Stories by WTTW News

A look back at former President Jimmy Carter’s 2006 appearance on “Chicago Tonight” with John Callaway. 

Efforts to support people reentering their communities after prison — and keeping them from going back. Preserving and sharing some of Chicago’s rich Black history. And Mardi Gras po’boys.

Roadblocks the formerly incarcerated face when looking for jobs. A new watchdog report on the smokestack implosion in La Villita. And it’s Carnivale season.

The Chicago-area connection to one of the balloons Biden shot down. Big changes proposed to help Cook County homeowners struggling with property tax debt. And an illegally built museum in Humboldt Park.

We're live in Evanston as neighbors fight back against a redevelopment plan for Ryan Field. Which guns would be affected by the state's proposed assault weapons ban. And artists fight back against AI technology.

The Bears’ major announcement about Arlington Heights. Mayoral candidates go after Brandon Johnson. Dissecting what’s in the governor’s proposed budget. And what city leaders can learn from the botched smokestack implosion.

A WTTW News exclusive: New details on how the city failed to heed warning signs on the Little Village smokestack implosion. Lawmakers return to Springfield. And how to find love while struggling with mental illness.

A special edition of “Chicago Tonight.” Life After Prison — WTTW’s latest FIRSTHAND series explores the challenges in finding basic necessities like food, heath care, housing and work after spending time behind bars.

Heat and displacement concerns in South Shore. Spiritual resistance in turbulent times. A coalition uplifting artists of color. And a sweet success story in this week's throwback.

A major ruling on guns and those accused of domestic violence. A push for a standalone library in Back of the Yards. And what Chef Carlos Garza is serving up On the Pass. 

Exclusive details on controversial new plans to house hundreds of migrants. Candidates for mayor on a Department of Environment. And we’re live from the Chicago Auto Show as we ponder why Illinoisans can't buy cars on Sunday.

Paul Vallas is a front-runner to be mayor of Chicago, but does he actually live in the city? We have exclusive new details. The fiscal crisis in Cook County's south suburbs. And a local reverend turned published author.

Recapping last night's WTTW News mayoral forum and assessing where the race stands now. The latest on an officer-involved shooting. And a south suburban forest preserve transformed into a bird sanctuary faces new threats.

The candidates for Chicago mayor take on critical issues facing the city in our WTTW News forum. And we're live from the community as residents pose questions to the candidates.

Why some former Lightfoot allies are backing other candidates. The latest on the deadly earthquake in Turkey. Previewing Tuesday’s WTTW News mayoral forum. And remembering a civic giant who died this weekend.

The controversy over an Advanced Placement African American studies course for high school students. Architecture writer Lee Bey gives us a South Side tour in his new documentary. And a woman hits a home run for the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Proposed changes to the race and ethnicity boxes on government forms. Welcoming refugees in a new sponsorship program. And giving wellness some Latino flavor.

Did the mayor retaliate against a private citizen for voicing an opinion at City Council? Why CPD solves far fewer crimes involving Black men. Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. in Marquette Park. And a profile of a Grammy-nominated Chicago producer.

Community uproar over migrants in Woodlawn. Pastor Corey Brooks is millions of dollars closer to to realizing his dream of a community center. And Woodstock Willie makes his Groundhog Day prediction.

The Chicago mayoral race gets personal in the latest forum between candidates — Spotlight Politics on that and more. A former cop evades dozens of parking tickets. And the first day of Black History Month.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on why she's dropping charges against R. Kelly. New life for the Equal Rights Amendment. Why Chicago elections are nonpartisan. And a longtime actor turns film director.

Another case of mixing political campaigning with CPS. Three of the nation’s worst water polluters are in the Chicago area. The city nears a deal with ComEd to be the sole power provider. And remembering Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull.

One-on-one with the CEO of the city’s controversial ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology company. New to this year’s mayoral ballot: civilians who will oversee the Chicago Police Department. And debt relief for Chicagoans.

Keeping kids heathy amid high obesity rates. The state's outgoing schools superintendent on lessons learned from the pandemic. And a Waukegan gym hoping to uplift women.

Reaction to the release of Memphis police video. One on one with the head of the Chicago Housing Authority. Making crosswalks accessible to blind pedestrians. And a winter showcase in River West.

New emails released in the Lori Lightfoot CPS student recruitment snafu. Bronzeville gets a historic designation. Chinatown readies for Lunar New Year amid security concerns. And how to tackle mental health needs.