Stories by WTTW News

Are modern urban planners keeping with Daniel Burnham's original vision of the city? Do the Bears have realistic expectations for Jay Cutler? A professor of strategy at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management tells us how to make goals and get results. Guest: Rich Horwath - Lake Forest Graduate School of Management

The Mayor admits that the city messed up when it came to implementing Chicago's parking meter lease deal. Rich Samuels tells us why Mayor Daley is still insisting it was a good financial move for the city.

The admission policies at Chicago's elite public high schools are being investigated by the feds. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look at the role clout may play in getting into Chicago's most coveted schools. Guests: Stephanie Banchero - Chicago Tribune education reporter Celia Hensey - student Sarah Karp - associate editor at Catalyst

We talk to the director of a new documentary about the controversial Father Pfleger. Guest: Bob Hercules - director Additional Resources Gene Siskel Film Center

When he's not playing French horn with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he has a rather unusual hobby. We meet Dan Gingrick and his Monarch butterflies.

The decision on the host city for the 2016 Olympics is a little over a month away. We find out the latest on the city's bid progress from Olympic insiders, including Chicago 2016 bid chairman and CEO Pat Ryan. We also find out if a dispute between the USOC and the IOC may have put Chicago's bid in jeopardy. Guests:

Illinois Republicans have a new chairman, and state Democrats are concerned about losing President Obama's old Senate seat. Our panel of journalists takes a look at the state's top political stories. Guests:

The Chicago Cubs have been sold to Chicago's Ricketts family for $845 million. Was it a fair deal? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's Noon Business Hour fills us in when she discusses the week's business news. Guest:

The H1N1 flu outbreak has affected younger people more than older ones. We talk with two doctors from the Chicago Department of Health about preparing students and schools for an influx of influenza. Guests:

We catch up with the Puppet Bike, a wandering puppet show that travels on the back of a bicycle through the streets of Chicago. Puppetbike.com WBEZ: Traveling with the puppet bike (06/05/09) Time Out Chicago: Puppet pedaler

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

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Politicians stumping at the state fair; Chicago's Uptown area: the latest neighborhood grappling with rising violence; Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. holds a town hall meeting on health care; Chicago learns its Olympic fate in just six weeks; Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hopes to rebound from his dismal pre-season debut; and the Cubs struggling down the stretch. Guests:

For the rest of the summer we'll be replaying the best of John Callaway's interviews over the years, tonight we take a look back at a 2006 conversation with Broadway star Elaine Stritch. Guest: Elaine Stritch

A viewer blows the whistle on the nomination process for new trustees for the University of Illinois when we read some viewer mail.

New credit card rules take effect today. But what will this landmark overhaul mean for consumers? Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss this and more. Guests:

A destructive species of fish has been spotted in the waters close to Chicago. Rich Samuels tells us why the Asian carp poses a great threat to commercial and recreational fishing and how the region is working to keep the fish out of Lake Michigan. And we hear from the acting president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes about other possible permanent solutions to the Asian Carp problem. Guest:

The newest member of Chicago's public art family is a reflection of the city's earliest inhabitants. We learn how the mural on Foster Avenue was created. Chicago Public Art Group Schudule of Aug. 22 mural dedication (PDF)

We find out about a peaceful meadow that was once a POW camp in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We take a look back at another classic John Callaway interview -- his July 2006 conversation with Broadway star Elaine Stritch. Elaine Stritch's entry in the Internet Broadway Database

No need to run away and join the circus when you can spend the night with one instead. Time Out Chicago is here with suggestions for the weekend. Guest:

The Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization filed a lawsuit today against Chicago, claiming the deal to lease the city's parking meters is illegal and should be voided. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the suit and the parking meter deal. Guests:

With a bold ad campaign and marketing savvy, the Chicago Young Republicans organization is growing by the hundreds. We have members of the organization here to tell us why it's not easy being "right" in the city. Guests:

The cash-strapped Robbins Public Library may have to close at the end of the month. Rich Samuels tells us who will be hurt most. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Robbins, Ill.

It's been an exciting summer for online Chicago news as the Chicago Tribune launches ChicagoNow blogs and Everyblock.com is bought by MSNBC. Northwestern University's Kristian Hammond joins us for an update on local online news. Guest:

Moviemakers love the world beneath the streets of Chicago. Tonight, Geoffrey Baer shows you subterranean spaces even Hollywood hasn't discovered in the conclusion of his series Under Chicago. Watch the first segment of Under Chicago (08/12/09)

Cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio talks about her latest project, Expressions of Artistry, and performs in our studio. Guest: Sara Sant'Ambrogio Watch the complete video of Sara playing George Gershwin's Summertime