Stories by WTTW News

We learn about a group that helps the mentally ill lead better lives. Thresholds

WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel looks back at the year's biggest business stories.

We talk to the local publisher of DownBeat Magazine as it celebrates 75 years of jazz, blues and beyond. DownBeat Magazine DownBeat - The Great Jazz Interviews

Chicago's "cemetery lady" died two weeks ago. We revisit a segment in which she shared her vast knowledge of Chicago's hidden cemetery history with Geoffrey Baer. View Image

We hear what you have to say about Governor Quinn's controversial "early release" programs that are letting some convicts out of prison.

Eddie Arruza tells us how airport security measures have been ramped up after the alleged attempted terrorist attack over Detroit on Christmas Day.

Groundbreaking transplants were performed today at Children's Memorial Hospital. Rich Samuels joins us with more details.

We look back at the state of the economy in 2009 and try to predict what might happen in 2010.

We hear about a creative music program that is truly giving the homeless something to sing about. Harmony, Hope & Healing

Legendary Harlem Globetrotter Curly Neal joins us to talk about the historic basketball club and its Chicago roots. See the Harlem Globetrotters

We learn about the Chicago roots of one of the North Pole's most famous residents.

Songwriter and Palatine native Andrew Ripp performs in studio. Watch Andrew Ripp perform "Dresden Wine"

Chicago native and The Princess and the Frog director John Musker talks about working for Disney. Watch our 12/16 interview with John Musker Watch our entire web interview with John Musker

We tell you about some events guaranteed to entice you out of the house this holiday season.

A venerable holiday classic comes to life just across the border in Indiana. We show you how the town that inspired the film A Christmas Story is saluting its movie heritage. A Christmas Story Comes Home

Governor Quinn is caught in another early prison release controversy. Rich Samuels tells us what the governor and his principal primary election opponent have to say about it.

Asian carp have invaded local waterways, threatened the Great Lakes, and are now the subject of a lawsuit against the state of Illinois. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the state's Asian carp challenges.

School officials are trying to take the guesswork out of gun violence prevention, using a probability model to attempt to predict future victims. We take a look at the program and hear what some critics have to say. Youth Advocate Programs CeaseFire Read The New York Times' endorsement of the Chicago Public Schools violence prevention strategy

Actor Tony Curtis played sax in the sexy comedy Some Like it Hot. He shares his memories of playing opposite Marilyn Monroe in this cross-dressing classic. The Making of Some Like It Hot

Todd Stroger, Dorothy Brown, Terrence O'Brien, and Toni Preckwinkle join us to discuss the issues facing the county and their campaigns for Cook County Board President.

Although Governor Quinn has suspended a controversial early release program for Illinois prisoners, another program remains in effect. Rich Samuels tells us who hopes to get out, and why corrections experts think it's a good idea.

We meet the leader of a local interfaith group that has the ear of the White House. Interfaith Youth Core

Will Lovie Smith survive this year? Will the Bears even win another game? We talk about yet another Bears blowout loss with former running back Mike Adamle.

We hear some of your thoughts about our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

On tonight's program, Joel and his panel look back at the biggest stories of 2009. From the shocking fall of former Governor Rod Blagojevich to Chicago's stunning 2016 Olympic defeat to a sour economy, the year was packed with plenty of news. Be sure to tune in to our annual year-in-review edition of the Week in Review. Guests:

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