Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

A new zoo resident born in downstate Peoria stands about 9 feet tall. Guests can see the 2-year-old giraffe Finely at the zoo’s Regenstein African Journey exhibit.

The project that will transform 19.3 acres of Jackson Park into the Obama Presidential Center aced its final in a series of city votes Wednesday.

Memorial Day is synonymous with grilling. In anticipation of the long weekend of cooking out with friends and family, Chicago Tonight asked local chefs for their favorite Memorial Day recipes. Dig in!

Families living within Chicago Public Schools’ most affluent attendance area have been receiving priority access to highly coveted seats at a Lincoln Park magnet school, according to a new report.

If ever there were a way to remind audiences of what it would really take to “make America great again,” the Goodman Theatre’s revival of “Having Our Say” could easily qualify as the show to get the job done.

As the weather gets nicer, Chicagoans and tourists are expected to flock to an increasingly popular destination: the Chicago River and attractions along its main branch. But has it become too congested?

Watch the May 22, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

A major acquisition of a homegrown Chicago bank: Is the buyer taking a big risk? And what does the deal mean for customers?

The Obama Presidential Center keeps getting green lights even though important architectural details are missing. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in.

Is the country’s declining birth rate a cause for concern, or a sign that more women are taking control of their reproductive choices?

A firestorm erupts over a state Democratic lawmaker’s claims that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is retaliating against her.

Chicago has dozens of “sanctuary restaurants,” but like “sanctuary city,” the term is not a legal designation. So what exactly does it mean?

Additional patrols will cover the lakefront, downtown and other areas where Chicago police expect there could be increased violence during the holiday weekend.

What happened to students caught up in one of the largest waves of school closures in U.S. history? A University of Chicago study suggests the controversial move did not result in academic gains.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s critics can accurately say he has failed to pass major parts of his agenda. But Rauner has made good on pledges to live in the capital city and revitalize the executive mansion.

Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to bring back the death penalty, but will lawmakers cut a deal for gun control measures?

Watch the May 21, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

It’s a debate that’s consumed the internet: Do you hear Yanny or Laurel? We explore just what’s going on behind this audio illusion.

Some North Side homeowners say the Cook County Assessor over-valued their property. Will other Chicago homes see a hike in their assessments?

If, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the beholder is given a lot to admire at the Shedd Aquarium’s newest exhibit, “Underwater Beauty.” We get a preview.

Jeanne Nolan and Phil Ponce head into the garden to talk about “succession planting” and how it can maximize production.

Highlights of this year’s free outdoor movie series include Oscar nominees “Get Out” and “Coco,” plus the iconic 2000 music movie “High Fidelity.” Check out the full 2018 schedule.

After taking a fresh look at a treasure trove of cargo recovered from the dark sea floor in the 1980s, researchers make new discoveries about a centuries-old shipwreck.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss former gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Biss finally endorsing Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker.

A presidential plan for Jackson Park moves a step closer to construction. Gov. Bruce Rauner backs reinstating the death penalty. CPS hands over control of its special education program. And an up-and-down week in Chicago baseball.

Although everything they touch turns to gold these days, nothing quite reveals the brilliance of the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra quite like the challenge of a Mahler masterwork.