Stories by WTTW News

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss their 2014 predictions for local politics, from who will win the Republican Primary and compete against Pat Quinn in the Illinois governor’s race, to whether tax reform will emerge in Springfield. Watch the web extra video.

Missed any of Chicago Tonight this week? Check out our weekly roundup for links to ALL of this week's stories on the web.

All Chicago area Dominick's stores are set to close this Saturday. We gauge the reaction and fallout. View a map of store closings.

Evanston celebrates New Year's Eve with several free family-friendly "First Night" performances, including Grammy-winning harmonica player Howard Levy. We get a preview of the event, and a performance from Levy and guitarist Bobby Broom. Watch a web extra video performance.

Gov. Pat Quinn joins famed Apollo 8 astronaut Jim Lovell to celebrate a very special anniversary. Paris Schutz has the story. Watch a web extra conversation with Lovell from our archives.

We revisit a conversation with the authors of Game Change about the 2012 election and their new book, Double Down. Read an excerpt.

The Bears get pummeled in primetime. The Eagles run over Chicago, setting up a crucial game with rival Green Bay. James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take on the Bears' loss and their chances of making the playoffs. Watch a web extra video.

Clowns relate the true story of Chicago's 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire in a stunning and funny revival of a show called Burning Bluebeard at Theater Wit. We get a preview. Read an Artbeat blog about the play and watch Hedy Weiss' web extra video review.

We share what you had to say about the CTA ending its ex-offenders program in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the Illinois governor’s race. Watch the web extra video.

As a Muslim girl growing up in Turkey, Meltem Aktas wasn’t planning to make a career of Christian art. Jay Shefsky has a profile of the sacred artist. View a slideshow of her work.

Legendary Chicago radio personality Larry Lujack died Wednesday at the age of 73. We look back at two of Lujack's appearances from WTTW's archives. Watch the web extra videos.

Community protest brings results as one company removes its petcoke from a Calumet River storage site. But thousands of tons remain on other sites. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, Geoffrey Baer brings us up to speed on the wildly popular railroad fairs of the late 1940s, where rail enthusiasts flocked to Chicago’s lakefront to see vintage and modern locomotives in action.

Quarterback Jay Cutler turns in a rollercoaster performance in the Bears’ win over the Browns. James “Big Cat” Williams joins us to critique Cutler, break down the potent rushing attack, and preview the Eagles matchup. Watch a web extra video.

We share what you had to say about the pending Ashland Bus Rapid Transit project in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists take on weather reporting in Chicago. Does local media over-hype the weather? Watch the web extra video.

We talk with the South African Consul General about an event giving Chicagoans a chance to mourn and celebrate Nelson Mandela.

A new investigation by the Better Government Association, with the Chicago Sun-Times, raises serious questions about a well-known Chicago congressman and how he handled a sizable grant from a special interest. Where did the money end up? And were constituents ill-served? Read the full BGA story.

An art museum digs deep into its collection and brings out rarely seen works, from Frederic Remington to Salvador Dali. We revisit a preview of Inventory_The EAM Collection at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Read an Artbeat blog and view a gallery.

What’s wrong with this picture of an old firehouse on Lake Street near Kedzie? Look closely at how the word “Department” is spelled. Geoffrey Baer is on a hunt for more misspelled signs in the Chicago area for an upcoming edition of Ask Geoffrey. If you know of one, please share the information here.

A huge lake freighter pulls up to storage facility along the Calumet River, poised to haul away piles of the controversial petroleum byproduct called "petcoke."  Elizabeth Brackett has the latest details.

Is a new City Council office the answer to curing the city's financial woes or just another layer of bureaucracy? Paris Schutz has the story.

The Bears are tied again for first place in the NFC North. James “Big Cat” Williams breaks down their latest win over the Cowboys, including Josh McCown’s stellar performance, and the receiving corps’ outstanding effort. Watch a web extra video.