Founded in 1905, the Chicago Defender gave a voice to black Americans during the Jim Crow era and helped along the careers of politicians from JFK to Richard J. Daley. Former Defender editor and reporter Ethan Michaeli spent years conducting research and interviews for his extensive new history book.

A show dedicated to the life of the barrier-breaking performance artist opens Saturday at Northwestern’s Block Museum. 

Paris Schutz and his panel discuss the newly released video of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman, the powerful Chicago aldermen who delayed a vote on oversight reform and Gov. Bruce Rauner's first year in office.

The new documentary "Equal Under God" follows one man's crusade for the protection of albinos in Uganda. One of the filmmakers – who has another connection to "Chicago Tonight" – joins us to discuss the film.

Former FCC chairman and WTTW trustee emeritus Newton Minow turns 90 on Sunday. While you may remember that he once famously called TV a “vast wasteland,” you might not know that he’s actually a big “Downton Abbey” fan. In honor of his upcoming birthday, we share 10 things about him that might just surprise you.

A federal judge on Thursday ruled to release surveillance video that was originally held under protective order by the city depicting the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager—17-year-old Cedrick Chatman—by a white Chicago police officer in January 2013. We talk with Brian Coffman, an attorney representing the boy's family.

The race to be Cook County's top prosecutor is getting even more interesting. Today, Cook County Democrats changed their minds about endorsing a candidate for state's attorney – in August, the party chose not to endorse anybody – and officially backed a challenger to incumbent Anita Alvarez.

Despite the cold, there's plenty to do with your green thumb – even though it may be a little blue right now. Joining us with some winter gardening ideas and tips is Eliza Fournier of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

See all the boats, hang with Danny Tanner and hipster it up with the best of them. 

Eight times a week, Chicago actor Abby Mueller portrays the great songwriter Carole King in the national touring production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." Mueller joins us to speak about the real Carole King and the very musical Mueller family of Evanston. She'll also perform a classic Carole King song live in our studio.

We read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The former commissioner of Cultural Affairs died Wednesday night.  

Alice, the famous smelly flower of the Chicago Botanic Garden, is bearing fruit – hundreds of them.