Stories by WTTW News

Sharing meals, bathrooms and tight living quarters may be fine for students in a dorm -- but why do some adults choose to live like this? Eddie Arruza takes us inside a so-called "intentional living community." Intentional Communities Online Directory

Where can you go to find the definition of a word before it's even a word? How about the new web site Wordnik? We talk to the founder of the site, lexicographer Erin McKean. Wordnik.com

Governor Pat Quinn, at odds with legislators over an operating budget, today signed a $31 billion dollar capital spending bill. Rich Samuels tells us why it's already generating controversy.

Carol Marin discusses a wide range of Illinois political issues with Capitol Fax Blog publisher Rich Miller.

The case of modern-day grave robbers at Burr Oak Cemetery has attracted national attention. We hear the latest developments from State Comptroller Dan Hynes and an attorney representing several families whose relatives were buried at the cemetery. Burr Oak Cemetery

An Oak Park family wants to lift up African American-owned businesses, and they are doing it in a unique way: buying exclusively from these merchants for an entire year. Christian Farr introduces us to this family. Empowerment Experiment Agriculture - Men's Clothing Store Sensual Steps Shoe Salon Farmers Best Chicago

Could the Cubs file for bankruptcy? Reports say it's a possibility. Kris Kridel of the WBBM Noon Business Hour will be here with those details, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Judicial appointee Sonia Sotomayor praised her mother during today's Senate confirmation hearing. We talk to veteran national journalist Cokie Roberts, who has written several books on the role of women in public life. Her latest is an expanded version of her bestseller We Are Our Mother's Daughters. WEB EXCLUSIVE: Cokie Roberts on the role of first ladies

We hear what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

For the rest of the summer we'll be replaying the best of John Callaway's interviews over the years. Tonight we take a look back at a 1996 conversation with the co-founder of the Steppenwolf Theatre, actor Gary Sinise.

Chicago is home to four of the nation's most dangerous neighborhoods, according to a new national list. But Chicago police say the figures used to come up with the list are inaccurate. Eddie Arruza has the story. Explore Chicago Police Department crime data

Can Sarah Palin attribute her popularity to her good looks? Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman thinks so, and he shares his controversial opinion.

We take a stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk and discover the dramatically transformed riverfront.

Confused by Chicago geography? Maybe you've wondered why Sheridan Road doesn't lie on a straight line? Geoffrey Baer solves this mystery and more when he answers your questions about Chicago history and trivia. Civil War Camp Douglas History of Fort Sheridan

We take a look back at another classic John Callaway interview, his 1996 conversation with actor and Steppenwolf Theater co-founder Gary Sinise. Gary Sinise's entry in The Internet Movie Database

Who exactly was Ludwig van Beethoven? A new movie opening tomorrow at the Gene Siskel Film Center attempts to answer that question. We talk with Phil Grabsky, the filmmaker of "In Search of Beethoven." Gene Siskel Film Center In Search of Beethoven

The original music makers of Mary Poppins tell us how the movie was re-imagined for the Broadway stage. Broadway in Chicago: Mary Poppins

We hear what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Sen. Roland Burris not running for another term; Lisa Madigan decides not to run for governor or the U.S. Senate; the never-ending state budget battle rages on; a cemetery scandal is unearthed by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart; Michael Jackson's memorial seen around the world; Is Sam Zell finally ready to unload the Cubs?; Chicago's downtown condo market tanking; and the Cubs and Sox ready for the All-Star break. Guests:

John Harris, Rod Blagojevich's one-time chief of staff, has turned against his former boss. Rich Samuels tells us what happened today when he appeared in court. (PDF) Harris' complete plea agreement

Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today that she would be seeking re-election to her current post, dispelling rumors that she would run for U.S. Senate or the office of Governor. She sits down with Carol Marin to discuss her decision and the state of Illinois politics. Full text of Lisa Madigan's announcement Office of the Illinois Attorney General

A report card for Chicago public schools came out today. The number of students meeting or exceeding state expectations has risen by two percentage points. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman tells us exactly what that means for the city. Commercial Club Civic Committee's Full Report Video from July 2 Chicago Tonight segment discussing study

The Chicago Tribune's Dawn Trice joins us to discuss our joint five-part online series that explores women's body image issues and race. Watch video discussions among series participants and learn more about the issue as they discuss what race and body image means to them. Then, share your thoughts on the Chicago Tonight Message Board. Race and Body Image

Last year's box office hit The Dark Knight filmed some scenes inside Chicago's famed post office. We take a peek inside the landmark building as the post office prepares to auction it off to the highest bidder.

Black women discuss whether or not the white community has any influence on how they view themselves. The women also discuss Michelle Obama's emergence on the national stage and how the country's first African-American First Lady will impact the American standard of beauty. (recorded October 2008)

Caucasian women speak about the constant barrage of images depicted on television, movies, and in advertisements and the effects of those images. The ladies also share their thoughts on women altering their physical appearance to compete in the corporate world (recorded August 2008).