Stories by WTTW News

We find out what’s happening at the newly reopened Block Museum on the campus of Northwestern University, including a show of photographs by master photographer Edward Steichen and Polaroids by Andy Warhol. Watch a web extra video.

Students from the Mikva Challenge who questioned the Republican candidates for Illinois governor during our Monday forum share their thoughts in a written survey. Read their responses.

We are holding a special one-hour candidate forum, hosted by Phil Ponce, to give viewers an opportunity to meet the Republican candidates for Illinois governor. Chicago Tonight is partnering with the Mikva Challenge, a program that encourages Chicago youth to be active in the political process. During the forum, high school students from the Mikva Challenge will question the candidates about jobs, gun violence, education and more. View a slideshow and watch web extra videos.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists debate whether crying babies should dine at high-end restaurants. The hot topic was prompted by the recent tweet by Alinea owner Grant Achatz, who took to social media to share his dilemma. Also, they discuss the recent City Council action to ban e-cigarettes in restaurants. Watch the web extra video.

Chicago City Council approves the first infrastructure trust project but it's much smaller than initially sold. Paris Schutz has the story.

The lead actor in the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, joins us to talk about the film and his career. Watch the film trailer.

We share what you had to say about City Council's regulation of e-cigarettes in tonight's viewer feedback.  

Has the Catholic church come clean? Archdiocesan officials speak at length about the release of documents outlining priest sex abuse. Paris Schutz has the details. View a graphic of incidents and allegations.

The Chicago City Council passes a ban to regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products. Carol Marin and her panel of aldermen weigh in on this issue, and get the latest from inside City Hall. View graphics on e-cigarette sales across the United States, and read an interview with a local doctor about the health risks and benefits.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle may soon have the authority to release nonviolent offenders from the chronically crowded Cook County Jail, after the County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the resolution giving her said authority. Brandis Friedman has the latest.

Billionaire Beanie Babies creator Ty Warner evades prison over his conviction of hiding money overseas. Paris Schutz explains why.

Chicago Board of Education’s Inspector General Jim Sullivan joins us to talk about his latest watchdog report detailing the waste, fraud and corruption he uncovered this year in the Chicago Public Schools. Read the full report.

We take a look at fun, funky and completely unexpected words with Jason Riggle, a University of Chicago linguist who cast his vote on a wide spectrum of words that range from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Carol Marin takes a look at the state of the race for Illinois governor with Dave McKinney, Springfield Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Amanda Vinicky, Illinois Public Radio and WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief, and Mark Anderson, NBC-5 Chicago's Ward Room political blogger.

Gov. Pat Quinn asks for emergency action to protect Illinois residents from petcoke. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

We take a closer look at the international popularity of the PBS megahit Downton Abbey with Rules, Britannia author and BBC America blogger Toni Hargis and Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn.

In tonight's Viewer Feedback, we share your comments on one disabled young man's triumphant story and your thoughts on the Affordable Care Act.

Judy Baar Topinka is running for re-election as Illinois Comptroller in 2014.

Sheila Simon is running against Judy Baar Topinka for Illinois Comptroller in 2014.

Mike Frerichs is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Bob Grogan is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Tom Cross is throwing his hat in the ring for Illinois Treasurer in 2014.

Jesse White is Illinois' current Secretary of State.