Stories by WTTW News

Bruce Springsteen’s right-hand man Steven Van Zandt recently joined us for a wide-ranging discussion about the Boss, The Sopranos, and why he thinks The Rascals is one of the greatest American bands ever. During his visit to our studio, we also recorded a web extra conversation—which we are broadcasting on Chicago Tonight. Read an Artbeat blog about Van Zandt, view a behind-the-scenes slideshow of his visit to our studio, and watch a web extra conversation.

We share what you had to say about state employee pensions in tonight's viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his guests take a closer look at the Chicago Cubs trial run of new signage at Wrigley Field, and the rooftop owners strenuous objections. Watch the web extra conversation.

The Chicago Police Department announced crime is down, but its overtime costs will be three times higher than expected. Is the drop sustainable or just a band-aid on a longer term problem?

The Federal Reserve will continue propping up the economy, saying Washington is to blame for impeding economic growth. We hear from economists about the prospects of improvement as the nation heads toward its next fiscal deadlines.

Liz Callaway is a clarion-voiced singer of the Broadway stage. She's also the daughter of the man who started this show, John Callaway. She joins us, accompanied by her son, Nicholas Callaway Foster, to sing and share stories. Watch web extra videos.  

We share your reactions to a new report about fire department response times in this week’s viewer feedback.

While glitches plague the federal health insurance marketplace website, we discuss how things are going for people here in Illinois.

A street near Soldier Field honors a fallen World War II hero. Geoffrey Baer has that soldier's story, and he answers your questions in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

The Chicago Transit Authority's new Ventra payment card is still giving some riders big problems. We have the latest.

Paris Schutz gets a rare one-on-one with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson – the architect of the controversial bank bailout of 2008. Watch a web extra conversation.

Chicago radio legend John Records Landecker joins us to talk about writing his memoir, Records Truly is My Middle Name. Watch a web extra video from 1978 about Landecker, and the job of a disc jockey.  

A new report says the Chicago Fire Department is failing to meet its goals in responding to fires and medical emergencies, and response time in some wards is worse than in others.  We have the story.

Hillary Clinton returned to her hometown today to give a speech before the Jewish United Fund. Paris Schutz has the details.

We share what you had to say about this week’s stories in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Eddie Arruza and his guests continue their conversation with talk about a highly charged posting by Sen. Dick Durbin on his Facebook page. 

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

In an effort to block a proposed hotel project, a lawsuit has been filed by a landlord who owns apartment buildings near Wrigley Field. Paris Schutz has the latest details.

Cuba's top diplomat to the United States, José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez, is on a whirlwind tour of Chicago. We talk with him about his objectives and the current state of relations between Cuba and the United States.

Chicago artist Leo Segedin, 86, is still painting about his childhood on the west side, and dancing into old age. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. In the 1950's a group of 24 young artists started a cooperative gallery in Chicago called Exhibit A. Tomorrow, the Chicago Cultural Center opens an exhibit featuring work from seven of those artists, including Segedin and fellow Exhibit A artist, Morris Barizani. View a slideshow of some of Segedin's favorite pieces, handpicked by the artist himself.

We share what you had to say about about the city’s 2014 budget in tonight’s viewer feedback. in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel formally introduces the city's 2014 budget to City Council, which includes new parking fees, cable taxes and speed camera revenue. How did they take it? Paris Schutz has the details. Read Emanuel's 2014 Budget Recommendation briefing and full budget address.

Two defendants lay out bribery schemes allegedly involving Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios at the Cook County Board of Review. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read the full indictment.

Democratic strategist and Director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics David Axelrod joins us to talk about the shutdown and its effect on next year’s election. He will also highlight his November lecture at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Read a fact sheet about the festival.

Fifty years ago today, 200,000 Chicagoans boycotted segregationist policies by Chicago Public Schools. Watch a video clip from a new documentary that chronicles the protest and read an article.