Stories by Jay Shefsky

Once there were dozens of men's hatmakers in Chicago. Today, there is only one. Jay Shefsky takes us inside Optimo Hats.

Chicago Public School officials and principals say the Safe Passage program has improved the safety of students passing through dangerous gang turf on their way to school. But with school closings on the horizon, we examine the potential effects these closings could have on the safety of kids traveling to and from school.

View an interactive map of Chicago Public Schools that currently have Safe Passage programs in place.

We hear the latest plans for School Safety in the wake of CPS closings. Visit our Safe Passage story for web-exclusive videos and a detailed slideshow about the program, read a Q&A with CTU President Karen Lewis, view a map of closing and receiving schools, and a timeline of CPS closures. Read a recap of our live online chat.

We spoke with Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis about school safety, closings and more. Read what she had to say.

We have heard a lot about school closings, but where exactly will affected Chicago students attend school next year? View our interactive map to make sense of the shuffle.

View our timeline for more on the steps leading up to the CPS final closure list, and what parents should expect next. 

An inside look at one of Chicago’s most famous families. Ezekiel Emanuel, the eldest of the three brothers, joins us to talk about his new memoir: Brothers Emanuel.

Pieces of a famed Russian meteorite land at the Field Museum. Eddie Arruza has the story.

The Cubs take an opening day drubbing at Wrigley Field -- but has the team finally agreed with the city on a major deal to renovate the stadium? Paris Schutz has the latest.

North Korea is warning of a nuclear attack against the United States. We look at how realistic the threat is, and how things have escalated in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Meet someone you won't soon forget. A local woman shares her story of surviving World War II with her love and humanity intact.

We talk with the author of a new book and two players from the 1963 Loyola University NCAA Championship team about the adversity it overcame to win the title.

Read an excerpt from Ramblers by Michael Lenehan and view a slideshow of photos.

We read what some of you had to say about legendary film critic Roger Ebert in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists offer more reflections on the life and legacy of film critic Roger Ebert.

Historic artwork, foodie heaven and the world's largest improv festival. Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Roger Ebert has died at age 70 after a long battle with cancer. Watch Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm for more on his legacy and career.

Chaz Ebert, President Obama, and others responded today to the news of Roger Ebert's passing.

An excerpt from 1,001 Days in the Bleachers: A Quarter Century of Chicago Sports, by Ted Cox

Chicago Public Schools Chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett and the School Board faced angry parents for the first time since the announcement that 54 schools would close. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Is Chicago’s epidemic of violence slowly improving? Are police strategies as effective as the city insists they are? We talk with Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.

A new program promises to make homes more energy-efficient while offering instant rebates to Chicago area homeowners. We explore Energy Impact Illinois.

Sequestration grounds the Thunderbirds. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

In tonight's Scientific Chicago, Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at a recent scientific study that delves deep into what happens as we recall events from our past.