Stories by WTTW News

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

After a 10 year, 4 billion mile long journey, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft made history today as the first spacecraft to go into orbit around a comet.

The discovery of a tiny cricket in a 20-million-year-old piece of amber that was found in the Dominican Republic more than 50 years ago offers new views into an ancient environment and how it once thrived.  

In an age of polarization and a divided Congress, many are calling for compromise. But in a new book, constitutional law professor Richard Weisberg details how flexibility and compromise have harmed the human race throughout history.

The city releases its 2015 budget forecast with a relatively manageable deficit, assuming the city gets pension reform. But what happens if it doesn't? Paris Schutz has the details.  

A new investigation by the Better Government Association details pension problems experienced by dozens of suburban police and fire pension funds. BGA’s senior investigator Andrew Schroedter joins Chicago Tonight with more on the story. 

After being spun off from the broadcast arm, Tribune Publishing Co. debuts on the New York Stock Exchange but its first day of performance is not great.

A Chicago artist continues to make an impression on the city more than 25 years after he died. You may not know his name but you’ve likely seen his public art. Egon Weiner was also a teacher, and his prominent students continue his legacy. 

Jeanne Nolan spends time in Chicago Tonight’s organic vegetable garden and talks garden tips with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight. 

State Rep. La Shawn Ford pleads guilty to lesser charges after prosecutors drop 17 felony bank fraud charges. Carol Marin has the latest.

A toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie put Toledo's drinking water in jeopardy. Could the same thing happen to Lake Michigan and Chicago's water supply? Paris Schutz has the latest.

The largest Ebola virus outbreak in history is plaguing the western coast of Africa as one American doctor returns home for treatment. With more than 4,000 infected, international organizations are stepping up their response and aid to the affected countries.

Community groups in Little Village organize to prevent violence in a neighborhood that sits on the border between two warring gang factions. 

As the Tribune Company spins off its newspaper assets, we talk to Lynne Marek of Crain's Chicago Business about the prospects for Tribune Publishing and its stable of newspapers going forward.

We share what you had to say about our story on Bitcoin expansion in Chicago when read some of our viewer feedback. 

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s initiative to temporarily house 1,000 immigrant children. 

City officials aren’t the only ones trying to make a dent in Chicago’s violence. There are heroes and heroines throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods providing positive alternatives for youth in an effort to help reduce the violence that plagues the city. We’ll meet some of those community activists who are trying to make a difference.

The computer Watson, best known for winning a $1 million prize on the quiz show "Jeopardy!," is now using the vast power of its artificial intelligence for everything from medical diagnostics to creating new cooking recipes. We talk to Chicagoan Stephen Gold, vice president at IBM's Watson group, about what Watson has in store for us.

The big studio blockbusters fizzled at the box office this summer. We look at the films that got people talking and put people into theater seats. We also look ahead to the highly anticipated fall films. 

We share what you had to say about aldermen voting to reduce campaign finance oversight when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Aldermen vote to drastically reduce oversight of their campaign fundraising. Is it a sign that City Council still isn't ready for reform?

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart joins us to talk jail overcrowding, criminal justice setbacks, and what he calls the criminalization of mental illness in the state of Illinois and across the country. 

Historian Darlene Clark Hine of Chicago received the 2013 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama. Hine was honored for her work on understanding the African American experience. We talk with Hine about the award and her work.

Chicago banjo player Michael Miles had a 25-year correspondence with legendary folk musician and activist Pete Seeger, who died earlier this year. Miles tells Jay Shefsky how the cards and letters changed his life.

From invasive species to summer storms, there's a lot going on in the world of science. Museum of Science and Industry's Rabiah Mayas stops by for another Scientific Chicago.