Stories by WTTW News

A group of approximately 100 African-American ministers endorsed Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's bid for re-election. Rich Samuels was present at their announcement, and tells us what it could mean for the race.

A far South suburban expressway linking Illinois and Indiana could be in the works. Eddie Arruza tells us where it would be and when it might be built.

The American College of Surgeons held their annual meeting in Chicago today. We take a closer look at some new research on surgical care featured in the latest edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Just what is the National Endowment for the Humanities, and what do they do? Here to enlighten us will be former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach, President Obama's choice to head the Endowment.

Is microwave popcorn dangerous for your health? We talk to a panel of health and nutrition experts on why this and other surprising choices made a list of "7 foods that should never cross your lips." The Ten Riskiest Foods -- Center for Science in the Public Interest "Seven Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips" -- Prevention

Caverns carved from bedrock, tunnels under the lake, and more. Geoffrey Baer takes us deep underground for the first of a two-part series, Under Chicago. Information on the restoration of Buckingham Fountain

A magazine made for pets. We hear from the founder of Chicagoland Tails about how Chicago rates as a place for pets. PAWS Chicago Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance The Anti-Cruelty Society

No matter how well you think you know this city, there are always a few surprises around the corner. Geoffrey Baer finds some Chicago neighborhoods that are so hidden, they even take him by surprise.

$3 to ride the train and $2.50 to ride the bus -- these are just a few of the plans the CTA has proposed to fill its projected $300 million budget shortfall. Rich Samuels fills us in on the planned fare hikes and service cuts.

Now that former Governor Jim Edgar has thrown his political weight into the gubernatorial race, what will this mean for the rest of the candidates in the crowded field? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss this hotly contested race and others.

Could your next doctor be a robot? We go into the operating room to watch robotic surgery.

Putting Marge Simpson on the cover of Playboy is just one of the ways the Chicago-based company's new CEO is trying to attract younger readers. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio's Noon Business Hour joins us with the details, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama sends in key cabinet members to meet with city officials about Chicago's surging youth violence; a bankruptcy judge approves the sale of the Chicago Sun-Times to financier Jim Tyree; the CTA is in yet another budget crunch; video poker is banned in Cook County; Chicago is still stunned by its first-round Olympic elimination; the Cubs sale is approved by Major League Baseball owners; and the Bears are riding the hot arm of Jay Cutler. Guests:

We take another look at Carol Marin's revealing interview with former George Ryan confidant Scott Fawell and his fiancé Andrea Coutretsis.

The man attempting to buy the Chicago Sun-Times, Jim Tyree, sits down with Eddie Arruza to talk about the future of the newspaper.

The giant heart is back at the Museum of Science and Industry, and it's all dressed up for the 21st century. It's part of a new $21 million exhibit that is all about..."You!" You! The Experience

It's not just about Sundays. In his new book Soldier Field: A Stadium and its City, author Liam Ford calls the story of Soldier Field the story of Chicago. He join us to talk about the book. Read an excerpt from the book

What distinguished businessman transformed a frog pond into a castle? We find out in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey. "Illinois: The Castle" -- Time Magazine Patterson McCormick Mansion Peshtigo Wisconsin Fire

Banned in Chicago, racing pigeons have flown the coop and landed in the suburbs. We meet some of the bird lovers who keep the sport alive and flying high.

Madeline Nusser of Time Out Chicago joins us with bone-chilling pre-Halloween recommendations sure to kick-start your adrenaline. "Fear" -- The Neo-Futurists Music Box Massacre 5 The Fear Haunted House at Navy Pier Scarecrow Festival

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

Conductor Kirk Muspratt tells us about the New Philharmonic's upcoming Slavic Strings performances, and nationally acclaimed cellist Joshua Roman performs in the studio.

Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Mayor Daley held a summit on youth violence today in response to the beating death of Fenger High School student Derrion Albert. Rich Samuels tells us what they had to say, and has reaction from some local high school students.

The University of Illinois named an interim president over the weekend. Carol Marin talks with Stanley Ikenberry about what he can do to restore confidence in the state institution.

The first shipments of swine flu vaccine are arriving this week. Dr. Julie Morita of the Chicago Department of Public Health tells us where it's going and how to get one.

Groucho, Chico and Harpo are back in town. We take a look at Goodman Theatre's new staging of the Marx Brothers classic Animal Crackers.