Stories by WTTW News

Bud Herseth, the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeter, died Saturday at 91. We revisit our 2004 conversation with Herseth -- as well as John Callaway's 1978 conversation with prima ballerina Maria Tallchief -- who died last week as well.

The world’s first Mariachi opera is being performed by Lyric Opera of Chicago. We hear from Lyric’s General Director, Anthony Freud -- who commissioned the work -- and hear some selections from the opera that is taking Chicago’s Latino community by storm.

Legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeter Adolph "Bud" Herseth died Saturday at 91. We revisit our 2004 conversation with Herseth.

Maria Tallchief, American prima ballerina and Chicagoan, has died at 88. We take a look back at her 1978 conversation with John Callaway, and Callaway’s 2007 “Chicago Stories” profile of Tallchief.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into transportation issues impacting Chicago: O’Hare’s abysmal rating for February, increased digital advertising at O’Hare, and a new streamlined rental car system at Midway.

A group of Democratic ward bosses pick a replacement for convicted former Cook County Commissioner William Beavers. Spoiler alert: it wasn't Todd Stroger. Paris Schutz has more on who it is, and why the choice is raising eyebrows.

We meet two families and the medical director at a burgeoning new clinic for kids questioning their gender at Lurie Children's Hospital.

The writer, performer and comedian of “Saturday Night Live” fame joins us to discuss her new book, “If It’s Not You, It’s Your Mother.”

We share some of your thoughts about school safety in tonight’s Viewer Feedback.

First Lady Michelle Obama makes an impassioned plea to Chicago business leaders to help solve the problem of youth violence here. Paris Schutz has the story.

President Obama proposed a $3.77 trillion budget for 2014 that would cut deficits by $1.8 trillion over the next decade. Eddie Arruza and his guests gauge market reaction to the potential cuts.

Hundreds of layoffs; Boeing plans a $1 billion expansion; Chicago’s old main post office could become a 21st century urban hub; and the end of an era for Sears. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss this week's top business headlines.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and landmine activist Jody Williams joins us to talk about her work.

Chicago Public School officials and principals say the Safe Passage program has improved the safety of students passing through dangerous gang turf on their way to school. But with school closings on the horizon, we examine the potential effects these closings could have on the safety of kids traveling to and from school.

We hear the latest plans for School Safety in the wake of CPS closings. Visit our Safe Passage story for web-exclusive videos and a detailed slideshow about the program, read a Q&A with CTU President Karen Lewis, view a map of closing and receiving schools, and a timeline of CPS closures. Read a recap of our live online chat.

An inside look at one of Chicago’s most famous families. Ezekiel Emanuel, the eldest of the three brothers, joins us to talk about his new memoir: Brothers Emanuel.

Pieces of a famed Russian meteorite land at the Field Museum. Eddie Arruza has the story.

The Cubs take an opening day drubbing at Wrigley Field -- but has the team finally agreed with the city on a major deal to renovate the stadium? Paris Schutz has the latest.

North Korea is warning of a nuclear attack against the United States. We look at how realistic the threat is, and how things have escalated in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Meet someone you won't soon forget. A local woman shares her story of surviving World War II with her love and humanity intact.

We talk with the author of a new book and two players from the 1963 Loyola University NCAA Championship team about the adversity it overcame to win the title.

Read an excerpt from Ramblers by Michael Lenehan and view a slideshow of photos.

We read what some of you had to say about legendary film critic Roger Ebert in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists offer more reflections on the life and legacy of film critic Roger Ebert.