Stories by WTTW News

Al Jazeera America launched Tuesday. Will the latest offshoot of the Middle Eastern media network be a success in the United States? We have analysis.

The biggest news stories through the unique lens of political cartoons: We speak with Scott Stantis of the Chicago Tribune and Eric Allie of the Pioneer Press.

Chicago lost a versatile and talented artist when Ralph Childs died last week at age 62. We spoke with Ralph on the Artbeat Chicago show back in January 2005. Mark Ruffin was our correspondent at the time, and he caught up with Ralph Childs at an art exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Watch the web extra video from our archives.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel faced tough questioning today about indicted former Chicago comptroller Amer Ahmad. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for Illinois governor. We’ve gathered information here about the growing Republican and Democratic fields, and some of the key issues in the race. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Thursday, March 6: Lt. Governor Forum: Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, Jil Tracy, Evelyn Sanguinetti Thursday, March 13: GOP Governor Forum: Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford

The Washington Post’s chief correspondent Dan Balz joins us to talk about his new book, Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America. Read an excerpt.

Chef Rick Bayless shares his Roasted Poblano Gazpacho recipe with us. Read the recipe.

Chicago's former comptroller is indicted on federal charges of bribery and money laundering while serving as Ohio's deputy treasurer. Paris Schutz has the details. Watch our 2011 interview with Amer Ahmad.

We share what you had to say about Jesse Jackson Jr.'s sentencing, Safe Passage, and Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists take on changes in journalism in this web extra conversation. Was the sale of The Washington Post to Jeff Bezos a vanity purchase? And what changes are ahead at the Sun-Times and Crain’s? Watch the web extra video.

Another Metra board member resigns as Gov. Pat Quinn appoints a team to recommend overhauling the region's entire transit system. Paris Schutz has the latest. Read bios for the 15-member task force.

In tonight’s viewer feedback, we share what you had to say about our interview with Shelia Simon, the push to reappoint Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson, and CPS officials calling for new charter schools.

The Jacksons will stagger their prison sentences, choosing to send Jesse Jr. to prison before Sandi. Carol Marin and her guests have analysis.

Chicago Public Schools officials are calling for new charter schools despite massive neighborhood school closings and deep budget cuts. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read CPS's full proposal.

City Council's Progressive Caucus is putting pressure on the mayor to reappoint Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson. Paris Schutz has the details.

According to Chicago Public Schools, safe passage routes are ready for the first day of the school year, Aug. 26, but some parents disagree. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. View safe passage maps.

In tonight’s viewer feedback, we share what you had to say about our interview with Sonia Antolec, former prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's juveline division, who says she was demoted for dropping charges in a "wilding" case in the Loop.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into CPS cutting back to 10 standardized tests this year, down from 25. Also, they analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly of Lollapalooza. Watch the web extra conversation.

We break down the state of the Illinois governor’s race and what's happening with pension reform in the state.

We revisit an inside look at the long-awaited Goodman Theatre production of The Jungle Book. Watch a web extra video and view a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about the recent CPS layoffs and Len Goodman, an attorney of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who filed an appeal on his behalf on July 15, in tonight’s viewer feedback.

The Tall Ships Festival begins today at Navy Pier. Jay Shefsky spent 24 hours on the tall ship Lynx this week as it sailed to Chicago. On Thursday's show, Jay gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Lynx. Today, we have Jay's web extra “video postcard” of dawn aboard a historic two-masted schooner. Watch the video.

Less than a week after medical marijuana became legal in Illinois, the first clinic opens in Chicago. But it's still going to be a while before patients get their prescriptions filled.  Eddie Arruza has the details.

In a whirlwind week for newspapers, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to buy The Washington Post for $250 million, while Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry has purchased The Boston Globe from the New York Times Company. We discuss the future of the newspaper industry in light of the sales.