Stories by Hunter Clauss
Chicago Police Board President on Superintendent Search
Public to Weigh in on Search for New Top Cop
| Hunter Clauss
Tuesday the public gets to have its say in the search for the city's new police superintendent. Lori Lightfoot, president of the Chicago Police Board, joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about the search.
Western-Belmont Flyover to be Demolished
Improvements to Start in February, Wrap Up Summer 2017
| Eddie Arruza
After several years of delays, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) says it will demolish the viaduct at the intersection of Western, Belmont and Clybourn avenues and create a new street-grade roadway. But will the new plan to replace it improve traffic conditions? Eddie Arruza has the story.
Teachers Argue Against Paying Union Dues in Friedrichs Supreme Court Case
| Andrea Guthmann
Big labor could take a huge hit in a case brought to the Supreme Court by 10 California teachers arguing that they shouldn't be forced to pay union dues. We take a look at the implications for Illinois, where Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has made labor reform a top priority.
Chicago Tonight Puzzle: January Challenge
| WTTW News
Celebrate the New Year with a new puzzle from local pro Sandy Weisz of the Mystery League. The focus of our third installment? Chicago history. We've also got a bevy of bonus photo puzzles to help you exercise your brain.
David Bowie Dies at 69
| WTTW News
The iconic musician and artist died just days after his 69th birthday and the release of his 28th studio album, "Blackstar." We revisit our look inside the groundbreaking exhibition that closed just over one year ago at the MCA, "David Bowie Is."
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Jan. 8
| WTTW News
Paris Schutz and his panel discuss the disciplining of 22 Chicago police officers for dash-cam violations, calls for a federal probe of the Chicago Fire Department and the mayor’s reversal on an investigation into the City Law Department.
Black Firefighters, Paramedics Call for DOJ Investigation into CFD
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago's black firefighters and paramedics are calling on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to replace Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago. The group, represented by the African-American Firefighters and Paramedics League, is also asking the U.S. Department of Justice to expand its investigation into the Chicago Police Department to include the Chicago Fire Department.
Astrophysicist Jason Wright to Talk 'Aliens' at Adler Planetarium
| Chloe Riley
The Penn State astronomer will discuss his involvement in an astrological event from 2014 which many at the time speculated to be a sign of alien life.
Chicago Aldermen Put the Heat on Mayor Emanuel
| Paris Schutz
Is City Council becoming more independent in the wake of Mayor Emanuel’s unpopularity? A pair of City Council votes next week – one on ethics oversight and one on a $3 billion borrowing plan – may go a long way toward answering that question.
Analyzing the Impact of the Stock Market’s Volatility on Investments
| Andrea Guthmann
The stock market took a tumble Thursday as China’s stock market dropped 7 percent overnight and crude oil prices dropped to their lowest level in more than a decade. But what does that mean for investment portfolios? “Chicago Tonight” talks with three financial experts.
Commercial Space Race Propelled by Musk vs. Bezos Rocket Competition
| Paul Caine
Last month, Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully landed one of its Falcon 9 rockets back onto its launch pad. In November, Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin landed its sub-orbital capsule New Shepard. Space enthusiast and Fermilab physicist Don Lincoln recently wrote a column on the Musk versus Bezos competition and shares his insights.
Redmoon Theater Takes its Final Bow
| Marc Vitali
For 25 years, Redmoon engaged the community in dozens of neighborhoods. Its exuberant street parades and seasonal festivals brought theatrical magic right to the people. But the twin problems of fallout from its Great Chicago Fire Festival in 2014 and an expensive rental space in Pilsen have brought the respected company to its end. We speak with the company's longtime artistic director Jim Lasko.
Viewer Feedback: 'CPS Has Their Own Version of a Code of Silence'
| WTTW News
We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Comedy, Clock Decorating and Chicago's Cultural Mile
It's the Weekend Agenda: Jan. 8-10
| Chloe Riley
Laugh out loud at a comedy festival, get your craft on and take an architectural tour.
City to Borrow Up to $3 Billion in 2016
| Paris Schutz
A comprehensive list of nearly all of the planned borrowing to be done in 2016 was disclosed today by Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown.
Pierre Boulez, Revered Composer and Conductor, Dies at 90
| Evan Garcia
For over half a century, the French musician pushed the envelope with his compositions and conducting work. His family confirmed he died Tuesday at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany. At the time of his death, he was the conductor emeritus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Funeral Held for Bettie Jones
| Hunter Clauss
Bettie Jones, the 55-year-old woman who was accidentally shot and killed by police on Dec. 26, was laid to rest Wednesday. Jones’ family recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago. Joining us to talk about Jones and the lawsuit is attorney Larry Rogers Jr.
Recycling in Chicago: No More Plastic Bags, Says City
New Website Explains What Can and Can’t be Recycled
| Kristen Thometz
Starting Jan. 1, items placed in the city’s blue recycling carts must be loose. That means no plastic bags. Learn more about Chicago's rules for recycling.
Crain’s Roundup: Hospitals Fight the FTC, Developer Bets on Fulton Market
| Alexandra Silets
NorthShore University Health System and Advocate Health Care are battling the Federal Trade Commission over their megamerger and a developer is betting millions on the next big retail market. Crain’s Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer joins “Chicago Tonight” with these stories and more.
Emoji, -ism and Identity: The 2015 Words of the Year
| Nick Blumberg
Gender identity, social movements, and the changing way we communicate with each other all helped shape the list of words that dominated 2015. University of Chicago linguist Jason Riggle joins “Chicago Tonight” to talk about which words were big and why.
Ask Geoffrey: Chicago's Crusade Against Air Pollution
| Erica Gunderson
Not that long ago, air pollution from burning coal made the Windy City more like the Smoggy City. Geoffrey Baer tells us how Chicago cleaned up its act.
Shedd Aquarium Announces New President
| Chloe Riley
Bridget Coughlin will replace current CEO Ted Beattie, who retires this year.
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