There's a new cat on the PBS block. We meet big-name local talent behind "Nature Cat."

What can be done to restore trust between police and young people, or to improve safety in both Chicago schools and neighborhoods? Chicago high school students who are interested in politics, policy and community leadership ask our panel tough, thoughtful questions.

On Thursday, “Chicago Tonight” welcomes 50 Mikva Challenge high school students from across the city to participate in a forum on violence.

The cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools is spiraling closer and closer to a financial doomsday that could see as many as 5,00 teachers laid off to help plug a $480 million budget hole. The CPS CEO joins us to talk about the district's finances and the new four-year contract being offered to the Chicago Teachers Union.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool says the district has offered the Chicago Teachers Union a new contract proposal. Brandis Friedman has the details.

A day after teachers voted overwhelming to go on strike, Chicago Public Schools is offering teachers a new contract that it says will prevent thousands of teacher layoffs. Jesse Sharkey joins us for a discussion.

Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey on Monday morning announced that 88 percent of its membership has voted "yes" to the question of authorizing a strike. The vote was taken over three days last week, in which 92 percent of members voted.

Whether it's at the water cooler or the dinner table, the Laquan McDonald case has been the topic of much discussion in and around Chicago. But in many city classrooms sit young men and women who may have a lot in common with the teenager. Brandis Friedman has more on how this discussion between students and teachers is unfolding.

Six seasons ago, the Wendell Phillips Academy High School football team had just 12 football players. Today, not only has the current team won a state championship, but its players are college bound. In fact, many students at this formerly failing school are now headed to college.

"Chicago Tonight" will have a live report from Butler Field in Grant Park, where the Chicago Teachers Union promises a big display of support for their cause.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool is reiterating his call for funding equity from Springfield, saying that if CPS students make up 20 percent of Illinois public school students then the district should receive 20 percent of funding.

Public universities in Illinois have received no state funding since the budget standoff began in July. We hear from four university presidents on the impact the budget crisis is having on their campuses.

Several Chicago Public Schools could be consolidating with neighboring schools, if residents in at least two Chicago communities are able to convince the district to take action. Brandis Friemdan has the details on a proposed merger that residents on the Near North Side have been considering.

The U.S. Department of Education ruled that Palatine Township High School District 211 violated a transgender student's right not to be discriminated against when it refused the student unfettered access to the girls' locker room.

In December 1944 Hitler and the German army were desperate. Losing the war on two fronts, they launched a last great offensive in a desperate gamble to split the Western Allies. The fighting was ferocious, with atrocities on both sides, and the outcome shaped history. It's a story told in acclaimed author Antony Beevor's latest book "Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge."

Four out of 10 Chicago Public Schools principals say they are very likely to leave their jobs in the next three years. A new report from The Chicago Public Education Fund surveyed 65 percent of district principals and found four key ways to keep the city's best school leaders on the job longer. Brandis Friedman has the details.