Stories by Anne Strother

Author and Northwestern University professor Wendy Pearlman interviewed more than 300 refugees for a new book of oral histories, “We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled.” She joins us in discussion.

Imagine traveling from Chicago to Pittsburgh in under an hour. The company Hyperloop One is developing pods that would travel through tubes at speeds of over 600 mph.

The Chicago Architecture Biennial returns for a second year to highlight the work of contemporary architects from around the globe. We get a preview.

Two journalists talk about their recent interviews with the imprisoned former Illinois governor.

A great joke can make you laugh, but can it also help you face life’s mysteries? A new book makes the case that jokes not only delight us, but help us approach difficult subject matter.

The Chicago Public Schools chief talks about the challenges facing the school system.

More on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s lawsuit calling for court oversight of the Chicago Police Department.

Summer days are drawing to an end, but gardeners looking to maximize the growing season have some options for planting, even as they harvest other crops.

The economy is adding jobs and unemployment is low, yet nearly 15 million Americans are on the hunt for full-time work. We discuss the job market with a Chicago Booth Review editor.

Reflections on a 70-day canoe trip from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the mouth of the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana.

Aug. 15 marks the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Picasso’s debut, and Tuesday, the city celebrated the iconic sculpture with a public ceremony.

For the first time in the United States, scientists edit a human embryo and successfully remove a genetic mutation that causes disease.

Gov. Bruce Rauner called on Democrats to send him Senate Bill 1, while Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says he’ll wait till Monday to send the bill to the governor.

One of his goals is to create conversations around exhibits and programming that are relevant to historical subject matter, but also to the present.

An update from the Obama Foundation’s Michael Strautmanis on plans for the South Side Presidential Center.

Summer is in full swing, and the WTTW garden is in full bloom. Lots of vegetables are ready to pick and to eat.

Without an agreement, school superintendents across the state are tasked with figuring out how long their schools can stay open this school year. We speak with superintendents from two suburban districts.

Summer means sprinklers, ice cream trucks, and reading outside on park benches, lawns and beaches. If you’re looking for a good book to take to the pool, we’ve got you covered. 

How to reduce shootings in Chicago? One possible answer: jobs. But how much would that cost? WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell crunched the numbers.

As more cruises and kayaks join commercial barges on the river, some tour boat operators are concerned about safety. Learn the “rules of the road” for Chicago waterways.

How can you find work you’ll enjoy—or build a career? A new book by former Chicago Sun-Times columnist Liz Ryan tackles big questions about to today’s transformed job market.