Stories by WTTW News

The Grapes of Wrath is now on stage at Chicago's Infamous Commonwealth Theatre, and Hedy Weiss is here with her "highly recommended" review of this profoundly painful and particularly timely play.

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

Vice President Joe Biden visited Chicago today, plugging the Obama administration's economic stimulus package as he toured the former Republic Windows and Doors plant and spoke at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Rich Samuels was with the vice president and has more on his visit.

Carol Marin will sit down with city health officials to find out more about this new lethal strain of swine flu and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Local real estate agents have been in a better mood lately as March home sales in Illinois posted their second consecutive month-over-month gain. Is the frigid real estate market finally thawing out? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 joins us with the very latest business news.

A Chicago professor serves up some tasty observations in a new book about one of the world's favorite convenience foods. Hot Dog: A Global History Bruce Kraig will read and lecture from "Hot Dog: A Global History" at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd Floor Congress Lounge on Wed. April 29 from 4:30-6:00 pm. The public is invited to attend.

The economic downturn has forced several non-profit organizations to make some tough decisions when it comes to serving the public. We take a look at how some groups in Chicago are surviving and making plans to stay afloat should the economy worsen.

The Goodman Theatre's production of "Desire Under the Elms" opens tonight on Broadway in New York. We take a look at Hedy Weiss's interview with star Brian Dennehy and director Robert Falls.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Chicago on a Denver booting blitz; financing for the Midway Airport privatization deal falls through; the number of year-round Chicago Public Schools is tripling; Crestwood officials allowed citizens to use polluted water for more than two decades; Rod Blagojevich's reality show request denied; Cook County Board President Todd Stroger embroiled in a hiring scandal; the Blackhawks and Flames series all knotted up; and the Bulls hope to rebound from a lopsided loss against the Celtics. Guests:

25 years ago today Chicago Tonight debuted on Channel 11, tonight we take a look back at our very first program with Mayor Harold Washington and founding host John Callaway.

Christian Farr has the latest on the county's troubled finances, and the hiring scandal surrounding Todd Stroger.

The Chicago Tribune is just the latest organization feeling the heat for seeking to reward its employees with bonuses after a series of layoffs. So why are companies doing this during these economic times? Eddie Arruza and his panel will explore this question, and more.

We take a look back at the very first broadcast of Chicago Tonight from 1984, which featured Mayor Harold Washington. Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7:30 PM to watch the entire episode.

Her upscale fashions have, famously, been seen on the First Lady. Now designer Maria Pinto is being honored for her stylish contributions to the Chicago fashion scene. We visit her creative headquarters.

For more than 35 years, community organizers from around the country have come to Chicago to train at the Midwest Academy. We take you inside this school for progressive activists. Midwest Academy's 35th anniversary celebration

Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh joins us tonight to share her favorite movies for wine lovers. Alpana's Top Movies for Wine Lovers

This weekend's forecast calls for warm weather, and the list of weekend events does not disappoint. Laura Baginski of Time Out Chicago tells us what is in store.

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

We have a live performance from Tammy McCann, a vocalist the Chicago Tribune calls "the best jazz singer you've never heard of."

Chicago's first lady Maggie Daley underwent a bone lesion biopsy today. Rich Samuels tells us what her doctor had to say, and Carol Marin and her panel discuss the latest breast cancer treatments.

A Northwestern University graduate working as a freelance journalist in Iran has been jailed and sentenced to eight years in prison after being accused of being a spy. We hear about local efforts to get her released.

We go inside a fascinating new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art that looks at the lasting legacy of the multi-faceted architect, author, inventor and visionary Buckminster Fuller.

If your 401(k) has plummeted along with the economy, you have plenty of company. Now many are questioning whether 401(k)s should have become the primary retirement account for so many Americans. It's a question we tackle on tonight's edition of The Bottom Line.

What is the state of the American Dream? To answer that question, Chicago playwright Regina Taylor is inviting Chicago students to submit their own homemade movies. The only catch: the movies have to be shot with cell phones. We meet some of these young filmmakers. Watch David Kaplinsky's movie

The former governor's request for permission to leave the country to participate in a reality show in Costa Rica was denied today in federal court. Rich Samuels has the latest on Rod Blagojevich's legal troubles.

The firing of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's cousin, the county's chief financial officer, has created a firestorm. Elizabeth Brackett gets some reaction from Cook County commissioners.