Stories by Yasmin Rammohan

Remembering Homaro Cantu

Homaro Cantu, the talented chef and owner of Moto restaurant, has died.

Park District Approves Public Land Transfer for Obama Library

The Chicago Park District voted to approve a plan for public parkland on the south side to be transferred to the city.

Former State Rep. Pleads Guilty to Child Porn

Former Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham pleaded guilty to a federal charge of transporting child pornography today.

Hollywood Photographer

Hollywood photographer Peter Sorel was born in Hungary, but now calls Chicago home. From “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to “Frida and “Life of Pi, Sorel has documented and created poster images for more than 120 memorable movies. We revisit his story.

IL Senate Passes Emanuel's Pension Bill

The Illinois Senate passes Mayor Rahm Emanuel's pension reform bill. View our interactive graphic to see how Senate members voted.

IL House Passes Mayor Emanuel's Pension Plan

The Illinois House passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel's revised pension reform bill today in Springfield. View an interactive vote graphic to see how House members voted.

Owl Photographer

Jerry Goldner is crazy about owls. Illinois has nine species and Goldner has photographed them all, along with more than 200 other types of birds. Jay Shefsky tagged along with him recently as he photographed what may turn out to be Chicago’s last Snowy Owl sighting of the season. View an interactive graphic about the various owl species in Illinois.

Remembering Frankie Knuckles

Frankie Knuckles, Chicago's "godfather" of house music, died at age 59. Brandis Friedman has the story of his impact on Chicago's music culture. Watch a 2004 Artbeat special about Knuckles, and read thoughts and reflections from Chicagoans about the legendary DJ.

Borinqueneers

A major campaign is gaining steam in the effort to award the so-called Borinqueneers the Congressional Gold Medal. During the Korean war, the 65th Infantry Regiment made up of soldiers from Puerto Rico displayed valiant and often heroic service all the while facing the challenges of discrimination and prejudice. We speak with one of the last surviving Borinqueneers living in Chicago and a member of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance, which is pushing for the commendation to happen this year. View a timeline about the 65th Infantry Regiment.

Architect Pier Carlo Bontempi

Geoffrey Baer's newest program -- A Taste for the Past: Architect Pier Carlo Bontempi -- is a profile of a little-known Italian architect who is this year's winner of the Driehaus Prize, a prestigious, Chicago-based award for architects who design classical and traditional buildings. It debuts on WTTW11 at 8:00 pm Thursday. Geoffrey joins us to tell us about his adventures in Italy. Watch an anecdote from Bontempi's childhood, read an interview with the documentary's producer and co-writer, and see behind-the-scenes photos from Ialy.

Spring Gardening Tips

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier joins us to talk about spring gardening. She brings tips and reminders on how to clear out the damage from a long Chicago winter and prepare for bountiful seasons ahead.

Pros and Cons of Vaccinations

Vaccinations for children have recently come up in the news with some celebrity moms opting out of vaccinating their kids and pointing to a potential relationship between additives in certain vaccines and autism. We talk with Dr. Adannia Enyioha of Rush University's Medical Center and Dr. Melanie Brown of Comer Children’s Hospital about vaccinations and the controversy surrounding the headlines. Read an article featuring voices from moms on both sides of the vaccination spectrum, and view a graphic of the CDC's recommended immunization schedule.

Artist John Singer Sargent

We preview the surprisingly varied work of American artist John Singer Sargent through The Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection. Known as the great American portrait artist, Sargent was a prodigy whose many talents extended beyond his reputation. View a slideshow of Sargent's artwork.

Web Extra: Antibiotic Stewardship Program

The antibiotic stewardship program is offered in a health care facility or hospital that is designed to help improve the way antibiotics are used and prescribed. Read an article.

Hollywood Photographer

Hollywood photographer Peter Sorel was born in Hungary, but now calls Chicago home. From One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to Frida and Life of Pi, Sorel has documented and created poster images for more than 120 memorable movies. Read an article and view a slideshow of Sorel's work.

39th District Winner

Challenger Will Guzzardi beat State Rep. Toni Berrios for the Illinois House of Representatives' 39th District in the March Primary Election. He joins us.

Chiropractic Neck Manipulations

Can neck manipulations done by chiropractors lead to strokes? An article published in The Washington Post examines this risk. We discuss the issue. Read an interview.

Vanecko Gets 60 Days in Plea Deal for Koschman Death

Richard Vanecko, nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 21-year-old David Koschman. Read an article.

Donald Orseno Named Metra’s Executive Director

Interim Metra CEO Donald Orseno was unanimously selected as Metra's next CEO by the Board of Directors today. Watch his most recent appearance on Chicago Tonight.

Swimming at Promontory Point

We revisit a story about two men playing in the ice sheets of Lake Michigan in Hyde Park on their daily swim. Elizabeth Brackett reports. Read an article about the risks of swimming in cold water.

Web Extra: Risks & Benefits of E-Cigarettes

A local doctor weighs in on the risks and benefits of e-cigarettes. Read the interview.

Mariano's Buys 11 Local Dominick's Stores

Mariano's Fresh Market is paying $36 million in cash to Safeway Inc. to take over 11 local Dominick's grocery stores. View a map of the locations.

Video: School of Fish Beneath Chicago's Harbors

Two Shedd Aquarium Great Lakes researchers found a huge school of fish underneath Chicago's harbors last week. The fish are gizzard shad, a type of herring and major schooling or forage fish, often seen in large groups. Read an article and watch a video.

Tio Hardiman

So far, Tio Hardiman is the lone Democratic challenger to incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn.

Chicago's "Rubab" Virtuoso

We revisit Jay Shefsky’s story about a musical instrument you've probably never heard of, and Habib Wardak, the young Afghan immigrant who was a sensation on it as an 8-year-old refugee in Pakistan. Listen to Wardak perform, and view a photo gallery.

Government Shutdown: Day 9

President Obama invites House Democrats to a meeting at the White House to discuss the budget crisis. Is the government shutdown nearing its end? Carol Marin and her guests have analysis. Watch web extra videos.