Stories by WTTW News
DuSable Museum Granted Smithsonian Affiliation Status
| Chloe Riley
The DuSable Museum of African-American History has been granted a special status by the Smithsonian Institution – a move the museum says marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the two institutions.
Segregation and Racial Barriers on Chicago's South Side
| Nick Blumberg
A new book by Natalie Moore about the South Side blends personal history with investigative reporting to tell the story of a segregated city and misunderstood neighborhoods.
Ask Geoffrey: How Do You Make the Popular Downscope Cocktail?
| Erica Gunderson
For decades, a cocktail called the Downscope was served up at Skipper’s Marina on the Calumet River. Its recipe was a closely guarded secret, until now. Geoffrey Baer tells us what's up with the Downscope and answers other viewer questions on this edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Mayor Emanuel Makes Push for Improving Chicago Parks
| Chloe Riley
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday announced plans to improve Chicago's lakefront and add recreational amenities at select parks across the city.
Activists Call for Closure of Waukegan Coal-Fired Power Plant
| Elizabeth Brackett
Activists want a date when the 88-year-old Waukegan coal-fired power plant will begin a transition to cleaner power. But NRG Energy says it's poured millions into pollution controls for the plant and has no plans to close.
World's Largest Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility Tackles Chicago River
| Evan Garcia
The notoriously polluted Chicago River is about to get cleaner with disinfection technology at a Skokie water treatment facility.
President Obama Makes Historic Trip to Cuba
| Alexandra Silets
President Barack Obama addressed the Cuban people early Tuesday during his historic trip, saying, “I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War.”
Report: Cook County Leads in White Youth Employment, Black Youth Joblessness
| Brandis Friedman
Criminal backgrounds, homelessness and lack of education and opportunity are all factors in preventing black youth between the ages of 16 and 24 from finding employment, according to a report released by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Great Cities Institute.
Chicago Steps Up Security in Wake of Brussels Attacks
| Meredith Francis
Chicago authorities are increasing security at key locations in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said there are “no known threats” to Chicago at this time.
Paintings Illustrate Chicagoan’s Memories of Cuban Revolution
| Marc Vitali
In 1958 a Navy sailor from Chicago was briefly onshore in Cuba while the revolution was underway. The sailor, named George Klauba, became first a tattoo artist and then a painter. For years now, he has focused his artistic energy on remembering a moment in history and putting his dreamlike impressions on canvas.
Analyzing Potential Sale, Development of Old Main Post Office
| Andrea Guthmann
The saga over the sprawling Old Main Post Office is heating up. Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently started threatening to seize the building from the British developer who purchased it in 2009. Now comes word the building is about to be sold to a new owner.
Cast Iron Cooking Tips from Lisa McManus of America's Test Kitchen
| Alexandra Silets
You may know her as the official gadget guru for America's Test Kitchen here on PBS. Lisa McManus is also the executive tasting and testing editor at Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines. She joins us to discuss "Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All."
Analyzing Efforts to Stop Trump, Possibility of Brokered GOP Convention
| Hunter Clauss
Efforts to derail Donald Trump's momentum heat up within the GOP as voters in Arizona and Utah decide who to support in Tuesday's primaries.
Exploring the Science of Addiction
| Paul Caine
Rising rates of addiction to heroin and prescription drugs have been making headlines across the country. Find out what the latest science is telling us about the nature of addiction.
Gov. Rauner Calls for Post-Primary Negotiations
| Eddie Arruza
Nearly a week after the Illinois primary election, Gov. Bruce Rauner said Monday he has not received any commitment from House Speaker Michael Madigan to resume negotiations on a state budget for what remains of the current fiscal year.
Nabisco Layoffs and Chicago's Manufacturing Future
| Nick Blumberg
Three hundred workers at Chicago's Nabisco bakery faced layoffs on Monday, with more cuts looming. We take a look at how the neighborhood is coping – and the future of manufacturing in Chicago.
Chagall's 'White Crucifixion' Back in Chicago After Visit with Pope
| Chloe Riley
The famous painting had been on loan to Florence's Palazzo Strozzi since September. In November, the painting moved briefly to the Vatican for a visit with Pope Francis, who had declared it to be one of his favorites.
Chicago Tonight Puzzle: March Challenge
| Erica Gunderson
Our puzzle pro Sandy Weisz returns with a new video puzzle and photo puzzles. Submit your answer by 10 a.m. Monday, March 28 for a chance to win our puzzle prize package!
New Book Traces History of Cinema's Censorship
| Erica Gunderson
Jeremy Geltzer's new book "Dirty Words and Filthy Pictures" explores the film industry's relationship with the First Amendment and how the definition of obscenity has changed over the years.
Why Are Monk Parakeets Leaving Hyde Park?
| Evan Garcia
Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood has long been a haven for the bright green monk parakeet, but its presence – and recent decline – is shrouded in mystery.
Study on Vision Takes Hard Look at Digital Screens
| Kristen Thometz
Americans are constantly connected and staring at digital screens—be they cellphones, tablets, computers or TVs. Many times, multiple devices are being used at once. This constant exposure is taking a toll: more than half of Americans report feeling digital eyestrain—discomfort caused from the use of digital devices. When more than one device is used 75 percent report discomfort.
The Week in Review: Unpacking Primary Election Results
| Alexandra Silets
Finalists are unveiled for Chicago's top cop. A closer look at election winners: the shockers, the new careers launched and the proxy war between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mike Madigan. Plus the Adam LaRoche White Sox controversy. Joel Weisman and his guests discuss these stories and more in this week’s show.
Dog Owners Warned of Raccoons Infected with Canine Distemper
| Evan Garcia
An outbreak of canine distemper has infected a record number of racoons in Cook County, putting dogs at risk of contracting the highly contagious virus.
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