Stories by WTTW News

Have you ever been to Cherry, Illinois? Geoffrey Baer tells us what horrific event occurred in that tiny town 100 years ago this month in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

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

Why were six African-American students turned away from a popular Division Street bar? Was it discrimination? We take a look at the brewing controversy.

Chicago's free weekly newspaper The Chicago Reader has a new publisher: Jim Warren. He is a former managing editor at the Chicago Tribune and a former reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. He joins us to talk about his vision for the paper.

Illinois's parental notice abortion law is on hold. Rich Samuels brings us the latest on a controversial Cook County Circuit Court ruling handed down late this afternoon.

Will it soon cost six dollars for a round-trip ride on the CTA? Today CTA President Richard Rodriguez presented the transit agency's 2010 budget to the Cook County Board. We talk to him about the challenges mass transit is facing in Chicago.

For years, Black Panther Fred Hampton's death was cloaked in mystery. But an attorney who once represented Hampton will be here to discuss his new book about the slain Chicago civil rights activist.

Ralph Frese has built hundreds of canoes by hand, including giant ones to cross Lake Michigan. He's a fourth generation blacksmith. He's also an activist, naturalist, collector and businessman, and he takes us to his favorite local spot for autumn canoeing. Chicagoland Canoe Base

Families might be forced to scale it back again this holiday season because of the economy. We talk to a local financial guru about how to shop for your kids on a tight budget. Money Savvy Generation

A singer with Chicago roots is delighting audiences at Lyric Opera in its production of Ernani. Sondra Radvanovsky is here to perform and tell us about her dramatic season.

4G, or WiMAX, has arrived in Chicago. It means super-fast internet connections from just about anywhere. The Chicago Tribune's Wailin Wong joins us to explain why people are so excited about it.

Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan announced his campaign for Governor. Rich Samuels has reaction from other Republicans vying for the job.

Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at how the race for Illinois Governor is shaping up.

We hear from the author of a new book that shines a spotlight on the voters who helped President Obama get elected. Destiny Calling: How The People Elected Barack Obama

They had a taste for humans, but their appetites have been exaggerated. We talk with a top researcher from The Field Museum about hungry lions and the people they devoured. The Tsavo Lions

One of the largest city models in the world is currently on display downtown. The story of how it was made is as remarkable as the model itself.

The junior senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, made a rare public appearance in Chicago. Rich Samuels tells us why fellow Democrats, including President Obama, are suddenly taking him very seriously.

The veto session in Springfield has ended, but there are many issues the state continues to face, namely the state budget. Carol Marin and her panel of lawmakers discuss the state's fiscal challenges and more.

It's official: Chicago's Ricketts family has bought the Cubs. What will it mean to have a fan running the ball club? Kris Kridel of WBBM's Noon Business Hour joins us with some insight, plus the rest of the week's business news.

We meet a woman who has captured Chicago for half a century through everything from Polaroids to black-and-white stills.

We recap the Bears' victory over the Cleveland Browns with former Bears defensive back Jerry Azumah.

You can tell a lot about a president by how they play poker, says Chicago-based author James McManus. We talk to him about his new book Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: State lawmakers busy during the fall veto session; Cook County property taxes soaring; Illinois grappling with the swine flu; terrorism suspects arrested in Chicago; protesters take to the streets against the American Bankers Association annual meeting; new Cubs owner Tom Ricketts officially takes over; and the Bears hope to bounce back from one of the worst losses of the Lovie Smith era. Guests:

Eddie Arruza sits down with former M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell to talk about his new book, Of Mule and Man.

The Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot their destination while allegedly working on their laptop computers have had their licenses revoked. But the incident has also raised questions about what's happening in the cockpit. Eddie Arruza talks to a retired pilot and aviation consultant about airline safety.

A Chicago filmmaker joins us to talk about a new documentary featuring unprecedented behind-the-scenes footage from inside the Obama Presidential campaign. By the People: The Election of Barack Obama