Stories by Alexandra Silets

Can childhood trauma lead to long-term heart disease? A growing body of evidence says yes, but it’s not just heart health that’s impacted. Toxic stress can lead to a multitude of health consequences.

In his first State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass his $1.5 trillion plan to “rebuild our crumbling infrastructure.” But how far will that money go?

The gloves came off Tuesday as Democratic candidates for governor faced off on TV. Carol Marin and guests discuss the latest on that race, and the crowded Democratic field for attorney general.

Marilynn Gardner took the reins of Navy Pier in 2011 and has overseen its $300 million transformation as the pier’s president and CEO. She joins us in discussion.

The Illinois primary is just eight weeks away. Will state lawmakers dodge controversial issues before the March 20 election?

After many meetings with the community and a lot of pushback, the Obama Presidential Center design has undergone a number of changes. But do the plan revisions make it better? 

The Obama Foundation revised its plans for the Jackson Park project after criticism, but activists still have significant concerns over roadwork, traffic and community engagement.

The author, actor and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member tells us about her new stand-up residency at The Second City.

Will the attorney general’s reversal of an Obama-era policy give prosecutors free rein to aggressively enforce pot prohibition?

Congress has passed the most significant tax code reform since Ronald Reagan was president. How will the sweeping overhaul impact your bottom line? We get advice and tax tips from two experts. 

From the quirky coming-of-age story “Lady Bird” to the latest in the Star Wars saga, we have some holiday movie reviews.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel blasts President Donald Trump on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios faces a lawsuit charging racial discrimination in the property tax assessment system. And Cubs announcer Pat Hughes reveals a health scare.

Kids are feeling more anxiety these days, especially in elite public high schools. That’s according to a recent series by the Chicago Tribune and Pioneer Press. We discuss childhood anxiety and some treatments.

President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that the U.S. is formally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital rocked the Middle East. We discuss the future of Jerusalem and the peace process.

White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster believes the U.S. is inching closer to war with North Korea.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez drops a bombshell announcement after 13 terms in Congress. Cook County’s soda tax is dead, but political ramifications linger. Elon Musk is bidding on the O’Hare express train project. And the Bears lose patience with coach John Fox. 

The host of the popular PBS travel show testifies before a legislative panel on the legalization of marijuana. “I’m not pro-marijuana,” Rick Steves told us. “I’m really anti-prohibition and I’m pro-civil liberties.”

With CPS enrollment down by 32,000—and the school-closing moratorium coming to an end—is another wave of Chicago school closings possible? WBEZ reporter Sarah Karp joins us in discussion.

China’s most prominent environmental activist talks about the country’s pollution crisis.

Many doctors have long believed the threshold for high blood pressure needed to be lower. On Monday, that change was made.

From the obvious game changers to the surprising—and controversial—a new book by the publisher of N’DIGO profiles the biggest Chicago icons.

Coverage of local news took a giant step backwards with the closing of hyperlocal news websites DNAinfo Chicago and Chicagoist. A look at the changing media landscape.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez says President Trump is “unfit to be president.” Security is stepped up in the wake of a fatal truck attack in New York City. Sex abuse allegations shake up Springfield. And Rod Blagojevich appeals to the Supreme Court.

Otis Wilson was a key member of the Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl team. He joins us to discuss his new book “If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Chicago Bears Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box.”

We take a closer look at the race for governor in both parties, and the surprise candidate running for attorney general.

Were children put in danger when Chicago Public Schools charter schools hired 163 former CPS employees on a “do not hire” list? Chicago Board of Education Inspector General Nicholas Schuler joins us.