Stories by Matt Masterson

Troy LaRaviere announced Tuesday he has resigned his position at Blaine Elementary – which was recently named among the top public schools in Chicago – four months after he was suspended, blaming Mayor Rahm Emanuel and "political obstructions."

Carol Marin talks with Rhymefest about his mugging, what he thinks of the man who robbed him and how his treatment by police have change his perceptions about cops.

Watch the August 29, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The Port of Chicago is looking to privatize its operations. But while the site needs a massive infusion of cash and upgrades, is privatization risking another city asset?

Just who will police the police? New details emerge on a proposal to replace the embattled Independent Police Review Authority with a new agency.

The maker of the EpiPen announced Monday it will create a generic version of the life-saving drug at half the cost of the brand name. But a local allergist is skeptical about how much that will help.

A new documentary highlights the work of five grade schoolers who worked to keep Barbara A. Sizemore Academy open after CPS voted to shut it down late last year.

What career path to choose, who to marry, whether to have children. A University of Chicago economist tells us how basic economic principles can help you figure out life's biggest decisions.  

A new study finds that just one childhood concussion can have profound long-term impacts on health and educational attainment. That story and more from the world of science.

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board gave graduate students at private universities the go-ahead to form collective bargaining units. What local students and schools impacted by the ruling have to say.

Chicago’s largest no-kill animal shelter has opened its doors to dogs and cats from Louisiana, a state that has little room to house pets in need following devastating floods earlier this month.

For the seventh straight year, children and teens will be guided along their daily commute by Safe Passage workers – community members hired out by CPS to keep watch over students during as they walk to school in the morning and back home in the afternoon.

Trump makes a bold claim about Chicago violence. Mark Kirk says Tammy Duckworth is mocking stroke victims. CPS teachers threaten an October strike. And U.S. Cellular Field gets a new name. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.

The saddest ballad of all is the ballad of what never was – like the ballad of Thomas Hoyne, who was elected mayor of Chicago, but never served. Belly up to the bar and get a little taste of Chicago’s spirited history.

Chicago Public School students can kick off their last week of freedom at one of several Chicago institutions. Learn more.

Four cyclists have been killed this summer in Chicago. Wednesday night, another was struck in a hit-and-run in the Loop. Join us for a discussion on bike safety with the advocacy director for the  Active Transportation Alliance.

The Illinois Supreme Court late Thursday evening ruled that the question of map drawing cannot appear before voters on the November ballot. The process will remain in the hands of state power brokers like House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Watch the August 25, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

As the school year approaches, the Internal Revenue Service has warned of a telephone scam targeting students.

State superintendent says there is "considerable distance to travel" to make sure students are prepared for life after high school following new PARCC assessment results.

The new name for U.S. Cellular Field is striking out with many White Sox fans. The story of how Guaranteed Rate Field came to be.

When most people visit a National Park Service site, they visit the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. Not many realize that there are more than 400 National Park Service sites. But that’s one thing Mikah Meyer hopes to change as he travels cross-country visiting all 412 of those sites.

A planet that could potentially host life has been discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our solar system, according to a report published Wednesday by more than 30 international scientists.

Brendan Dassey, whose confession to involvement in the murder of Teresa Halbach was depicted in the wildly popular Netflix documentary series “Making a Murderer,” may be released from prison by Thanksgiving. We hear from his post-trial attorney on the judge's ruling.

Without a new contract agreement with CPS, Chicago teachers are looking at their second work stoppage this year. 

Watch the August 24, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."