Stories by Rhyan Zuercher

An increasing number of old churches are for sale in Chicago, but what should buyers do with them? We tell you about the debate over reuse versus demolition. View a slideshow.

Science catches up with science fiction as we talk to Professor John Rogers, the inventor of epidermal electronics -- tiny, bendy computer chips that can be placed on or in the human body to monitor critical health data. Watch web extra videos.

Dignitaries and top chefs come together to celebrate Charlie Trotter. Paris Schutz has the story.

Boarded up homes; distressed neighborhoods -- Chicago is struggling to deal with the fallout of the foreclosure crisis on top of depopulation on the south and west sides. The city is tearing down abandoned properties that are magnets for crime. But what else can be done to reshape troubled areas? We talk with Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who spearheaded the creation of the Cook County Land Bank, and Marshall Brown, an architect, urban planner and professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

We take a look at a documentary that follows five war veterans, and their new mission to heal after combat through fly fishing. Not Yet Begun to Fight airs tonight on WTTW World. We speak with the documentary's Executive Producer, Steve Platcow.

A well-known adult with autism and one of the world’s most prominent speakers on the subject visited Chicago to speak at the Chicago Humanities Festival this past weekend. Temple Grandin is a best-selling author, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, and also has an HBO movie based on her life starring Claire Danes which won seven Emmy Awards. She joins us. Watch a web extra video and read an excerpt from her book.

James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to discuss the Bears’ loss to the Lions, coach Marc Trestman’s decision to keep an injured Jay Cutler in the game, and how the Bears can regroup in time to face the Ravens. Watch a web extra conversation with Big Cat.

We share what you had to say about Native American sports mascots and more in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss Dominick’s exit from Chicago, and the roughly 5,600 employees about to get pink slips. Many of the Dominick’s stores anchor entire shopping centers. What impact will the vacancies have? And what effect will the gay marriage bill have on the next Republican primaries? Watch the web extra conversation.

Lord of the Flies at Steppenwolf Theatre, a fiber art event at Chicago Botanic Garden, and The Rascals reunite for a concert; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Illinois Senators and Mayor Emanuel are demanding the new U.S. Attorney focus on combating Chicago street crime. But will that really help-- and what about political corruption? Paris Schutz and his panel take a look.

Native American images and mascots have long been used by college and professional teams. But there's a growing push to do away with a practice some find racist. Should the Blackhawks change their name? We discuss the issue.

What is a Bitcoin? Where do they come from and how are they used? And why are more and more governments taking a careful look at this first-ever cyber currency?

For years President Obama would receive daily devotional messages on his Blackberry. They were scriptures, quotes and short stories…all words of encouragement and inspiration which the president himself said “meant the world." Now you can read some of the daily devotionals in a new book called The President’s Devotional.  The book’s author, Joshua DuBois joins us to share some of the President’s favorite scriptures, and the words of reinforcement that got the President through tough times.

Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones joins us to talk about his new book, Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater as Seen by Chicago Tribune Critics. Read excerpts from the book.

We share what you had to say about forest preserve restoration in Cook County, and the newly announced City Council Budget Office in tonight’s viewer feedback.

You get the distinct feeling that this is a band that a) wants to make up for lost time and b) has something to prove. They accomplish both in the feel-good show of the season.

Same-sex marriage passed both chambers on Tuesday in Springfield and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Quinn. State Representative Greg Harris, one of the key sponsors of the bill, joins us from the Chicago Sun-Times Springfield bureau with the latest.

Chris Hadfield’s journey from Canadian test pilot to commander of the International Space Station is a story of determination and hard work. He joins us to talk about his new autobiography,  An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. Read excerpts from the book, and watch web extra videos.

Going into the final week of the veto session in Springfield, the big ticket items on the docket were pension reform, same-sex marriage and mandatory minimums. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us with the latest details.

A restoration pioneer celebrates 30 years of working in the forest preserves. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.

Just how long have the antique-looking Chicago streetlights been burning? Geoffrey Baer reveals the age of these beauties in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review shows currently on Chicago area stages. Learn more about the plays, and watch Hedy's web extra video review.

The Illinois House narrowly approved the same-sex marriage bill that passed in the senate earlier this year. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us to with the latest.

Influential chef Charlie Trotter, whose culinary skills and eponymous Chicago restaurant became world famous, died today at the age of 54. We take a look back at his celebrated career and the impact he had on the world of fine cuisine with three chefs who trained under Trotter. Watch a web extra video from our archives.