Stories by WTTW News

The unbelievable landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars capped a year of fascinating space exploration. Astrophysicist Chris Lintott looks back on the top space stories of 2012.

A new book explores the racial identity of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans in Chicago after World War II -- neither white nor black, but sometimes a buffer between the two.

We take a new look at the original funny ladies in TV history.

Another failed pension deal, increased gambling, and gay marriage. Gov. Pat Quinn goes one-on-one with Carol Marin.

Two titans of the Civil Rights era – Rev. Jesse Jackson and Otis Moss Jr. – open up with personal stories of their relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

For decades the national emblem had been endangered, but for some lucky bird lovers catching a glimpse of this majestic animal is just a matter of looking out the window. We tell you where you can spot the great American Bald Eagle.

Ald. Sandi Jackson resigned from the Chicago City Council, citing "painful family health matters."

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

Will Bill Daley run for governor in 2014? Joel Weisman and his panel consider the possibilities.

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Is a Chicago casino close to reality? Paris Schutz has the latest on that, and how the mayor and police superintendent plan to enact gun control in the absence of action from Springfield or Washington.

Keeping all Chicago Public high schools open is just one recommendation from an interim report guiding CPS closures. We hear from the head of the school closure commission.

New rules from the federal government aim to protect consumers from loans they can't afford. Do they offer enough safeguards or will they make it too hard to get a loan? An expert weighs in.

Would we all be better off if we let our children play with fire? Pulitzer Prize winner Jared Diamond joins us to discuss lessons we can learn from traditional societies.

An excerpt of The World Until Yesterday, by Jared Diamond

We talk with Matt Stone and Trey Parker, two of the creators of the musical: The Book of Mormon.

The 2013 Oscar nominations are officially public. We talk with two film critics about the crowded field of contenders for Hollywood’s top prize.

The 98th Illinois General Assembly is sworn-in today. What are the hopes for the new batch of lawmakers? We have the latest news from Springfield.

The newly sworn in 113th Congress is entering the session with the task of addressing the debt ceiling and spending cuts. We hear from Rep. Randy Hultgren and Rep. Mike Quigley about the fiscal cliff deal, and what's to come.

Eleven area hospitals have been swamped with patients with the flu and flu-like symptoms. We get the latest on the outbreak from the Chicago Department of Public Health’s medical director.

The American Dialect Society names "hashtag" the word of the year. We speak with a local linguist who helped crown the winner.

Change at the top for troubled retailer Sears, bad news for Boeing, and what not to say in a job interview. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has those stories, and more top business headlines.

Marimba music fills a South Side church and creates opportunities for young musicians. We have the story.

The Illinois House approves driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants while Gov. Quinn demands that Illinois lawmakers vote on pension reform. We have the latest on the last day of the lame-duck session in Springfield.

The Illinois House approved a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. See how House members voted in our interactive graphic.

After fiscal cliff talks, comprehensive tax reform could be next. What changes could be part of that package, and would they benefit the economy? Our panel of tax experts has more.