Stories by Hedy Weiss

Christina Ham’s play, “Nina Simone: Four Women,” is the anatomy of a song. And by extension, it is the anatomy of the angry, emotionally wounded singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist who wrote it.

Chicago police release surveillance photos in the hopes of identifying a man suspected of robbing a pair of downtown banks in broad daylight last month.

“Wildlife Photographer of the Year,” based on the prestigious photography competition of the same name, will feature 100 winning photos selected among 45,000 submissions from 95 countries. We preview the show.

Viagra, massages and toddler togs in the expanding corruption investigation at City Hall. Federal oversight is coming to the Chicago Police Department. An alleged hate crime involving a TV actor. And “Chiberia” paralyzes the city.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the political split within the billionaire Ricketts family and which mayoral candidates they support.

Gino Garcia’s work to raise awareness of domestic violence caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski. On Tuesday, Garcia will attend Trump’s address as a guest of the congressman. 

Not even the polar vortex could deter the performers and audience as Porchlight Music Theatre opened its altogether bravura production this week. This brilliantly conceived and equally brilliantly performed show was meant to defy the odds on every count.

In his first public comments since reporting an attack, actor Jussie Smollett said he’s working with authorities and has been “100% factual,” disputing rumors online that he has been less than forthcoming with Chicago police.

The Chicago Police Department points to an increase in officers and an expansion in technology in helping draw down crime and violence totals in the first 31 days of 2019.

Melting snow and potential rain are likely to cause flooding as we head into a weekend warm-up following a record-setting Arctic blast.

Forecasts say temperatures will climb as much as 80 degrees. Experts say the rapid thaw is unprecedented, and it could create problems of its own — bursting pipes, flooding rivers and crumbling roads. 

Our reporting on the bitter cold prompts reactions to Paris Schutz’s wardrobe. What viewers had to say about a certain blue turtleneck.

The bone-chilling temperatures may have subsided – a little – but that doesn’t mean Chicago is out of the woods, Mayor Rahm Emanuel warned Thursday.

The unlikely story of how a beloved local TV show inspired the career of a beloved dancer, choreographer and teacher. 

Watch the Jan. 31, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

We discuss the latest science headlines with Rabiah Mayas, associate director of the Science in Society program at Northwestern University.

In Illinois, medical marijuana can now be used as a painkiller to replace opioids. We hear from a co-sponsor of the new law.

Subzero temperatures in Chicago are not unlike Arctic parts of the globe. Local scientists Scott Collis and Yarrow Axford share their experiences working on the edges of the world.

More than 90 percent of the 16,000-plus animals sheltered by Chicago Animal Care and Control last year were either adopted, transferred to a rescue group or returned to their owner, according to city data. 

Chicago police are asking for help identifying two persons of interest captured in surveillance images in the area of the Tuesday morning attack of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett.

U.S. District Judge Robert Dow called the historic decree “an important first step toward needed reforms of the Chicago Police Department and its policies.”

In announcing her endorsement of Amara Enyia, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown called Enyia “a breath of fresh air” that will give Chicagoans hope.

As the polar vortex moves out, groundhogs, cocoa-inspired treats, craft brews and experimental theater usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Watch the Jan. 30, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

When walking through Chicago’s older neighborhoods, you can often find hints about the history of their buildings just by looking up. Geoffrey Baer looks back – and up – at some architectural gems.

Shocking news from City Hall as the scandal touches the statehouse. Political reporters Carol Marin, Paris Schutz and Amanda Vinicky dive into the story in this week’s roundtable.