Stories by Brandis Friedman

Parents of students at more than a dozen Chicago schools are receiving notices that testing has found elevated levels of lead in water at their children’s schools.

After 40 years of tales from the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor is calling it quits. “Chicago Tonight” talks with Chris Thile about taking over as host of "A Prairie Home Companion," his bands and more. 

The Shedd Aquarium has added a new source of power as part of its green initiative – and it isn’t coming from the institution's electric eels.

On tap this weekend: music, food and arts festivals, plus a chance to watch "Blazing Saddles" with Mel Brooks and rub elbows with Marcia Clark and Ethan Hawke.

Despite darkening storm clouds that have been looming over Chicago Public Schools’ finances, two reports released this week show some rays of sunshine for student academics.

Watch the June 8, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The day after Hillary Clinton became the first female candidate of any major party to claim a presidential nomination, all eyes turned to her rival Bernie Sanders, who said he has no intention of backing down.

Amid concerns that the summer months will see an escalation of violence in the city, some students at Chicago Public Schools will take a pledge on Thursday to promote peace during the summer break.

Amid the war of words between Gov. Bruce Rauner, legislative leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is there any progress on a budget or school funding to ensure that public schools can open in the fall?

The Chicago Blues Festival kicks off Friday with a tribute to Alligator Records. Founder Bruce Iglauer and musician Toronzo Cannon reflect on the significance of the music they love.

Some farm groups are criticizing a new report about the hazards of atrazine, a herbicide that was banned by the European Union more than 10 years ago.

Watch the June 7, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

“Illinois must meet its primary function” of funding education, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during an interview with Paris Schutz. Hear the full conversation.

Cancer researchers will have an easier time accessing, sharing and analyzing information with the launch Monday of a new platform funded by the National Cancer Institute.

Veteran news anchor Robin Robinson is joining the Chicago Police Department as a special adviser, according to an internal memo from Supt. Eddie Johnson. 

Watch the June 6, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The former governor joins Carol Marin on “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the budget impasse, whether or not schools will open and if Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan can find a solution.

Chicago's Independent Police Review Authority has begun posting audio and video from police misconduct investigations. We hear what the head of the police union has to say about it.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins “Chicago Tonight” for a one-on-one interview with Paris Schutz on Tuesday. What are your questions for the mayor? Share them with us.

Chicago’s green thumb just got some international accolades. A garden designed by the Chicago Park District was awarded a gold medal at Bloom, Ireland's largest gardening show.

The Grant Park Music Festival opens in one week, making classical music accessible to anyone who's interested. But the makeup of orchestras across the country doesn't always reflect the makeup of surrounding communities.

Chicago street signs have it pretty tough. They get battered by the elements, vandalized, stolen – and worst of all, they get no gratitude for helping people navigate our city. Let’s tip our hats to Chicago’s poor unheralded street signs with two questions about these everyday heroes.

Flying off the handle during a marital spat cannot only escalate the argument, but also increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular conditions, like high blood pressure, a new study says. 

The Independent Police Review Authority on Friday released hundreds of videos and other supporting evidence in potential police misconduct cases dating back to 2011.

Six bats found in Cook County that were reported to local authorities this year, including three in Chicago, have tested positive for rabies, the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control (CCDARC) said Thursday.

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss this week’s news, including the end of the spring legislative session in Springfield without a budget and the possibility that schools won’t open in the fall.