Stories by Hope Holmberg

Dr. Corrie Moreau, Assistant Curator of Insects at the Field Museum and Karen Kramer Wilson, Living Invertebrate Specialist at The Chicago Academy of Sciences and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, share their thoughts on the impact of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.

In Expecting Better, University of Chicago economics professor Emily Oster argues that much of the conventional wisdom about pregnancy isn’t supported by data. She joins us to pinpoint the most egregious myths. Read an excerpt.

We share what you had to say about McCormick Place expansion, the RTA audit of the recent severance package given to ousted Metra CEO Alex Clifford, and the recent indictment of the former Chicago comptroller for bribery and money laundering in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the challenges Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces trying to win back voters amid the Chicago Public Schools' budget crisis, massive school closings, and rampant gang violence. Watch the web extra video.

Sculptures in Grant Park, a craft exposition, and lots of dancing; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Chicago Public Schools students are headed back to school on Monday following the closing of nearly 50 schools and the introduction of new safe passage routes. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Nadav Shoked, Assistant Professor of Law at Northwestern University, and Tina Feldstein, President of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, join us to discuss the pros and cons surrounding the city’s controversial plan to expand McCormick Place with a 10,000 seat arena for DePaul University’s basketball team, as well as adding two hotels. 

How much is a CEO worth? Matt Kiefer, Associate Research Director for Crain’s Chicago Business, joins us to take a look at the paychecks some Chicago-area CEOs are taking home and how they compare nationwide.

Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon is back in Chicago, performing in Simpatico at A Red Orchid Theatre. He joins us to chat about the Sam Shepard play, Boardwalk Empire, and what’s next. Read an interview with the Simpatico director, view a slideshow, and watch videos.

After 40 years of offering live models for professional and amateur artists to draw or paint, The Drawing Workshop in Ravenswood is now in jeopardy of closing due to the retirement of its founder, George Sotos. We have the story. View a slideshow and read an interview.

This month, Karsyn Terry took fourth place in a national, 14-and-under pool tournament. In the 24 years that this tournament has existed, Karsyn is the first African American to make the finals. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. Read an article.

Renowned jazz pianist and composer Marian McPartland died on Tuesday, August 20, at age 95. She was a pioneer for women in the field of jazz and became a popular and enthusiastic exponent of the genre all her life. Watch a web extra video of Marian McPartland and Rosemary Clooney in an unforgettable rendition of the Gershwin classic, “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

Chicago Tonight first learned that Alex Clifford would like his old job back at Metra, and his lawyer says that giving it to him is the only way to undo the controversial severance package that is now estimated to pay him close to $900,000.

Eddie Arruza and his guests have analysis of the RTA audit, and they take a look at where Metra goes from here.

Al Jazeera America launched Tuesday. Will the latest offshoot of the Middle Eastern media network be a success in the United States? We have analysis.

At half an acre, the rooftop garden atop McCormick Place West is the largest in the entire region. We bring you the backstory behind this little-known space. Read an article.

The biggest news stories through the unique lens of political cartoons: We speak with Scott Stantis of the Chicago Tribune and Eric Allie of the Pioneer Press.

We look at the Smart Chicago Collaborative's summer program for students, teaching some basic computer skills--and what is means to be a programmer. Read an article.

Chicago lost a versatile and talented artist when Ralph Childs died last week at age 62. We spoke with Ralph on the Artbeat Chicago show back in January 2005. Mark Ruffin was our correspondent at the time, and he caught up with Ralph Childs at an art exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Watch the web extra video from our archives.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel faced tough questioning today about indicted former Chicago comptroller Amer Ahmad. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for Illinois governor. We’ve gathered information here about the growing Republican and Democratic fields, and some of the key issues in the race. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Thursday, March 6: Lt. Governor Forum: Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, Jil Tracy, Evelyn Sanguinetti Thursday, March 13: GOP Governor Forum: Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford

WIll State Sen. Kwame Raoul challenge Gov. Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary? Columnists Eric Zorn, of the Chicago Tribune, and Laura Washington, of the Chicago Sun-Times, share their takes on the impact a Raoul candidacy would have on the race.

The Washington Post’s chief correspondent Dan Balz joins us to talk about his new book, Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America. Read an excerpt.

CVS has opened a massive mail order pharmacy in Mount Prospect. We tour the facility and hear what the company's CEO has to say about the impact of the Affordable Care Act.

Chef Rick Bayless shares his Roasted Poblano Gazpacho recipe with us. Read the recipe.