Stories by WTTW News

Watching FX’s "American Horror Story" and hitting the golf course could become more expensive under a budget proposal unveiled by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle last week. She joins us to discuss her proposal and how it will help plug a projected $198.9 million budget hole. 

The fiscal cracks may be turning into floodgates as the state government approaches a fifth month without a budget. A major ratings agency on Monday dealt a blow to the state as a result of the inaction in Springfield. Has it emboldened either side to get off the sidelines and work together on a solution? Paris Schutz has the latest.

In a game both thrilling and frustrating the Bears and Lions traded the lead five times, needed overtime to decide the outcome and left fans of each team scratching their heads. The previously winless Lions looked more capable than their record indicated, while the Bears offense seesawed between potent and ineffective. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his take on the game.

The two biggest stories in sports news lately have been the Chicago Cubs and the controversy over online fantasy sports. What are your chances of getting a ticket to a playoff game at Wrigley Field and what will it cost you? And what exactly is fantasy sports—is it gambling and should it be banned or regulated? Join us for a discussion on these topics and more.

She's been feeding Chicagoans her signature brand of breakfast since opening her first restaurant in 1991. And despite closing up shop two years ago, Ina Pinkney wanted to share some of her favorite recipes in a book, along with stories from her life. Pinkney joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about "Ina's Kitchen."

A longtime Chicago arts criticism magazine is trying to get back on its feet after folding in 2002, but two separate groups are now attempting to publish it–and the world-renowned Zhou Brothers, after an initial show of support, decided to pull their funding. Learn about the rise and fall of the Examiner–and how it echoes the history of Chicago arts funding. 

This year’s free exhibit–the largest of its kind in the country–features 116 pieces of artwork from more than 90 artists and offers an inside look at some of the traditions of the holiday.

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the Cubs triumphant march to the National League Championship Series, Barbara Byrd-Bennett’s plea deal and apology and more top stories of the week.

The creative duo talks about “Pop Waits,” the clown rock opera they’re developing that was sparked by a conversation between Iggy Pop and Tom Waits in the 2003 film “Coffee and Cigarettes.”

From the unlikely spiritual journey of a former "Meet the Press" moderator, to CPS contracts under scrutiny, here are the five stories "Chicago Tonight" readers were most interested in over the past seven days.

Test your news knowledge with this week's set of questions.

It's the annual return of Open House Chicago, the season finale of Vintage Garage and the U.S. premiere for the Joffrey Ballet. Here is your weekend lineup.

The fifth of six planned east-west runways at O'Hare International Airport is officially open today. Will this development help to quiet residents' noise complaints or make the problem worse? Paris Schutz has the story.

Thursday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets face off to determine which team will meet the Chicago Cubs in this year's National League Championship Series. ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers and WBEZ's Cheryl Raye-Stout join "Chicago Tonight" with a look ahead.

Former New York Times Moscow bureau chief Steven Lee Myers spent seven years covering one of the most controversial leaders on the world stage. Myers now has written a comprehensive new biography, "The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin." Myers joins us to discuss the book.

A new baseball statistic that could help the Chicago Cubs win, a new tool that could revolutionize the surgical removal of cancerous tumors and new images of Pluto and its largest moon, Charon. Museum of Science and Industry director of science and integrated strategies Rabiah Mayas joins us with these stories and more.

Temperatures are starting to drop but that doesn’t signal the end of the gardening season. The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan visits the WTTW organic garden to do some planting. She also shares tips on how gardeners can extend the season a little longer.

He's a composer, conductor, poet and instrumentalist. And he's already being compared to Mozart. We revisit the 25 year old whose children's opera–written for Chicago–is getting another hearing. 

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.

A dire report from Illinois' comptroller today: The state budget stalemate has reached an alarming point in the state's ability to make a significant pension payment and pay bills. 

Living in the Chicago area is about to get even more expensive. Not only is Mayor Rahm Emanuel seeking a record high property tax increase to help shore up police and firefighter pensions. But today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is asking for a county tax on recreational activities like golfing and cable TV to help plug the county's budget deficit. 

The two owners of a principal training academy ensnared in the CPS corruption and bribery scandal have their day in court. We have the very latest.

The political heavyweight and her populist upstart challenger grabbed the spotlight Tuesday night, joined by candidates Jim Webb, Lincoln Chafee and Martin O'Malley. We take a deeper look at the debate and its potential impact on the race with Jason DeSanto, a senior lecturer at Northwestern University law school.