Stories by WTTW News
Dennis Hastert Case Renews Questions About Nature of Sexual Predators
| Paul Caine
In court, Dennis Hastert admitted to being a sexual abuser. We hear from some professionals who treat victims of sexual predators about detecting the signs of child sexual abuse.
Chicago Celebrates Legacy of Playwright, Activist Lorraine Hansberry
| Meredith Francis
The award-winning playwright behind "A Raisin in the Sun" packed an impressive career into a short life. Now, a local theater wants to celebrate the South Side native’s work that extends beyond the stage.
Arianna Huffington’s Wake-Up Call Prompted ‘The Sleep Revolution’
| Andrea Guthmann
She's the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post and a syndicated columnist. Arianna Huffington talks about the wake-up call that led her to write her 15th book, "The Sleep Revolution."
CPS Testing Lead Levels in Water at 28 Schools
| Nick Blumberg
Lead levels in the water supply are getting nationwide attention after the ongoing crisis in Flint, Michigan came into the spotlight. Now, CPS says it will test for lead in the water at 28 schools, even though it's not legally required to.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Put a Lawyer in Every Police Car’
| Erica Gunderson
Hear what viewers had to say about our discussion of the task force report with Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
James Beard Awards Gala Pays Homage to Role of TV Dinner
| Brandis Friedman
Brandis Friedman takes a look at the inspiring dishes being served after next week's James Beard Awards – and how television is a main ingredient this year.
Cool-Weather Crops and Hot Reasons to Grow Your Own
| Erica Gunderson
It’s time to start planting! The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan returns to WTTW's organic garden to plant cool-season crops selected by viewers and tackle an early flush of weeds. Also, we need your help picking the next round of crops to plant.
Weekend Events: NFL Draft Town, Rum Festival, Cinco de Mayo Parade
| Meredith Francis
Raise a glass to the NFL draft, bacon-infused dishes, rum cocktails and the Cinco de Mayo Parade in Little Village.
The ‘Burning Man of Bacon’ Returns to Chicago
Pig out at this weekend’s Baconfest Chicago
| Meredith Francis
Baconfest Chicago is back for its eighth year with plenty of bacon-inspired dishes, and it’s grown into a large event with a charitable twist since its quirky beginnings.
NFL Draft 2016 Kicks Off in Grant Park
| Paris Schutz
Legions of football fans descend on Chicago for the second year in a row. Is the massive event worth the headache – and will it be back next year?
Free Event at DuSable Museum, Concert Promote Diversity in Modern Music
Roundtable talk Thursday afternoon, weekend performance focus on efforts to bring new voices to new music
| Marc Vitali
Internationally renowned composer and percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, who has played alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon, joins a discussion about inclusion among modern composers of color. On Friday, he performs with Fulcrum Point New Music Project.
Analyzing Dennis Hastert’s Sentencing and the Legal Questions Raised
| Hunter Clauss
While Dennis Hastert admitted to sexual abuse allegations in court Wednesday, he did not see any related charges because the statute of limitations had passed. If the sexual abuse allegations factored into Hastert’s sentencing on charges he skirted banking laws, should the statute of limitations even exist?
Mayor Announces Efforts to Increase Water Safety Monitoring
| Evan Garcia
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday announced initiatives to reassure residents that Chicago's water is safe and lead-free.
Ask Geoffrey: Any ‘Magic Finger’ Beds at ‘60s Motel in River North?
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer visits a retro motel in River North, a towering turtle on the Near West Side and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Upscale Resale: Glencoe Shop is Designed to Donate
| Jay Shefsky
Jay Shefsky visits an upscale consignment shop on the North Shore that has generated nearly half a million dollars for charity by selling designer clothes, accessories and furniture.
First Bison Born This Year at Fermilab
| Evan Garcia
The bison herd at Fermilab just got a little bigger: On Tuesday, the first bison calf of 2016 was born at the particle physics laboratory in suburban Batavia.
New Book Builds Recognition of Forgotten Chicago Architect
| Erica Gunderson
It could be said that the work of Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall has been hiding in plain sight for a century. A new book reveals Marshall as an architect whose work helped refine and modernize young Chicago.
Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison, Admits to Sexual Abuse
| Paris Schutz
Dennis Hastert has gone from being the longest-serving Republican U.S. House Speaker to the highest-ranking federal public official to go to jail. He was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison and to two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $250,000.
Homophobia in Sports Not Just a Hockey Problem
| Alexandra Silets
The Blackhawks season ends with a heartbreaking loss to St. Louis. We recap the season and talk about homophobia in sports with Chris Hine, an openly gay hockey writer from the Chicago Tribune.
What Expanded Fiduciary Standard Could Mean for Retirement Investors
| Nick Blumberg
Tougher regulations for financial advisers are aimed at protecting consumers planning for retirement. But could new rules make it harder to get investment advice?
Dennis Hastert Faces Sentencing, Accusers on Wednesday
| Paris Schutz
Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will face some of his alleged sexual assault victims during sentencing Wednesday in federal court. We preview the proceedings.
Community, Faith Leaders Show Support For Lucas Museum at McCormick Place
| WTTW News
As Mayor Rahm Emanuel pushes McCormick Place as the new location for the Lucas Musuem, a group of faith and community leaders met Tuesday to throw their support behind the plan. WBEZ's Lauren Chooljian will bring us the latest.
Corpse Flower Sprout Blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden
| Evan Garcia
The giant corpse plant, a titan arum, is now in bloom. See what the plant looks like via the CBG's live stream, and find out about late hours for Tuesday night.
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