbers have surged as has the profile of former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. We discuss what to expect from tomorrow night’s debate.

Celebrated actor, singer and dancer Rita Moreno is in Chicago to honor Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street, at an awards ceremony on Wednesday night. Tuesday, the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winning artist joins Chicago Tonight to share stories from her incredible life and career.

New Joffrey Ballet dancers speak about their experience with crafting public persona in the world of professional ballet. 

Activists in Chicago have scored a major victory in the form of a new adult trauma center for the city's South Side. While the new facility is being hailed as a big step toward health care equity in an underserved area, activists say much more needs to be done. Eddie Arruza joins us with details.

The outcome was as expected: the Super-Bowl caliber Green Bay Packers beat the rebuilding Chicago Bears in the season-opener at Soldier Field. But the Bears ability to effectively run the ball, limit penalties, and run a more up-tempo offense surpassed most fans' expectations. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take on the first game of the season. Also, don't miss our preview of next Sunday's game with Craig Morgan, a Chicago native and Arizona sports reporter.

A group of local science researchers want your help on a truly wild project. Learn about Chicago Wildlife Watch, and how you can help them better understand the urban ecosystem of Chicago.

Class is in session for what could be a hectic year at Chicago Public Schools, which may face layoffs in the middle of the school year if state lawmakers don’t come through with $480 million. On top of that, district officials are negotiating a new contract with the Chicago Teachers Union. CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey gives us an update on contract negotiations and the likelihood of a teachers strike. 

Should the United States and Chicago accept more Syrian refugees, in light of the crisis in Europe? President Obama has put the number at 10,000 but some local officials say it should be much higher. Paris Schutz has the story.

An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Better Government Association finds that pension funds for government workers are continuing to pay benefits to some retirees long after the retiree and their spouse have died. One of the lead investigators on the story breaks it down for us.

Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is in town to work with veterans of his choreographic style at the Joffrey Ballet and some new kids on the block – the Joffrey recently added 10 dancers to the company. Wheeldon joins us in advance of the Joffrey's 60th anniversary season, kicking off Wednesday with the program Millennials.

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