Stories by Evan Garcia
Michelle Obama’s Former Chief of Staff Returns to Chicago
| Evan Garcia
Tina Tchen shares her memories and unique perspective from working in the White House for eight years.
Anne-Sophie Mutter, Grammy-Winning Violinist, Returns to Chicago
| Marc Vitali
The world-renowned violinist joins us in conversation and performance.
In Pilsen, Monarch Butterflies a Source of Joy and Education
| Eddie Arruza
How a Chicago community organization cultivates the scientific and cultural aspects of monarch butterflies.
What the Graham-Cassidy Health Care Bill Would Mean for Illinois
| Paris Schutz
GOP officials seem optimistic that the latest effort to repeal and replace Obamacare can succeed, but critics say it will kick millions off the insurance rolls and drastically spike premiums for those with pre-existing conditions. We discuss the bill.
Illinois Supreme Court Affirms Drew Peterson Murder Conviction
| Matt Masterson
The former Bolingbrook police officer had appealed his conviction in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.
Photos: Shedd Debuts Giant Sea Life Sculptures Made From Ocean Trash
| Alex Ruppenthal
Sea creatures made from flip-flops, beach toys, water bottles and other plastic garbage that washed ashore are part of a new exhibit illuminating the proliferation of pollution in the world’s waterways.
Brookfield Zoo to Unveil Statue of Beloved Cookie the Cockatoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
The colorful bird who lived to the ripe old age of 83 had a global fan base and seemed to enjoy being the center of attention. A year after his death, Brookfield Zoo is set to unveil a statue in his honor.
Illinois and Amazon: A Test for the State’s Leaders
| Amanda Vinicky
A joint Chicago-Illinois delegation has returned from a scouting trip to Seattle, as the city and state attempt to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to Chicago.
State Sen. Kwame Raoul Announces Bid for Attorney General
| Eddie Arruza
Lisa Madigan’s bombshell announcement that she won’t run for a fifth term has ignited the race to replace her.
Mueller Probe Intensifies as Former Trump Campaign Manager Targeted
| Paul Caine
The pressure rises on former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort as the Russia investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller heats up.
Hyperloop One Develops High-Speed Pods, Big Plans for Chicago
| Anne Strother
Imagine traveling from Chicago to Pittsburgh in under an hour. The company Hyperloop One is developing pods that would travel through tubes at speeds of over 600 mph.
Hebru Brantley’s New Art Show Takes Flight in Elmhurst
| Marc Vitali
His artwork is in the collections of George Lucas, Jay-Z and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. We get a preview of the show “Hebru Brantley: Forced Field” at the Elmhurst Art Museum.
Former Northwestern Professor Facing Arraignment in ‘Shocking’ Murder Case
| Matt Masterson
Wyndham Lathem and Andrew Warren each face six counts of first-degree murder in the July stabbing death of a 26-year-old man inside Lathem’s River North home.
Why a Chicago Building Appears to be Cracked Like a Melting Iceberg
| Alex Ruppenthal
A public art installation along the Chicago River aims to bring the realities of climate change in Antarctica to Chicago.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 21-24
| Rebecca Palmore
Dueling West Town beer bashes, gourmet fare, Chicago comedians and free jazz concerts usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Mavis Staples Biography Selected as New ‘One Book, One Chicago’ Title
| WTTW News
We revisit a 2014 “Chicago Tonight” interview with Greg Kot, author of the book “I’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples, The Staple Singers, and the March Up Freedom’s Highway.”
How to Help Birds Migrate Safely Through Chicago
| Alex Ruppenthal
Thousands of birds are killed or seriously injured each year in Chicago after colliding with buildings because they fail to see reflective or transparent surfaces. Here’s what you can do to help.
Equifax Data Breach: How to Protect Your Credit, Bank Accounts
| Alexandra Silets
Some 143 million Americans may have had personal information stolen in the cyberattack of credit-reporting company Equifax. What you need to do immediately.
Illinois Attorney General: Who Will Replace Lisa Madigan?
| Amanda Vinicky
Erika Harold has a clean shot at the GOP nomination. Among Democrats, it’s a scramble. The first to officially announce a run is state state Rep. Scott Drury, who had been running for governor.
Fermilab Scientist Warns Solar Flares Could Devastate Infrastructure
| Evan Garcia
While recent hurricanes have been devastating parts of the Earth, some major activity has also been taking place at the center of our solar system.
Chicago-Area Vietnam Veterans Talk About Life After War
| WTTW News
As Ken Burns takes on Vietnam in a new 18-hour documentary, we hear from local veterans about their lives since the war.
Illinois to Participate in ‘The Great ShakeOut’ Earthquake Drill
| Alex Ruppenthal
More than 300,000 people across the state are registered for a worldwide earthquake drill next month that encourages participants to drop, cover and hold – actions that could help you survive a quake.
New Mural Brightens Lake Shore Drive Underpass
| Marc Vitali
A look at the creation of the latest mural from the Chicago Public Art Group.
Ragtime Revelations with Reginald Robinson
| Marc Vitali
Thirteen years ago, Chicago native Reginald Robinson was awarded a genius grant from the MacArthur Foundation. He joins us in discussion and performance.
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