Stories by Brandis Friedman

Doctors told U.S. Army veteran RJ Anderson that he'd never walk again after a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. But, with the help of an advanced medical device, he can. He's the first Chicagoan to take home the Re-Walk exoskeleton -- the only exoskeleton approved by the Food and Drug Administration for at-home, personal use. Find out how it works and how it might have a long-term impact on his health.

Chicago's own Ethel Payne was the third African-American to ever receive White House press credentials–and she was only the second black woman to do so. We talk with the author of a biography about the importance of her legacy.

Contract negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have formally begun – and the union’s initial list of demands is not the traditional one. We have the details.

As a part of its Youth Safety and Violence Prevention program, the YMCA of Metro Chicago has launched the Urban Warriors program. The unique program brings together post-9/11 combat veterans with teens from some of Chicago's tougher neighborhoods for mentoring and bonding over their shared experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder.

As schools across the state begin to administer the controversial PARCC test to students, parents and legislators are pushing a movement and legislation to allow parents to let their children opt out of the test.

March 7 is the 50th anniversary of what became known in history as “Bloody Sunday.” It was the day a group of southern blacks attempted to march from the town of Selma, Ala. to Montgomery. Hear the voices of some of Selma's own and Chicago's own as they recount their memories of Selma before, during, and after that fateful Sunday.

Over the weekend, students from 13 Illinois high school students competed for their chance to represent Illinois in a national cooking competition. The budding "cheftestants" may be only high school students now, but with the help of the ProStart Invitational competition, they can hope to be the next Grant Achatz or Stephanie Izard.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced this morning that the district will, in fact, administer the PARCC test to all required grades, rather than 10 percent of schools as previously planned. We have the details.

Recruiting college graduates into the popular teaching corps Teach For America isn't as easy as it used to be. We talk with them about what the organization thinks is causing the slowdown.

In recent weeks, the Chicago Board of Education has received letters from both the state Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education threatening the loss of more than $1 billion if Chicago Public Schools fails to administer the controversial standardized test, PARCC. Wednesday's meeting is the Board's first since those communications from the state and federal governments. Find out what, if any, action they take. We also have reaction to the referendum on an elected school board, and information on what actions the school board is considering to save $10 million.

A local filmmaker was honored with an Academy Award nomination for the documentary, Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall. Though the film buzz has ended, its creator is on a mission to bring more inmate-operated hospice care to prisons all over the country. We talk with him about his efforts and the prison hospice system in Illinois.

The federal government is warning Chicago Public Schools against sanctions for its decision to administer the controversial PARCC test to 10 percent of students.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is back at work and talking to Chicago Tonight about her recovery, the mayoral race, and the controversial PARCC testing.

A new project from the University of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools focuses on preparing middle school students for college readiness.

The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research details how students were impacted by the decision to close 50 elementary schools in May 2013.

Whether it’s been 10 years or 30 years since they dropped out of high school, men and women who went on to serve time in jail or prison are finally getting their diplomas. We explain how programs like St. Leonard’s Ministries are getting help from Cook County to keep people out of jail and reduce violence.

For the second day, Chicago Public Schools are closed because of cold weather, but not everyone agrees.

Chicago Public Schools will be closed for a second day tomorrow because of the extreme weather.

Gov. Pat Quinn speaks to the City Club of Chicago during his final days in office.

Chicagoans are bracing for a wintry week to start off the first full week of the New Year. Send us your severe weather photos here.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk expands efforts to fight heroin overdoses in Cook and surrounding counties.

A recent exhibit at the Chicago History Museum explains how the Mile became known for being Magnificent.

The Atlantic correspondent and author Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses his thoughts on the students at North Lawndale College Prep, his mea culpa for glossing over the accusations against Bill Cosby in the past, and he explains why The Case for Reparations is unrelated to the black conservatives’ argument.

With support from the Chicago Public Education Fund, a CPS K-12 magnet school is using time and technology to benefit students.

A new report updates the percentage of Chicago Public Schools' ninth-graders who will graduate from college by the time they turn 25.

Critics say video gambling cafés are proliferating in a loophole of the state's video gambling law.