How a decade in prison derailed the life of a 15-year-old, and how a devoted cousin struggled to help him re-enter society. Author Danielle Allen discusses her new book.

The local news websites DNAinfo Chicago and Chicagoist on Thursday ceased publication and abruptly shut down. 

Cook County Jail wasn’t designed to be a psychiatric facility, but it’s turned into one of the largest mental health institutions in the country, says Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

Chicago Sun-Times theater and dance critic Hedy Weiss shares her recommendations from Porchlight Music Theatre, Lookingglass, Goodman, Black Ensemble Theater and BoHo Theatre.

A Broadway superstar returns to Chicago to plea for help for his Puerto Rican homeland, and addresses a controversial tweet about the president.

Chicagoans have watched the Navy Pier Flyover begin to take shape over the last three years. But the city recently pushed back the completion date to 2019. Frustrated cyclists and pedestrians are beginning to ask why.

Otis Wilson was a key member of the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl team. He joins us to discuss his new book “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Chicago Bears Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box.”

Officials responding to last week’s oil spill in the South Branch of the Chicago River have recovered dead wildlife from the water, including 43 fish and four turtles. The source of the spill is still unknown, according to the EPA. 

Basketball kept Max Sansing and his friends out of trouble, but when the rims were removed from neighborhood parks and schools, their lives were changed. Now Sansing is using old backboards to tell that story.

Lady arm wrestlers, a massive art fair, sudsy brews and sea lions usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are back home in Chicago to launch the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit. 

Words of culinary wisdom from master pastry chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of The French Pastry School.

The Chicago Tribune published a report Monday on the “rediscovery” of a long-forgotten 35 mm film in the National Archives. The story behind the incredible aerial footage of Chicago shot in August 1914.

The EPA says the source of an Oct. 26 oil spill remains unknown, but cleanup efforts continue this week along the 1.5-mile stretch of the south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River.

On the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s dramatic challenge to the Catholic Church, two local exhibitions reveal the astonishing impact of the Reformation.

Illinois is taking creative steps to prepare residents for all kinds of potential disasters. “If you are prepared for zombies, you are prepared for a natural disaster,” said state Rep. Chris Welch.