Stories by WTTW News

The desegregation decree at the Chicago Public Schools that made racial integration in the classroom mandatory for the past 29 years has been struck down by a federal judge. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at the impact of the decision.

Just what is "Smart Grid" technology? As we continue this year's "Chicago Matters" series, Rich Samuels tells us how it could reduce the need for new power-generating plants.

Audrey Niffenegger, the author of bestseller The Time Traveler's Wife, joins us to talk about her new novel, Her Perfect Symmetry. Printworks Gallery

We talk to the Chicago author of a new comic book entitled The Complete Idiot's Guide to U.S. History.

Three teens have been charged in connection with the fatal beating of a Fenger High School student killed on his way home from school. Rich Samuels has the latest on this story.

On Friday, Chicago will find out if it will host the 2016 Olympic Games. President Obama has announced he will be heading to Copenhagen to make a final pitch. Will his participation give Chicago the boost it needs? We find out what the bid committee needs to do to prepare for Friday.

Another cringe-inducing, heart-stopping, last minute thriller on Sunday. We talk to Super Bowl tight end Emery Moorehead about how the Bears were able to come back to defeat the Seattle Seahawks.

Chicago's Boeing is well known for building planes, but their next project could be far loftier. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio's Noon Business Hour shares those details, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Longtime political columnist and former Nixon speech writer, William Safire has died at the age of 79. We take a look back at the Pulitzer Prize-winner's 1978 interview with John Callaway.

What do Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Radio Flyer -- maker of the famous red wagons -- have in common? They are two of the top places to work in the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. We talk to each of them about why they got the honor. The Top Small Workplaces 2009 -- The Wall Street Journal

Geoffrey Baer takes us inside a decaying West Side building that was once Chicago's first movie palace. He also explores several better-known theaters where, 80 years ago, Chicagoans enjoyed silent films in style.

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: Oprah Winfrey joining Chicago's Olympic pitch team in Copenhagen next week; University of Illinois president Joseph White resigns in the wake of the admissions clout scandal; O'Hare Airport cited for numerous safety violations; Chicago cab drivers asking for a major rate hike; combustible Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley suspended for the rest of the season; and the Bears getting ready for the Seattle Seahawks. Guests:

Eddie Arruza sits down with award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns to talk about his latest documentary, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

From a meet-the-parents river cruise to a romantic stroll through some off-the-radar galleries at the Art Institute, Time Out Chicago joins us with recommendations for downtown dates.

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

A new report says that the economic impact on Chicago, if the city does in fact host the 2016 Olympics, will be positive, although not nearly as profitable as Mayor Daley has predicted. One of the study's authors joins us. "The Likely Economic Impact of a Chicago 2016 Summer Olympics" -- Full Report

The beginning of flu season means heightened concerns over the H1N1 virus. How bad could it get, and how prepared are we? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look. Swine Flu Prep -- Illinois Department of Public Heath

A Chicago Tonight exclusive! Geoffrey Baer reveals the winners of a competition to name Chicagoland's greatest public places. It's the culmination of the Metropolitan Planning Council's "What Makes Your Place Great?" initiative.

Carol Marin talks to former U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III about his latest project, The Black Book -- a collection of bits of wisdom handed down in the Stevenson family going back to the days of Abraham Lincoln.

We preview Eddie Arruza's Friday Night interview with award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns.

University of Illinois President B. Joseph White will resign after months of controversy over the school's admissions practices. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on his resignation and the next steps for the university.

There are a lot of headlines proclaiming that the recession is "over." But what that means for the local and national economy is the bigger question. Carol Marin and her panel take a look at where things stand with the economy.

The former Michael Reese Hospital campus is set to be demolished to make way for a potential Olympic village. Eddie Arruza finds out why preservationists say Chicago will lose some very significant buildings.

You may know actor and comedian David Alan Grier from comic roles in the movies and on television shows such as "In Living Color." He joins us to talk about stand-up comedy and what he calls "the chocolate-covered truth." David Alan Grier's performances at Zanies "Barack Like Me: The Chocolate-Covered Truth"

Hedy Weiss joins us with a review of Griffin Theatre Company's "The Hostage", plus more of the season's top debuts. "Stoop Stories" -- Goodman Theatre "All My Sons" -- TimeLine Theatre Company