Stories by Rebecca Palmore

The 26th annual festival returns with a new-and-now group of talented writers, performers and creative thinkers who head up 130 events throughout the city. We'll help you navigate the options.

Getting swept by the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series is something the Chicago Cubs team and fans will soon want to forget. But the loss came during a memorable season for the Cubs. We reflect on the team’s 2015 season and look at what moves they will want to make in the off-season to keep them in contention next year.

Former Bears tight end Desmond Clark is at the center of a high-profile police case in the suburbs involving allegations of disorderly conduct, battery and racism. Clark joins us share his side of the story ahead of his court appearance Monday in Lake County.

Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich is one of eight American delegates at Pope Francis' synod on the family. He joins us from Rome to discuss what conversations with his fellow bishops have been like, and what we can expect to come out of the synod.

Fall festivals this weekend highlight film, food and critical thinking. What are you waiting for?

While a monthslong architecture celebration underway in Chicago, there are some big changes in store for the city’s architectural landscape. We discuss the planned and potential changes to the city’s skyline with Lee Bey, host of Rivet Radio’s Architecture360; and architect and author Edward Keegan. 

Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure novel "Treasure Island" became a children's classic almost from the moment it was published in 1881. Scores of adaptations followed. But a new stage production at Lookingglass Theatre, adapted and directed by Tony award-winner Mary Zimmerman, is being praised for its original take on the story. Zimmerman joins us tonight.

We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Cook County Democrats will soon decide whether or not to withdraw their support of embattled Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, who is reportedly under federal investigation, along with husband Benton Cook, for an alleged sweetheart land deal involving a longtime campaign contributor. 

Winnetka native Kate Liu, 21, has become the bronze medalist and recipient of a nearly $23,000 cash prize at the 17th Chopin International Competition in Warsaw, Poland.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed 2016 budget plan–which includes expanding the amusement tax–could be a tough sell to a county board that narrowly approved a controversial sales tax hike to help the county tackle its $6.5 billion pension fund shortfall. We talk with three Cook County commissioners about the plan.

The Cubs playoff run has been a ratings boon, but what about the economic impact to Chicago? Meanwhile, Chicago-based United Airlines continues its CEO shuffle and McDonald’s franchisees aren't loving all-day breakfast service, as some chains energize Monster sales. Ann Dwyer of Crain’s Chicago Business gives us the story behind these headlines and more.

Some landlords in the Chicago area are illegally discriminating against Section 8 voucher holders, according to WBEZ. Does this highlight problems with the program itself or is it blatant racism?

Jack Bishop from America's Test Kitchen gives us a look at their new book that aims to help you cut through the recipe clutter. Also, learn how to make Perfect Poached Chicken Breasts and other dishes from ATK.

Geoffrey Baer visits a towering turtle on the Near West Side, a retro motel in River North and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Smoke filled the streets and skies of Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood this morning as an extra-alarm fire engulfed Harry’s Lumber Company in flames for the second time in 25 years.

Illinois’ budget stalemate has created a hairy situation for Peoria Journal Star political reporter Chris Kaergard, who has vowed not to shave his beard until a resolution is reached. “Chicago Tonight” brushes up on the progress of #BudgetBeard with Kaergard. 

The Illinois General Assembly was in session in Springfield on Tuesday for the first time in weeks as the budget impasse drags on. "Chicago Tonight" Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us to talk about what happened today at the capitol.

A beetle collected by Charles Darwin was recently discovered at the Field, which is in the process of cataloging its 12 million insect specimens – the museum's largest collection. Go behind the scenes as we check out this tiny wonder.

Lawmakers get a visit from protesters demanding an end to budget cuts. We discuss how the standoff is affecting higher education with Governors State University President Elaine Maimon.

The City Council’s Finance committee voted today to approve a record $543 million property tax increase over the next four years. But was the vote closer than expected? And will aldermen go along with garbage fee hikes and a possible new Uber fee? Paris Schutz has the story.

The Chicago Board of Education will vote next week on whether to approve applications for two new charter schools, but a group of Chicago aldermen have signed a resolution calling for a moratorium on the schools, while some parents say they have the right to choose which schools their children attend. Hear from all sides of the issue.

What can a mutant fruit fly can tell us about sleep? Why might forests in Alaska be contributing to climate change? And is Jupiter's Great Red Spot shrinking? University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin is back to discuss these stories and more.

Playboy magazine has decided that sex no longer sells. This February's issue will be the last  one containing naked pictures of women. Is Playboy's new no-nudity media strategy leaving their business model exposed?