Stories by Nicole Cardos

(Courtesy Whitney Bradshaw / “Outcry”)

Photographer’s ‘Scream Sessions’ Aim to Challenge Stereotypes

Since January 2018, Whitney Bradshaw has photographed more than 375 women who participated in her “Scream Sessions.” All portraits are now on display together for the first time in a new exhibit at the McCormick Gallery called “Outcry.”

The starting gate at Arlington International Racecourse. (WTTW News)

Arlington Park Takes Its ‘Final Turn’ Amid a Pandemic as Sale Looms

It’s home to trainers, jockeys and others in the horse racing industry. And during summer weekends, it’s a place for fans to bet on their favorite racehorse. Arlington International Racecourse is officially open for what could be its last season.

Chicago photographer Jeff Dahlgren takes a portrait at Throop Studio. (WTTW News)

Local Couple Recreates Picture Day for Chicago Families

Whether you loved it or hated it, a school picture day was something everyone had growing up. But that isn’t the case for some Chicago-area students during the pandemic. How one local couple is recreating the tradition.

Yingying Zhang, center, takes a photo with her father Ronggao Zhang, left, mother Lifeng Ye and fiance Xiaolin Hou. (U.S. Attorney's Office)

New Documentary ‘Finding Yingying’ Shares Intimate Details About Murdered Scholar

Chinese scholar Yingying Zhang went missing in June 2017 at the University of Illinois. Her story is detailed in a new documentary that goes beyond true crime. We speak with the film’s director and a producer to learn more.

(Photo by Nick Hillier on Unsplash)

Need a Book During Quarantine? Local Bibliophiles Share Recommendations

With Illinois’ stay-at-home order in place through the end of May, some of us are looking to pick up new hobbies — or new books. We asked a trio of book lovers to share their picks.

(Photos courtesy of Terri Chaseley)

Highland Park Resident Describes Experience Living With COVID-19

Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have described a range of symptoms, and they’ve lived with a fear of spreading the illness to their family and friends. A Chicago-area resident shares her story.

A still image of Aleksandra August from her new series “Flavor of Poland.” (Courtesy of American Public Media)

Host of New Series ‘Flavor of Poland’ Talks Polish Cuisine, Paczki

If there’s one thing Aleksandra August hopes viewers take away from her new show “Flavor of Poland,” it’s that they learn something more about the country than its offerings of pierogi and kielbasa.

(WTTW News)

UChicago Stamp Collection Sheds Light on Everyday Life in North Korea

A new collection of 2,000 stamps at the University of Chicago offers a unique look at North Korea. We stopped by the Regenstein Library to see it – and meet the librarian who acquired it.

Need a Drill? A Sewing Machine? New Chicago Tool Library Ready to Lend

There’s a new library in Chicago and it’s stocked with pretty much everything except books. We visit the Chicago Tool Library in Bridgeport.

(FotoRieth / Pixabay)

12 Book Suggestions for Cozy Winter Nights

If you find yourself snowed in this winter (or you just feel like hibernating by the fire), how about reaching for a good book? Three book lovers join us with their top picks.

“My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false additional accusations,” Judge Brett Kavanaugh said during a hearing on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018.

NYT Reporters Reveal New Details in ‘The Education of Brett Kavanaugh’

A new book from reporters Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly offers a detailed look at Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh a year after his tumultuous Senate testimony.

(rawpixel / Pixabay)

Report: 46 Illinois Hospitals Earn Grade ‘A’ in Patient Safety, 4 Earn ‘D’

As many as 440,000 people die every year from preventable mistakes in hospitals, according to national nonprofit The Leapfrog Group. How Illinois hospitals are performing.

Val Camilletti at her record store, Val’s halla, in 2005. (WTTW News)

Oak Park Record Store Val’s Halla Closing its Doors Nov. 30

A legendary record store is closing at the end of the month. We revisit our portrait of this one-of-a-kind shop opened by Val Camilletti in 1972.

New York Times reporter Megan Twohey appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 15, 2019.

Evanston Native Shares How She Helped Break Harvey Weinstein Story

In a new book, New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor detail how they uncovered allegations of sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein. Twohey, an Evanston native, joins us in discussion.

Thomas Krasnican and Nick Paraiso sit down with former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. (Courtesy Thomas Krasnican and Nick Paraiso)

UChicago Podcast Strives to Bridge the Civil-Military Divide

How much do service members and civilians interact? Some say not enough. But a new podcast out of the University of Chicago aims to change that.

Social Worker Shares Intimate Stories from Chicago’s Mental Health System

What is the connection between mental health, trauma and Chicago’s high homicide rate? A new book by Jonathan Foiles aims to answer that question.

New Community Garden Aims to Shed Light on Urban Indians

The First Nations Garden in Albany Park was created by the American Indian Center and the Chi-Nations Youth Council in partnership with the city of Chicago. “It’s become a beacon for native people,” said 17-year-old Adrien Pochel.

Dr. Carl Bell appears on “Chicago Tonight” on July 17, 2019.

Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Bell Dead at 71

Dr. Carl Bell, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, was a national leader in treating childhood trauma resulting from violence. 

(Pexels / Pixabay)

Meet Three of Chicago’s Social Media Influencers

It’s a brave new world out there, and one fast-growing career is that of “social media influencer.” We talk with three Chicago-based influencers to find out just what they do.

(StockSnap / Pixabay)

Summer Reading List 2019: New and Old Books to Explore

Summer in Chicago: There never seems to be enough of it, especially with so many things to do – and read. Need a good recommendation? Here are 15 wide-ranging options from three Chicago authors.

(Stephen M. Scott / Flickr)

Search: Chicago Property Tax Increases and Decreases by Ward

Property taxes are on the rise in many parts of the city, and homeowners will soon get specifics on those hikes in the mail. See ward-by-ward changes for single-family homes across Chicago.

 “The reason we haven’t solved the pension problem is because of political will, pure and simple,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Monday, July 1, 2019.

Pension Payment: Analysts on Outlook for State-Controlled Pension System

If Chicago wants to ease its pension problems, it’ll need $1 billion in new taxes over the next three years. But Mayor Lori Lightfoot reportedly has another plan up her sleeve.

(Ken Teegardin / Flickr)

What Could Reparations for Black Americans Look Like?

Although the idea behind reparations is “as old as slavery,” it’s gaining more traction than ever before, said Alvin Tillery, a political science professor at Northwestern University.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker appears at a signing ceremony for the $40 billion spending plan Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (WTTW News)

Question of Balance: Analysts Talk State Budget, Pension Reform

Does Illinois really have a balanced budget? Local analysts weigh in.

Journalist Jim DeRogatis appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.

In ‘Soulless,’ Jim DeRogatis Details ‘The Case Against R. Kelly’

Intimate details about R. Kelly are uncovered in a new book. Jim DeRogatis, the reporter who’s been following the singer for years, discusses “Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Violence, a Chicago Casino and Ald. Ed Burke

Did the Chicago police union instruct cops not to police during the violent Memorial Day weekend? Mayor Lori Lightfoot clarifies a rumor she says she heard in this wide-ranging, one-on-one interview.