Stories by Jay Shefsky

As baby boomers age, the rate of Alzheimer's disease climbs steadily. A program at Northwestern University pairs Alzheimer's patients in the early stages of the disease with first-year medical students to add a human dimension to their scientific and clinical studies.

Confucius Institutes are academic and cultural programs financially backed by the Chinese government. These institutions affiliate themselves with colleges throughout the world, but have drawn backlash due to concerns of propaganda pushing.

The mayoral race is in full swing. We sit down with candidate William "Dock" Walls, a former aide to the late mayor Harold Washington, regarding his campaign and how his strategy differs from previous runs for office.

Chicago Tonight will host a live candidate forum on Wednesday, Feb. 4 with contenders for the office of Mayor of Chicago, including the incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald. Bob Fioretti, Cook County Commissioner Jesús "Chuy" García, and businessman Willie Wilson. The forum will also be live streamed at wttw.com.

It’s official. The Chicago Bears have hired John Fox, former head coach for the Denver Broncos, as the team’s next head coach.

Paris Schutz and his panel of journalists discuss this week’s headlines.

Paris Schutz and his panel of journalists weigh in on the White Sox retiring Paul Konerko's jersey, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's economic policies, and the impact of McDonald's new ad campaign.

New Head Coach for Bears? Rauner Takes Aim At Political Hires Inspector General Joe Ferguson The Philosophy of Finance Second City’s Bob Curry Fellowship

Mr. Imagination, International Puppet Theater Festival, and Dave Eggers; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

John Fox, former head coach for the Denver Broncos, was interviewed at Halas Hall Wednesday as the Chicago Bears search for a new head coach. Fox boasts an impressive record and could be what the Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler need to get in gear for the fast-approaching league year.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed another executive order Thursday morning, this one requiring that the state of Illinois publish the names of political hires. Rauner accused the Quinn administration of carrying on in the tradition of imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson joins us with the latest on government oversight in Chicago.

Jeremy Josse has worked in the financial services sector for more than 20 years and has always looked to explore the philosophical paradoxes within the industry. In his new book, Josse examines financial conundrums and economic concepts we accept at face value in a series of philosophical case studies.

The Second City is accepting applications for its Bob Curry Fellowship, which is named after the first African-American Second City performer. We revisit our story about the fellowship’s inaugural class.

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Founder and Artistic Director Blair Thomas tells us about the first Chicago festival to celebrate puppetry in its many forms.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Day 2 of Hearings on Obama Library Location Could Aldermanic Races Reshape City Council? From Undocumented Child to Federal Judge Ask Geoffrey: 1/14 NASA Astronaut Col. Mike Hopkins

Chicago residents got another chance today to sound off on whether or not they support an Obama Presidential Library on protected parkland. Vote in our poll.

Aldermanic races around the city are heating up, with candidates getting kicked off the ballot, charges of intimidation, and packed fields of contenders. With less than six weeks until the municipal election, we check in on some of the races with our panel.

From an undocumented child to a federal judge, Manuel Barbosa joins us to discuss his own incredible migrant story he recounts in his autobiographical new book, The Littlest Wetback.

Geoffrey Baer gets the cold, hard truth on why the Chicago River doesn't freeze over even during Chicago's bitter winters in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

NASA astronaut Col. Mike Hopkins belongs to the very exclusive group of just 215 people who have visited the International Space Station (ISS). But Col. Hopkins distinguished himself during his time on the ISS in a couple of memorable ways. We revisit a conversation with Hopkins.

Public Hearing on Obama Library Location New Governor, New Illinois? Author Wes Moore On Finding His Life's Work Welcome to the World of Mr. Imagination "Big Bang Machine"

City officials face the public on whether an Obama Presidential Library should locate in a south side park. Vote in our poll.

It's official. Bruce Rauner is the 42nd Governor of Illinois. What will be his first steps as governor and how will he begin to rein in the crippling debt the state has become known for? We discuss this and more with our panel.

Wes Moore is a Rhodes scholar, combat veteran, and nonprofit executive. In his new book, The Work: My Search For a Life That Matters, Moore writes about how his widely varied life experiences helped shape who he is, and how the lessons he learned can help us find a sense of purpose.