Stories by WTTW News

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, Lauren Bacall, 89, died in New York City. The legendary actress began a film career in the 1940s and continued to act for nearly 70 years. We revisit a conversation she had with former Chicago Tonight host John Callaway.

Chicago native, comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams died at the age of 63. We take a look back at his life and career. 

In the wake of Robin Williams's death, apparently from suicide, we discuss depression with an expert in mental illness.

Are aldermen trying to operate without any oversight? We'll talk to the outspoken legislative inspector general about why he feels he needs more money to do his job.

A young scientist works to repair the world, one school bus at a time. Brandis Friedman has his story.   

What's behind some candidates seeming personality transplants? We talk to three of Chicago's top media trainers who give us the insight behind good, bad, and ugly messaging.

Carol Marin and four political journalists analyze where the candidates stand in the latest polls, and how money is influencing the hotly contested races.

We sit down with experts to check in on the crisis in Iraq.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is taking the residue of human waste from their water filtration process and transforming into a powerful soil additive/fertilizer that is used in parks, golf courses, and farms throughout the area.

Chief meteorologist at WGN Tom Skilling co-authored an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune regarding climate change and the potential effects of inaction. We discuss the issue with him tonight. 

Shark Week is back. We discuss our continuing fascination with the ocean's top predator with shark expert Lise Watson of the Shedd Aquarium.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the upcoming mayoral race, and whether potential candidates Karen Lewis and Alderman Bob Fioretti pose a real challenge to Rahm Emanuel.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists recap this week's headlines.

Karen Lewis stops by to discuss her political future and more. 

The author of the upcoming book, "The Mockingbird Next Door," details her friendship with Harper Lee, the reclusive author of the classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."

A new Science & Symphony production is premiering at the Grant Park Music Festival. It's a musical and visual journey through the Northern Lights.

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

After a 10 year, 4 billion mile long journey, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft made history today as the first spacecraft to go into orbit around a comet.

The discovery of a tiny cricket in a 20-million-year-old piece of amber that was found in the Dominican Republic more than 50 years ago offers new views into an ancient environment and how it once thrived.  

In an age of polarization and a divided Congress, many are calling for compromise. But in a new book, constitutional law professor Richard Weisberg details how flexibility and compromise have harmed the human race throughout history.

The city releases its 2015 budget forecast with a relatively manageable deficit, assuming the city gets pension reform. But what happens if it doesn't? Paris Schutz has the details.  

A new investigation by the Better Government Association details pension problems experienced by dozens of suburban police and fire pension funds. BGA’s senior investigator Andrew Schroedter joins Chicago Tonight with more on the story. 

After being spun off from the broadcast arm, Tribune Publishing Co. debuts on the New York Stock Exchange but its first day of performance is not great.

A Chicago artist continues to make an impression on the city more than 25 years after he died. You may not know his name but you’ve likely seen his public art. Egon Weiner was also a teacher, and his prominent students continue his legacy. 

Jeanne Nolan spends time in Chicago Tonight’s organic vegetable garden and talks garden tips with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight. 

State Rep. La Shawn Ford pleads guilty to lesser charges after prosecutors drop 17 felony bank fraud charges. Carol Marin has the latest.