Stories by Kristen Thometz

Superheroes, bacon bites and vintage street murals usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Federal law permits betting on sports in just a few states that had laws on the books before a federal ban in the early 1990s. But a case before the U.S. Supreme Court could change that.

Watch the April 3, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Tensions over trade restrictions heat up as China responds with tariffs of its own on more than 100 U.S. products.

Theater critic Hedy Weiss reviews “Pretty Woman,” “Sweeney Todd,” plus dramas at the Goodman Theatre and more.

Health officials on Tuesday are again urging people to avoid synthetic cannabinoids – even if they’ve used them in the past without incident. The drugs “are not a safe alternative to marijuana” and “probably more toxic,” said Illinois Poison Center Medical Director Mike Wahl.

From celebrity to corporate life, a new book explores how our culture is shaped by religious traditions.

For the first time, Shedd Aquarium will host a full week of events leading up to Earth Day on April 22. 

Matt Binns is equal parts artist, inventor and businessman. We visit his workshop to see how his company’s custom-made globes are constructed.

The U.S. attorney’s office charged three people Monday with federal drug offenses for allegedly conspiring to sell synthetic cannabinoids at a West Side convenience store.

Chicago Tonight reporter Alex Ruppenthal talks about his investigation into allegations of sexual abuse surrounding a Chicago-area coach who was banned by USA Gymnastics in November 2017.

Weaving function and design at a local museum dedicated to Native American art and culture.

Watch the April 2, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Loyola’s Cinderella story came to an end Saturday when the men’s basketball team was bested by Michigan, but that doesn’t mean the competition is over.

Rabiah Mayas, one of our favorite explainers of all things scientific, shares some of the latest top science news from Chicago and around the world.

She’s been photographing Chicago for nearly 70 years. Meet artist Barbara Crane.

Atlanta is still in the throes of a major cyberattack. How vulnerable are cities like Chicago to hackers using ransomware?

In her brilliant play “Smart People,” Lydia R. Diamond creates an impossibly thorny and twisted verbal, emotional and intellectual maze of race, sex and “super-achieverdom.”

“At the end of the day I don’t have the luxury of basing my decisions on public pressure, political pressure,” CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson said, explaining why he rejected COPA findings in the death of Quintonio LeGrier.

Two people have died in Illinois, including one in the Chicago area, after experiencing severe bleeding related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

There have been 22 percent fewer homicides and 25 percent fewer shootings citywide in 2018 over the same period last year, according to Chicago Police Department data.

A young suburban gymnast goes to the police in 1997, accusing her coach of sexual abuse, but charges are never filed. Now she is sharing her story. “Everything that happened to me I think people should know,” she said.

The underdog Ramblers take on the 3rd-seeded Michigan Wolverines on Saturday evening. Where to watch the game in and around Chicago.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is deposed in a 2015 fatal police-involved shooting and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is forced to release a secret letter calling the shooting “justified.” Meanwhile, the Loyola Ramblers hope to continue their NCAA Cinderella story.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss Cook County’s lawsuit against Facebook, and the governor’s race in Illinois.

Eighth graders in Chicago Public Schools will find out Friday afternoon what high schools they’ve been matched with as part of the district’s new online application system.