Stories by WTTW News

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the City Council’s partial ban on plastic bags, and how it will impact South and West Side neighborhoods. Also, the reporters weigh in on the city’s image as portrayed in CNN’s “Chicagoland” series.Watch the web extra video.

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

Two local economists weigh in on the latest gross domestic product report and what we can expect for the second quarter. The GDP continues to grow but at a snail's pace. We find out what it all means tonight. Read the full report and view a graph of the U.S. economic growth.

No one can dispute Arianna Huffington’s success in the business world. But after an accidental fall from exhaustion and lack of sleep, Huffington began asking herself – Is this really what success feels like? She shares her secrets on success. Read an excerpt of Huffington's book.

Chicago is filled with architectural gems. We sit down with Chicago Tribune’s architectural critic Blair Kamin to discuss some of the famed structures in the city and surrounding areas.

Meet the filmmaker behind The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things, a documentary about inspiring women. We also see the group of women involved with the film, their journey to make the movie. Watch The Empowerment Project trailer.

We share what you had to say about the ethical practices behind CNN's Chicagoland series when we read some of our viewer feedback.

It was a center of innovation and commerce for 32 years. And then it went dark, unused for another 32 years. Starting Friday, the Tower will be opened to the public for the first time ever following a major restoration. Eddie Arruza tells us it may be worth your while to make a special trip just north of the border. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver came down hard on L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling after a recording of his racist comments were made public. We discuss Sterling's lifetime ban and more with our panel. 

Conservation biologists Curt Meine and Stanley A. Temple discuss species extinction, the importance of biodiversity, and what we can do in Chicago to help out. 

Geoffrey Baer visits the John Hancock’s Crown of Lights to find out how the center makes its seasonal wardrobe changes in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey. He also sheds light on a shadow casting sculpture and why some city roads have both a street and a place.

There's a growing outcry over a plan to spend $100 million in state money to bring a Barack Obama presidential library to Chicago. Paris Schutz has the latest. View a map of all official 15 presidential library locations.

We take a detailed look at Chicago's selective enrollment schools, their impact and their effect on racial diversity in the schools. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. 

Housing prices in some Chicago and suburban zip codes are almost back to their 2007 peak prices, according to a new report. Dennis Rodkin from Crain’s Chicago Business tells us which areas are surging and which are still lagging. 

What does climate change and national security have to do with each other?  Everything according to science and military experts. We take a closer look on Tuesday’s Scientific Chicago.

A spike in digital bugs, hacks resulting in stolen personal data has led tech experts to caution consumers to protect themselves. Tonight, we discuss the effects of the breaches and what you can do to make yourself and your personal data more secure. 

Meet the brother-sister band that calls itself White Mystery. From their hometown of Chicago, the siblings export a raucous brand of rock n’ roll to a worldwide fan base. Guaranteed to be the loudest band ever featured on Chicago Tonight.

Governor Quinn floats a way to pay for Chicago pension reform that does not involve property tax hikes -- and the City Council is on board.  Paris Schutz has the latest.

Lawmakers are back in Springfield this week to debate, among other things, a graduated income tax, extending the temporary income tax, pension fixes and more. Joining us are State Sen. Daniel Biss (D), State Rep. Christian Mitchell (D) and State Rep. Tom Demmer (R). 

The Roman Catholic Church made history when it conducted the canonization of two popes on April 27. We take a look at the historic event, the process of becoming a saint. View our timeline of popes declared saints. 

Results show that new treatments for Hepatitis C do work -- but at a cost. Brandis Friedman has the story of the new drugs costing tens- of- thousands of dollars.

"Chicagoland" aired its final segment. Local documentary makers join us to discuss the cutting-edge project, review the ethical components of journalistic filmmaking. 

We share what you had to say about City Council members' push to move forward on a plan to ban plastic bags at grocery stores when we read some of our viewer feedback. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Cardinal Francis George and debate the appeal of gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner. 

The CNN series "Chicagoland" concluded Friday, April 25. Let us know your opinions on the show.

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