Stories by Kristen Thometz

By most medical standards, being healthy means you’re not battling a major disease like cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. But a new study from the University of Chicago questions this traditional method of measuring health.

It may be the worst-kept political secret in Springfield, and now the chatter has reached fever pitch.

Last week, we introduced you to the Hinky Drink. For our second installment, we’re saying “cheers” with the Lord of the Levee drink, inspired by Aldermen “Bathhouse” John Coughlin and Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna.

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss the week's news, including the agonizingly slow TSA screening lines at O'Hare and Midway which have prompted calls to wrest airport control from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and create an elected airport authority.

On Saturday, photographer Steve Schapiro visits the Ed Paschke Art Center. The 81-year-old Chicago transplant will speak about his new book, “Bowie.”

With fewer than 1,000 Bactrian camels estimated to be living in the wild, the species is classified as critically endangered. On May 9, a Bactrian camel calf was born in Chicago.

Watch the May 19, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed May 19 "Lorraine Hansberry Day" in Chicago. We take a look at various events around the city honoring the Chicago playwright and her legacy.

With less than a month until the end of the presidential primaries and caucuses, Donald Trump appears confident he'll pick up the Republican nomination. Despite Hillary Clinton’s commanding lead in pledged and unpledged delegates, Sen. Bernie Sanders pushes on.

Chicago Public Schools is bracing to implement devastating budget cuts of as much as 25 percent, blaming what they say is a state school-funding formula that shortchanges Chicago children. So, is there any prospect of movement on the issue in Springfield?

Granddad is believed to be the oldest fish in captivity at any public aquarium or zoo in the world. The Shedd estimates he’s at least a century old and that an “excess of 100 million visitors” have passed through the aquarium since his arrival.

City Planning and Development Commissioner David Reifman discusses two big redevelopment projects and the mayor's neighborhood investment initiative to help struggling neighborhoods on the South and West Sides.

Celebrate the start of festival season with outdoor events in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Skokie, Edgebrook, Oak Park and beyond.

Hear what viewers had to say about our conversation with former CPS principal Troy LaRaviere when we read comments from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Shedd Aquarium has a new CEO in Bridget Coughlin. She joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about her varied experience and what she anticipates for the future of the beloved aquarium.

Watch the May 18, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is wading into the heated national debate over the rights of transgender people by introducing an ordinance Wednesday that prohibits public places from denying restroom access based on a person’s gender identity.

Should O'Hare and Midway do away with the TSA altogether? Some aldermen are calling for the privatization of security screening at Chicago's airports.

Her nicknames included "Sassy" and the “Divine One," but whatever you called her, Sarah Vaughan was an exceptional voice. On Friday, the CSO pays tribute to her with performances by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and three vocalists, including Ann Hampton Callaway.

As Chicago Public Schools brace for additional budget cuts, some principals find out exactly how much the current financial climate could impact their budgets for the next school year.

Will you be able to own a piece of the Tribune Tower? Crain's Chicago Business has the story.

Geoffrey Baer tackles three questions about Chicago's beloved rapid transit system, including the various spellings of the system, in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Inside a 12,000-square-foot greenhouse on the Northwest Side of Chicago, thousands of fish – and the waste they produce – are an essential part of an innovative growing method called aquaponics. 

On Wednesday night, cyclists will ride slowly and silently through downtown Chicago – and in hundreds of other cities around the world – to pay tribute to fallen riders.

The "Subversive Copy Editor" discusses tips for navigating the often-tricky process of editing someone else's work.

Meet two men who think gondolas and lights will give a significant boost to Chicago tourism.