Stories by Alexandra Silets

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the news of the week, including the bombshell twists in the sentencing of Dennis Hastert.

Meet the onetime stay-at-home mom who painted everyday kitchen objects before emerging as a sought-after artist.

Watch the April 28, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

In court, Dennis Hastert admitted to being a sexual abuser. We hear from some professionals who treat victims of sexual predators about detecting the signs of child sexual abuse.

The award-winning playwright behind "A Raisin in the Sun" packed an impressive career into a short life. Now, a local theater wants to celebrate the South Side native’s work that extends beyond the stage.

She's the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post and a syndicated columnist. Arianna Huffington talks about the wake-up call that led her to write her 15th book, "The Sleep Revolution."

Lead levels in the water supply are getting nationwide attention after the ongoing crisis in Flint, Michigan came into the spotlight. Now, CPS says it will test for lead in the water at 28 schools, even though it's not legally required to.

Hear what viewers had to say about our discussion of the task force report with Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Brandis Friedman takes a look at the inspiring dishes being served after next week's James Beard Awards – and how television is a main ingredient this year.

It’s time to start planting! The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan returns to WTTW's organic garden to plant cool-season crops selected by viewers and tackle an early flush of weeds. Also, we need your help picking the next round of crops to plant.

Raise a glass to the NFL draft, bacon-infused dishes, rum cocktails and the Cinco de Mayo Parade in Little Village. 

Baconfest Chicago is back for its eighth year with plenty of bacon-inspired dishes, and it’s grown into a large event with a charitable twist since its quirky beginnings.

Legions of football fans descend on Chicago for the second year in a row. Is the massive event worth the headache – and will it be back next year?

Internationally renowned composer and percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, who has played alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon, joins a discussion about inclusion among modern composers of color. On Friday, he performs with Fulcrum Point New Music Project.

While Dennis Hastert admitted to sexual abuse allegations in court Wednesday, he did not see any related charges because the statute of limitations had passed. If the sexual abuse allegations factored into Hastert’s sentencing on charges he skirted banking laws, should the statute of limitations even exist?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday announced initiatives to reassure residents that Chicago's water is safe and lead-free.

Watch the April 27, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Geoffrey Baer visits a retro motel in River North, a towering turtle on the Near West Side and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Jay Shefsky visits an upscale consignment shop on the North Shore that has generated nearly half a million dollars for charity by selling designer clothes, accessories and furniture.

The bison herd at Fermilab just got a little bigger: On Tuesday, the first bison calf of 2016 was born at the particle physics laboratory in suburban Batavia.

It could be said that the work of Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall has been hiding in plain sight for a century. A new book reveals Marshall as an architect whose work helped refine and modernize young Chicago.

Dennis Hastert has gone from being the longest-serving Republican U.S. House Speaker to the highest-ranking federal public official to go to jail. He was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison and to two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $250,000.

The Blackhawks season ends with a heartbreaking loss to St. Louis. We recap the season and talk about homophobia in sports with Chris Hine, an openly gay hockey writer from the Chicago Tribune. 

Tougher regulations for financial advisers are aimed at protecting consumers planning for retirement. But could new rules make it harder to get investment advice?

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will face some of his alleged sexual assault victims during sentencing Wednesday in federal court. We preview the proceedings.

Watch the April 26, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."