Stories by WTTW News

People have been drinking beer for 10,000 years. We talk to one beer aficionado who dares to call beer the best drink in the world.

The Chicago band Treaty of Paris burst onto the scene with an odd and popular music video in 2007. They perform their energetic brand of pop-punk live in our studio. Wicker Park Fest, where Treaty will perform on July 25 WEB EXCLUSIVE: 2007 "Waking Up the Dead" music video

Mayor Daley said today that almost 430 city workers could lose their jobs tomorrow if the city unions still holding out do not agree to his cost-cutting measures. Rich Samuels was with him today and has the latest.

Sheriff Tom Dart continues to grapple with the horror story at Burr Oak Cemetery. Four workers are charged with digging up hundreds of graves and re-selling the plots. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with family members whose relatives were buried at Burr Oak. WEB EXCLUSIVE: Tom Dart's complete press conference

Longtime Washington prosecutor Richard Ben-Veniste joins us to talk about his experiences, which are chronicled in his new book.

We talk to two editors from Ebony who have the latest on their new issue devoted to Michael Jackson. Order a copy of the Michael Jackson Ebony issue

Sharing meals, bathrooms and tight living quarters may be fine for students in a dorm -- but why do some adults choose to live like this? Eddie Arruza takes us inside a so-called "intentional living community." Intentional Communities Online Directory

Where can you go to find the definition of a word before it's even a word? How about the new web site Wordnik? We talk to the founder of the site, lexicographer Erin McKean. Wordnik.com

Carol Marin discusses a wide range of Illinois political issues with Capitol Fax Blog publisher Rich Miller.

The case of modern-day grave robbers at Burr Oak Cemetery has attracted national attention. We hear the latest developments from State Comptroller Dan Hynes and an attorney representing several families whose relatives were buried at the cemetery. Burr Oak Cemetery

An Oak Park family wants to lift up African American-owned businesses, and they are doing it in a unique way: buying exclusively from these merchants for an entire year. Christian Farr introduces us to this family. Empowerment Experiment Agriculture - Men's Clothing Store Sensual Steps Shoe Salon Farmers Best Chicago

Could the Cubs file for bankruptcy? Reports say it's a possibility. Kris Kridel of the WBBM Noon Business Hour will be here with those details, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Judicial appointee Sonia Sotomayor praised her mother during today's Senate confirmation hearing. We talk to veteran national journalist Cokie Roberts, who has written several books on the role of women in public life. Her latest is an expanded version of her bestseller We Are Our Mother's Daughters. WEB EXCLUSIVE: Cokie Roberts on the role of first ladies

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

Governor Pat Quinn, at odds with legislators over an operating budget, today signed a $31 billion dollar capital spending bill. Rich Samuels tells us why it's already generating controversy.

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 1996 conversation with the co-founder of the Steppenwolf Theatre, actor Gary Sinise.

Chicago is home to four of the nation's most dangerous neighborhoods, according to a new national list. But Chicago police say the figures used to come up with the list are inaccurate. Eddie Arruza has the story. Explore Chicago Police Department crime data

Can Sarah Palin attribute her popularity to her good looks? Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman thinks so, and he shares his controversial opinion.

We take a stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk and discover the dramatically transformed riverfront.

Confused by Chicago geography? Maybe you've wondered why Sheridan Road doesn't lie on a straight line? Geoffrey Baer solves this mystery and more when he answers your questions about Chicago history and trivia. Civil War Camp Douglas History of Fort Sheridan

We take a look back at another classic John Callaway interview, his 1996 conversation with actor and Steppenwolf Theater co-founder Gary Sinise. Gary Sinise's entry in The Internet Movie Database

Who exactly was Ludwig van Beethoven? A new movie opening tomorrow at the Gene Siskel Film Center attempts to answer that question. We talk with Phil Grabsky, the filmmaker of "In Search of Beethoven." Gene Siskel Film Center In Search of Beethoven

The original music makers of Mary Poppins tell us how the movie was re-imagined for the Broadway stage. Broadway in Chicago: Mary Poppins

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

Black women discuss whether or not the white community has any influence on how they view themselves. The women also discuss Michelle Obama's emergence on the national stage and how the country's first African-American First Lady will impact the American standard of beauty. (recorded October 2008)

John Harris, Rod Blagojevich's one-time chief of staff, has turned against his former boss. Rich Samuels tells us what happened today when he appeared in court. (PDF) Harris' complete plea agreement