Stories by WTTW News

Has the Catholic church come clean? Archdiocesan officials speak at length about the release of documents outlining priest sex abuse. Paris Schutz has the details. View a graphic of incidents and allegations.

The Chicago City Council passes a ban to regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products. Carol Marin and her panel of aldermen weigh in on this issue, and get the latest from inside City Hall. View graphics on e-cigarette sales across the United States, and read an interview with a local doctor about the health risks and benefits.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle may soon have the authority to release nonviolent offenders from the chronically crowded Cook County Jail, after the County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the resolution giving her said authority. Brandis Friedman has the latest.

Billionaire Beanie Babies creator Ty Warner evades prison over his conviction of hiding money overseas. Paris Schutz explains why.

Chicago Board of Education’s Inspector General Jim Sullivan joins us to talk about his latest watchdog report detailing the waste, fraud and corruption he uncovered this year in the Chicago Public Schools. Read the full report.

We take a look at fun, funky and completely unexpected words with Jason Riggle, a University of Chicago linguist who cast his vote on a wide spectrum of words that range from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Carol Marin takes a look at the state of the race for Illinois governor with Dave McKinney, Springfield Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Amanda Vinicky, Illinois Public Radio and WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief, and Mark Anderson, NBC-5 Chicago's Ward Room political blogger.

Gov. Pat Quinn asks for emergency action to protect Illinois residents from petcoke. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

We take a closer look at the international popularity of the PBS megahit Downton Abbey with Rules, Britannia author and BBC America blogger Toni Hargis and Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn.

In tonight's Viewer Feedback, we share your comments on one disabled young man's triumphant story and your thoughts on the Affordable Care Act.

Judy Baar Topinka is running for re-election as Illinois Comptroller in 2014.

Sheila Simon is running against Judy Baar Topinka for Illinois Comptroller in 2014.

Mike Frerichs is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Bob Grogan is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Tom Cross is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Jesse White is Illinois' current Secretary of State.

Paul Schimpf is running against Lisa Madigan for Illinois Attorney General in 2014.

Lisa Madigan is running for reelection as Illinois Attorney General in 2014.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists consider the plea from new U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon for more funding. Watch the web extra conversation.

We take a look at how the Affordable Care Act is doing after the first week enrollees are able to use their coverage.

Zachary Fardon, the successor to Patrick Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney, speaks out at length for the first time. Watch a web extra video.

Robbie Fulks is a rare country singer based in Chicago. Find out why he’s been compared to everybody from Elvis Costello to Chet Atkins when we talk with Fulks, and hear performances of songs from his new record: “Gone Away Backward” on Chicago’s Bloodshot Records. Read an Artbeat blog and watch a web extra performance.

Chicago legend Frank Thomas was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. Watch a 2011 interview with Thomas from our archives.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Father Pfleger and others call for a new "War on Poverty" on the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's declaration, as Illinois gubernatorial candidates battle each other over the minimum wage. Paris Schutz has the story.