Stories by WTTW News

Songwriter and Palatine native Andrew Ripp performs in studio. Watch Andrew Ripp perform "Dresden Wine"

Groundbreaking transplants were performed today at Children's Memorial Hospital. Rich Samuels joins us with more details.

We look back at the state of the economy in 2009 and try to predict what might happen in 2010.

Governor Quinn is caught in another early prison release controversy. Rich Samuels tells us what the governor and his principal primary election opponent have to say about it.

Asian carp have invaded local waterways, threatened the Great Lakes, and are now the subject of a lawsuit against the state of Illinois. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the state's Asian carp challenges.

School officials are trying to take the guesswork out of gun violence prevention, using a probability model to attempt to predict future victims. We take a look at the program and hear what some critics have to say. Youth Advocate Programs CeaseFire Read The New York Times' endorsement of the Chicago Public Schools violence prevention strategy

Actor Tony Curtis played sax in the sexy comedy Some Like it Hot. He shares his memories of playing opposite Marilyn Monroe in this cross-dressing classic. The Making of Some Like It Hot

Chicago native and The Princess and the Frog director John Musker talks about working for Disney. Watch our 12/16 interview with John Musker Watch our entire web interview with John Musker

We tell you about some events guaranteed to entice you out of the house this holiday season.

A venerable holiday classic comes to life just across the border in Indiana. We show you how the town that inspired the film A Christmas Story is saluting its movie heritage. A Christmas Story Comes Home

Todd Stroger, Dorothy Brown, Terrence O'Brien, and Toni Preckwinkle join us to discuss the issues facing the county and their campaigns for Cook County Board President.

Although Governor Quinn has suspended a controversial early release program for Illinois prisoners, another program remains in effect. Rich Samuels tells us who hopes to get out, and why corrections experts think it's a good idea.

We meet the leader of a local interfaith group that has the ear of the White House. Interfaith Youth Core

Will Lovie Smith survive this year? Will the Bears even win another game? We talk about yet another Bears blowout loss with former running back Mike Adamle.

We hear some of your thoughts about our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

On tonight's program, Joel and his panel look back at the biggest stories of 2009. From the shocking fall of former Governor Rod Blagojevich to Chicago's stunning 2016 Olympic defeat to a sour economy, the year was packed with plenty of news. Be sure to tune in to our annual year-in-review edition of the Week in Review. Guests:

Endorsements came out today for Democrats seeking to become the party's candidate for President of the Cook County Board. Rich Samuels tells us who got the nods.

Is housing terror suspects at Illinois's Thomson prison a good move? Will health care reform pass? Eddie Arruza gets some perspective from Illinois's newest congressman, Mike Quigley.

Some say Chicago's garbage pickup procedures waste millions of dollars a year -- at a time when the city is already dipping into its reserve funds. We take a look.

Where are Chicago's oldest buildings? Our resident Chicago expert Geoffrey Baer has tracked down some of them.

We take a sneak peek at the documentary Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City, which airs tonight at 8:00 on WTTW.

We are joined by Homer Bryant, an inspiring dance teacher on Chicago's South side, who calls himself a teacher of life.

An expert from the Chicago Botanic Garden joins us with last minute tips on holiday greenery. Chicago Botanic Garden Events

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

Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias and David Hoffman had an unusually sharp exchange at a debate this morning at the Union League Club. Rich Samuels has the details.

Illinois nursing homes are not just for the elderly -- some are also populated by the mentally ill, criminals, and sex offenders. And for many of Illinois' elderly, it's proven to be a dangerous mix. Carol Marin and her panel weigh in on this troubling situation.