Stories by Paul Caine

Meet the man who literally went to the ends of the Earth to see as many bird species as possible.

A lack of drug stores in poor communities on the South and West Sides is creating so-called “pharmacy deserts.” What this means for some Chicago residents, and how researchers are looking for solutions.

Protests erupt in South Korea as a delegation from North Korea arrives ahead of the Winter Olympics. Can Olympic diplomacy defuse the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula?

President Donald Trump could begin his second year in office with a government shutdown. An assessment of his first year, and a look ahead.

A fireball streaked across the Midwestern sky Tuesday night, creating a sonic boom. An Adler Planetarium astronomer tells us more about this rare celestial fireworks display.

Deaths from distracted driving are rising sharply. We talk with a transportation safety expert about what can be done to bring the number of fatalities down.

He has seemingly been part of the Chicago political scene forever, first as an activist but then as an alderman, political science professor and twice as an unsuccessful candidate for Congress. Dick Simpson talks about his new book.

They are the oldest forms of life on Earth and without them humans would not exist. How microbes shape the planet and its people.

In 2018, the notion that one of Cook County’s most important offices is still using systems that Charles Dickens would recognize would seem to be a problem. Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown joins us.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin may be all the rage, but is the so-called “blockchain” technology behind them the thing that could really change the world?

The financial markets have skyrocketed over the past year. Can they keep climbing in 2018?

He leaked the Pentagon Papers expediting the end of the Vietnam war, but Daniel Ellsberg now reveals another big secret in his new book, “The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner.”

Burr Ridge physician Dr. Robert Marshall tells us why he’s running for governor and discusses his plans for Illinois.

While Fed Chair Janet Yellen ends her tenure on an upbeat note, are there storm clouds ahead for the economy?

Does Doug Jones’ upset signal a building blue tsunami that could help Democrats retake the House – and maybe even the Senate – in 2018?

It’s open season for hunters of Canada geese, but the migrating birds have found a novel way to stay out of the firing line: wintering in the city. Rabiah Mayas joins us with that story and more from the world of science.

A local businessman who founded the Stellar Gospel Music Awards wants to create the nation’s first major gospel museum on site known as the birthplace of gospel music.

The Chicago Futures Exchange is set to start trading bitcoin, which has seen its value rise more than 1,000 percent since the start of the year. Just what is bitcoin?

A new mini power grid supplied by wind and solar helps the Illinois Institute of Technology meet its 21st century power needs.

As evidence mounts that Russia did meddle in the 2016 election, we speak with a Russia expert about what Vladimir Putin’s strategic goals might be.

It began as an effort to combat Nazi propaganda, but in these highly partisan times can the taxpayer-funded Voice of America remain free from bias?

A year after what for many Democrats was unthinkable—losing the presidential election to Donald Trump—there are signs they may be getting their mojo back.

The opioid epidemic in Illinois is more acute than in many other states, according to the National Safety Council. We discuss the crisis and a new memorial that highlights the human toll of opioid addiction.

This week, Chicago will see its first hard frost of the season—and that means it’s time to prepare our WTTW garden for winter. Organic gardener Jeanne Nolan leads the way.

Thousands of planets orbiting alien suns, giant new telescopes coming online: Could we finally answer the question “Are we alone in the Universe?”

After cutbacks at the EPA and skepticism within the Trump administration about climate change, the city of Chicago has made clear its intention to step up efforts to protect the environment.