Stories by WTTW News

Local director Joe Swanberg talks about his career, his movie “Drinking Buddies” and his latest film to hit Sundance Film Festival called “Happy Christmas.”

It's day two of the latest polar blast. How are parents grappling with Chicago Public School closures with no other options for supervising their children? Paris Schutz has the story. Send us your severe weather photos here and we'll use them in our online slideshow.

A lawsuit was filed by a coalition of major public employee and teacher unions in Springfield today claiming the cost-of-living cuts, salary caps and raising of the retirement age is unconstitutional. Eddie Arruza and his guests discuss how the state can move forward with funding the pension gap. Read the full complaint from We Are One Illinois.

We meet local scientist and entrepreneur Adam Khan to talk about his latest invention that he hopes will usher in a new diamond age of electronics that will make the silicon chip obsolete. Watch web extra videos.

Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza joins us with a conversation and performance. Watch web extra performances.

The polar vortex made its unwelcome return today, causing delays and closings. Will tomorrow be a repeat? Paris Schutz has the story. Send us your severe weather photos here and we'll use them in our online slideshow.

WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling talks about the city’s record low temperatures, and what we can expect over the next few days.

We break down the rules Illinois has outlined for medical marijuana, and some additional restrictions Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Ed Burke would like to impose in Chicago.

Illinois is one of 25 states that have chosen to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. We head to DuPage County to check up on the massive changes taking place in the state's health care system.

We talk with Chicago comic Pat McGann fresh off his first appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. Watch his performance.

We share what you had to say about pension reform and Cook County boot camp labor in tonight's viewer feedback.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

The panelists turn the tables and ask Joel Weisman a few questions about his favorite memories of hosting The Week in Review for the past 36 years. Watch the web extra video.

With only $40 and forged paperwork, crooks are stealing houses from unsuspecting homeowners. It’s real -- and a felony. Last week, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance cracking down on the "Clouding A Title" scammers, adding steep fines to jail sentences. City Treasurer Stephanie Neely and Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough join us with tips on how to protect yourself from strangers changing your locks and moving in.

A new book details the life of one of the most enduring artists in popular music: Mavis Staples.

A remarkable, free music program in a Chicago Public School is changing lives. We revisit Jay Shefsky's story.

We share what you had to say about our recent forum featuring high school students from the Mikva Challenge questioning the GOP candidates for Illinois governor in tonight's viewer feedback.

The Chicago School Board voted Wednesday to approve seven new charter schools in the city. Many parents, as well as the Chicago Teachers Union, have said they will protest any expansion following the closing last year of 50 neighborhood schools. We have the latest on the vote and reaction to it. View a graphic and a map on the new proposed charter schools.

Senate President John Cullerton joins us to talk pensions, the upcoming session and midterm elections.

After state lawmakers finally passed pension reform in December, Illinoisans could be forgiven for assuming the state is now on track to balance its budget. But a report out this week says the reforms don't do nearly enough to fix the state's budget gap. Two of the authors of the report join us to discuss their findings and the implications for the state.

Tio Hardiman joins us, along with his running mate, to talk about his run for Illinois governor. View a timeline of his career.

We revisit the story of Chicago artist Jason Seiler who scored the biggest commission of his career: a painting of Pope Francis for the cover of TIME magazine’s Person of the Year issue. View a slideshow of Seiler's artwork.

A street near Soldier Field honors a fallen World War II hero. Geoffrey Baer has that soldier's story, and he answers your questions in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Thousands of pages of secret church documents are released as part of a court settlement showing how the Archdiocese of Chicago moved predator priests from parish to parish for years, exposing children to abuse. We meet the attorneys for the victims who fought to get the documents opened to the public. Read the detailed documents.

Were they violent terrorist conspirators or three angry young men entrapped by undercover cops? Paris Schutz has the details from opening day of the NATO 3 trial.