Stories by Erica Gunderson

Viewers spoke up about our conversation with Dean Angelo, the president of the Chicago police union.

Before automobiles, Chicago basically ran on horsepower. Find out how the city kept its streets free of manure in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We talk with experts about which stocks will win and lose in a Trump administration.

We heard from you about the Chicago Police Department’s struggle with low morale. 

Our story about Pritzker Elementary School’s lack of a librarian drew strong opinions on both sides, and our story on social media and violence prompted your remarks. 

We learn about two Chicago studies showing that following a few basic nutrition principles can keep your brain agile and your heart strong.

Geoffrey Baer investigates the history of Asylum Place, the explosive story behind a 1930s manhole cover and what happened to a magical Chicago restaurant chain in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

A new documentary by Chicago filmmaker Dawn Sinclair Shapiro looks at the history of North Carolina’s eugenics program and how modern-day lawmakers sought state compensation for survivors.

In the 1940s, a theater in the Loop was providing nightly news updates, and a professional cyclist was cleaning up with his Chicago chain of dry cleaning stores. Geoffrey Baer raises the curtain on these local history stories in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

The Eisenhower Expressway runs beneath the Old Main Post Office, causing one viewer to wonder which came first. Geoffrey Baer delves into the history of these interlinked landmarks in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

For Chicago’s municipal workers, the Christmas of 1904 was shaping up to be a sorry one indeed. The city was so broke it couldn’t pay municipal employees. But three days before Christmas, Santa Claus himself emerged from City Hall to save the workers’ Christmas. Well – kind of.

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.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for word nerds! We take a look at the candidates for 2016’s word of the year.

Viewers were nearly unanimous in their disapproval for the six state lawmakers suing Illinois for their paychecks. 

For the first time in more than two decades, American life expectancy is dropping. Is this cause for alarm?

Chicago’s rapid growth in the late 19th century meant opportunities for the throngs of young, unmarried women who came to make their way in the big city. How one woman’s practical move impacted thousands for more than 100 years.

Geoffrey Baer dives into the history of Chicago’s water and answers viewer questions about ghostly paper images haunting a South Side neighborhood and memories of a space-themed park.

Here’s what some of you had to say about Chicago immigrants worried about their status since the election when we read feedback from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Cubs rally brought throngs of fans to Grant Park. But was it really the biggest gathering ever in Chicago? Geoffrey Baer counts heads in this week’s Ask Geoffrey.

Did America have a woman president nearly a century ago? The author of a new book argues that President Woodrow Wilson’s wife Edith was more than a first lady.

What does it feel like to be part of the Cubs’ new tradition of forever flying the W? We asked a few Cubs newbies who attended the championship rally.

Before the locker room champagne showers, there were 10 innings of fever-pitch drama. We take you through the twists and turns of World Series Game 7.

Secret handshakes, arcane symbols and initiation rites are all hallmarks of the Freemasons, an organization shrouded in mystery. Geoffrey Baer talks about the Freemasons and their history in Chicago.

Clinton’s emails and Trump’s taxes are dogging their respective campaigns. A look at the latest developments in the presidential election.

Viewers were unanimous in their disdain for aldermen griping over losing out on face-value World Series tickets. Hear the details when we read feedback from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Ghouls, wounds and zombies are just another day at the office for an Albany Park special effects shop.