The Chicago Bears have released 34-year-old veteran defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff after two-and-a-half seasons and signed former first-round pick Ziggy Hood from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the organization announced on Thursday.

The 26th annual festival returns with a new-and-now group of talented writers, performers and creative thinkers who head up 130 events throughout the city. We'll help you navigate the options.

Former Bears tight end Desmond Clark is at the center of a high-profile police case in the suburbs involving allegations of disorderly conduct, battery and racism. Clark joins us share his side of the story ahead of his court appearance Monday in Lake County.

Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich is one of eight American delegates at Pope Francis' synod on the family. He joins us from Rome to discuss what conversations with his fellow bishops have been like, and what we can expect to come out of the synod.

Fall festivals this weekend highlight film, food and critical thinking. What are you waiting for?

While a monthslong architecture celebration underway in Chicago, there are some big changes in store for the city’s architectural landscape. We discuss the planned and potential changes to the city’s skyline with Lee Bey, host of Rivet Radio’s Architecture360; and architect and author Edward Keegan. 

Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel "Treasure Island" became a children's classic almost from the moment it was published in 1881. Scores of adaptations followed. But a new stage production at Lookingglass Theatre, adapted and directed by Tony award-winner Mary Zimmerman, is being praised for its original take on the story. Zimmerman joins us tonight.

Winnetka native Kate Liu, 21, has become the bronze medalist and recipient of a nearly $23,000 cash prize at the 17th Chopin International Competition in Warsaw, Poland.

Some landlords in the Chicago area are illegally discriminating against Section 8 voucher holders, according to WBEZ. Does this highlight problems with the program itself or is it blatant racism?

Jack Bishop from America's Test Kitchen gives us a look at their new book that aims to help you cut through the recipe clutter. Also, learn how to make Perfect Poached Chicken Breasts and other dishes from ATK.

Geoffrey Baer visits a towering turtle on the Near West Side, a retro motel in River North and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Smoke filled the streets and skies of Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood this morning as an extra-alarm fire engulfed Harry’s Lumber Company in flames for the second time in 25 years.

A beetle collected by Charles Darwin was recently discovered at the Field, which is in the process of cataloging its 12 million insect specimens – the museum's largest collection. Go behind the scenes as we check out this tiny wonder.

In a game both thrilling and frustrating the Bears and Lions traded the lead five times, needed overtime to decide the outcome and left fans of each team scratching their heads. The previously winless Lions looked more capable than their record indicated, while the Bears offense seesawed between potent and ineffective. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his take on the game.

She's been feeding Chicagoans her signature brand of breakfast since opening her first restaurant in 1991. And despite closing up shop two years ago, Ina Pinkney wanted to share some of her favorite recipes in a book, along with stories from her life. Pinkney joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about "Ina's Kitchen."

A longtime Chicago arts criticism magazine is trying to get back on its feet after folding in 2002, but two separate groups are now attempting to publish it–and the world-renowned Zhou Brothers, after an initial show of support, decided to pull their funding. Learn about the rise and fall of the Examiner–and how it echoes the history of Chicago arts funding.