Stories by Erica Gunderson

Since about 1915, a 7-foot-tall stone man has been shouldering a heavy burden on the corner of a Southeast Side building — more than hundred years without a break! But there’s some debate as to exactly who he is.

There was once an extensive network of African-American golf leagues and clubs across the country. As the golf world opened up, most of them faded away. But one that remains is the Chicago Women’s Golf Club. We go for a visit.

The Chicago Police Department says it’s not a victory, but it is progress: Homicides were down 46 percent over the holiday weekend compared with last year, and there was a 30-percent reduction in shootings.

Watch the Sept. 5, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

After heavy storms, the Chicago River’s North Branch floods hundreds of homes on the Northwest Side. The Chicago Department of Transportation is now constructing a permanent flood-fighting weapon. We take a look.

More on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s lawsuit calling for court oversight of the Chicago Police Department.

Local reaction the Trump administration’s announcement to end the program that protected those brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

The head of the Chicago Teachers Union joins us with a report on the first day of school.

The international reporter talks about making a movie based on his imprisonment in Iran, and his partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

A proposed new rule backed by the Trump administration would make it harder for nursing home residents to sue in cases of neglect and abuse. We discuss nursing home residents’ right to sue with the AARP.

Instead of dumping it in landfills, organic waste could be used to power cars, heat homes and potentially reduce the need for new landfills in the U.S., according to research by Argonne National Laboratory.

Drivers in Illinois will soon be allowed to pass cyclists in no-passing zones, and bicycling on the shoulder of the road will also be legal. Learn more.

Despite ongoing funding issues and declining enrollment, students at Chicago Public Schools graduated last year at the district’s highest rate on record, with more students earning a diploma than in each of the past six years.

In addition to luscious food pics and contoured abs, users of the popular photo-sharing app can find a bevy of advertisements for plastic surgery. But a new study finds that many providers are not board-certified plastic surgeons. And that, they say, is an issue.

Despite more than 5,000 public comments opposing the permit, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources this week approved an application for the controversial oil-drilling practice.

The Chicago-born recording artist said money raised through the New Chance Arts & Literature Fund will be split among nearly two dozen Chicago schools to help boost arts programming and facilities.

New technologies that could change the way we live and work will be on display this month during a reality TV-inspired competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Everyone who has been touched by cancer has a story to tell. Through Brushes with Cancer, artists find inspiration from those stories to create reflective works of art.

Chicago’s iconic T. rex Sue will get a makeover when the largest dinosaur ever discovered comes to town. Stretching 122 feet from snout to tail, the titanosaur is longer than two accordion CTA buses end to end.

To counter the divisiveness of President Trump’s proposed border wall, artist and Pussyhat Project co-founder Jayna Zweiman is seeking the public’s help to create 2,000 miles of welcome blankets to give to new immigrants.

Springfield finally passes a school funding bill. More taxes for Chicago schools. City Council cracks down on Uber and Lift. And the Bears get ready for regular season opener.

At long last, Illinois has tossed its old method of funding schools in exchange for a formula that aims to send more state money to the poorer districts that need it most.

Chicago’s top cop, 57, was already feeling well enough to check a few emails just hours after his surgery, doctors Rush University Medical Center said.

Watch the Aug. 31, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Summer days are drawing to an end, but gardeners looking to maximize the growing season have some options for planting, even as they harvest other crops.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan sues for federal oversight of Chicago police reform—with the city’s blessing. We discuss the lawsuit.