Stories by WTTW News

City officials aren’t the only ones trying to make a dent in Chicago’s violence. There are heroes and heroines throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods providing positive alternatives for youth in an effort to help reduce the violence that plagues the city. We’ll meet some of those community activists who are trying to make a difference.

The computer Watson, best known for winning a $1 million prize on the quiz show "Jeopardy!," is now using the vast power of its artificial intelligence for everything from medical diagnostics to creating new cooking recipes. We talk to Chicagoan Stephen Gold, vice president at IBM's Watson group, about what Watson has in store for us.

Sean Graney, founder of The Hypocrites, works to wrap up rehearsals on "All Our Tragic," his lengthy adaptation of every extant Greek tragedy.

The big studio blockbusters fizzled at the box office this summer. We look at the films that got people talking and put people into theater seats. We also look ahead to the highly anticipated fall films. 

We share what you had to say about aldermen voting to reduce campaign finance oversight when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Aldermen vote to drastically reduce oversight of their campaign fundraising. Is it a sign that City Council still isn't ready for reform?

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart joins us to talk jail overcrowding, criminal justice setbacks, and what he calls the criminalization of mental illness in the state of Illinois and across the country. 

Historian Darlene Clark Hine of Chicago received the 2013 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama. Hine was honored for her work on understanding the African American experience. We talk with Hine about the award and her work.

Chicago banjo player Michael Miles had a 25-year correspondence with legendary folk musician and activist Pete Seeger, who died earlier this year. Miles tells Jay Shefsky how the cards and letters changed his life.

From invasive species to summer storms, there's a lot going on in the world of science. Museum of Science and Industry's Rabiah Mayas stops by for another Scientific Chicago.

Geoffrey Baer tells us what's at the end of the line for old "L" cars and more as we revisit a previous edition of Ask Geoffrey.

With the debut of the city's first Bitcoin ATM, and a Bitcoin demo taking place on Capitol Hill, many are wondering if virtual currency is making its way to becoming mainstream, and whether it has the potential to replace paper currency.

Chicago Tribune Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin has the latest on the work at Maggie Daley Park and the architectural team picked to build the Lucas Museum.

It was his 75th birthday. Hundreds attended a VIP event featuring music, belly dancers, and speakers honoring his life’s work, and the public opening of the Ed Paschke Art Center in Jefferson Park drew thousands from the neighborhood. Ed Paschke was celebrated in style. We revisit our story about the opening of the northwest side art center.

Chicagoan Joan Harris, a philanthropist and arts patron, was honored with the 2013 National Medal of Arts award by President Barack Obama on Monday, July 28. We talk with Harris about the award and the impact she’s had on the arts.

Illinois is not typically known for its wines, but for more than a century the state has produced a wide variety with little recognition. Join us as we explore the budding wine culture with certified sommelier Clara Orban, author of “Illinois Wines and Wineries: The Essential Guide.”

The City Council’s Finance Committee held a meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance to require self-service gas stations to provide E15 gasoline. While the move is being touted as a way to save consumers cash, an analyst at The Heartland Institute says E15 gasoline won’t save motorists money at the pump.

Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah teams up with rapper, actor, and Chicago native Common to unveil a new anti-violence program including a star-studded public service announcement.

Big money, bare-knuckle, Washington-style politics come to Chicago. Two new Political Action Committees, or PACs, are going head-to-head over Mayor Rahm Emanuel's re-election, as well as the election of aldermanic candidates who support or oppose him. Paris Schutz has the latest.

The state continues to struggle financially as a result of many obligations - pensions being one of the most immediate. As constitutionality of Senate Bill 1 becomes more uncertain, some lawmakers are looking to amend the constitution in order to move forward. But how will this affect state workers and who will ultimately pay the price?

Will Chicago gas stations be required to offer E15 fuel? Gen. Wesley Clark joins Chicago Tonight to discuss the new E15 fuel legislation and more.  

We remember the “war to end all wars” through the photos and letters of some Chicagoans.

A Chicago design firm is competing with others around the country to create a new, better bike for city riding. All the designs were unveiled Friday, July 25. Phil Ponce will test drive the new bike Monday, July 28, and talk with the designers.

Don’t read the newspaper death counts this weekend. Go to a free block party on the South Side on Saturday, July 26, to celebrate good news and people doing things right.

A neighborhood sidewalk sale, benefit for pediatric cancer, and county fair; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines.