Stories by WTTW News

Geoffrey Baer uncovers the mystery about a vacant, vast expanse along on the lakefront in South Chicago that is bigger than the Loop in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Big Head Todd performs and talks to us about his 20-plus years in the music business. Big Head Todd and the Monsters

We're roughly five weeks away from the elections, and a recent poll shows the race for Senate is in a dead heat. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the close race, the latest on the gubernatorial race and much more.

Eddie Arruza talks to noted Shakespearean director Barbara Gaines about her operatic directorial debut at Lyric Opera. Macbeth at Lyric Opera

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Phil Ponce goes one-on-one with Mayor Daley, who talks about the fallout from his decision not to run for another term and the upcoming mayoral election, and reflects on his time in office.

What is terrorism? How has the so-called threat shifted since the attacks of 9/11, and how much should we know? We sit down with the head of the FBI's Chicago office and the Director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point for those answers and to hear about a new nationwide terrorism training program. Combating Terrorism Center Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago

From the football field to the bench. We talk to a former Bear Hall of Famer turned Minnesota Supreme Court Justice. He's the subject of the new book All Rise: The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page.

Hedy Weiss reviews the much-anticipated revival of Candide at the Goodman Theatre, plus three more shows from this busy fall theater season. Candide--Goodman Theatre She Loves Me--Writers' Theatre David Mamet plays--American Theater Company Romeo and Juliet--Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Could a Latino be the next mayor of Chicago? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss that possibility, and how the Hispanic community could impact the race.

We take a look at provocative artwork from Gregory Orloff, a rediscovered Chicago artist from the 1930s. Koehnline Museum of Art at Oakton Community College Orloff at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in the last seconds of Monday Night Football. Glen Kozlowski joins us on the Bears Alumni Club to dissect the exciting game.

Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns discusses his latest work, The Tenth Inning, which, among other things, takes a swing at baseball and steroids. More on The Tenth Inning

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Now that the first wave in health care changes has begun, how will they impact you? We talk with the state director of insurance to find out. Find out about the new health insurance changes from the Illinois Department of Insurance

For almost 90 years, public corruption has been the target of the non-profit Better Government Association. Now, three high-profile journalists have joined the team to root out waste, fraud, and inefficiency. They chat with Eddie Arruza.

We take a look at how the science taking place at Chicago State University may revolutionize urban agriculture. Aquaponics at Chicago State University

It appears that the merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways has been cleared for take-off. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel has the details on the latest airline deal.

What classifies an American as rich? One University of Chicago law school professor has triggered a national debate with his blog. We look at the income tax issue from a different perspective.

On tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review -- The campaign season heats up with Governor Quinn fighting back in response to Bill Brady's criticism of the union deal; dueling ads get ugly in the race for Barack Obama's old Senate seat; Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s mayoral hopes fade in light of renewed accusations of an improper Senate seat deal along with new allegations that he had a fundraiser pay to fly a female "acquaintance" to Chicago; rumors circulate that Rahm Emanuel is leaving his White House post next month to run for mayor, and Sheriff Tom Dart is coy about his own poss

Senator Bill Brady continues to pound Governor Quinn on the deal forged with AFSCME to cut health care costs and defer pay raises in exchange for freezing layoffs until 2012. Elizabeth Brackett has more on the debate.

A bipartisan reform group says education in Illinois just isn't making the grade. We talk with the group's co-chair Bill Daley and the group's executive director to discuss this and more. Advance Illinois

50 years ago this week, candidates Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy met in Chicago for the first televised presidential debate. Many believe that it changed the outcome of the election. We talk with Newton Minow, who was a key player in setting up the debate, and broadcasting historian Bruce DuMont.

We go inside the mind of the man who created the Muppets. Tonight, a sneak preview of the new exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry on the life and work of Jim Henson. Jim Henson's Fantastic World

Before he was famous, Mike Royko honed his writing skills in love letters to his future wife. We talk to their son David Royko. Royko in Love Find out about David Royko's upcoming appearances

Three viewers wrote in to ask Geoffrey Baer about some apparent rail lines recently exposed on North Lincoln Avenue. He digs into the subject in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey.