Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

After touring Chicago’s industry-dominated Southeast Side on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin pressed the Environmental Protection Agency to increase monitoring of brain-damaging manganese dust. 

We visit a local nonprofit that offers free scuba training to adults and children with special needs.

She’s been on the scene for 10 years – and just turned 14 years old. Ada Grey tells us about her experiences as a Chicago theater critic.

Each year, self-proclaimed “rednecks” try to rid the Illinois River of Asian carp – one flying fish at a time. We visit the small town of Bath for a look.

Why the 2020 census could include a question about citizenship – and why there’s a legal effort to block it.

Women enrolled in public insurance programs are entitled to receive coverage for comprehensive family planning care, according to federal guidelines. But new research reveals Cook County women may face additional barriers in accessing reproductive health care.

The estate of Terrell Eason claims Chicago police officers used excessive force during a July 3 foot pursuit that led to the 33-year-old’s death.

How a simple storage system is proving to be so much more for homeless youth trying to unlock a brighter future.

Watch the Aug. 8, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

City officials may have some thoughts about solving violence in Chicago, but not everyone’s on board. What some community members have to say. 

Controversial conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been banned by several social media platforms. Were they within their their rights, or is this censorship?

An alderman is raising the alarm on the skyrocketing cost of natural gas prices in the city. 

As part of a relatively new Lincoln Park Zoo project, guano from bats across the Chicago area is collected and tested for levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress. 

A revolutionary new telescope detects a mysterious signal, and why sleeping with the light on could increase your risk for diabetes. Rabiah Mayas joins us with stories making headlines in the world of science.

Ahead of Election Day, organizers behind a January event that drew 300,000 people downtown plan to hold another march and rally designed to inspire voter turnout.

Hot dogs, a back-to-school parade, news quizzes and classical music usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Twenty public schools in Chicago will be part of a new pilot program aimed at connecting school communities with local after-school, health and family engagement services.

Geoffrey Baer brings us the history of the Chicago Motor Club and its bygone penchant for posting traffic signs in the public way in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Watch the Aug. 7, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Construction on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus recently exposed a slice of Chicago’s buried past.

The Chicago Blackhawks legend played 22 seasons with the team, and is the franchise leader in assists, points and games played. He died Tuesday.

Some community groups are speaking out after construction equipment was seen removing trees and digging up the field on the southern end of Jackson Park. 

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that Russian-backed hackers have infiltrated the control rooms of hundreds of utility companies across the country.

We take an inside look at Northwestern University's new $270 million athletic center and Jeanne Gang’s new environmentally conscious apartment tower in Hyde Park.

A judge blocks the release of blueprints for 3D printed guns. Is it reasonable regulation, or a violation of the First Amendment?

Michael Madigan and his political organization are under fire once again. This time, it involves a volunteer who has been charged with murder. We go inside the WBEZ investigation.