Stories by Hope Holmberg

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review shows currently on Chicago area stages, including Shrek the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Slowgirl at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Mojada at Victory Gardens Theater. Learn more about the plays and watch a web extra video review.

In the second mass killing of protesters in three weeks, Egyptian authorities attacked protesters in Cairo Saturday, killing 72. M. Cherif Bassiouni, a war crimes expert and law professor at DePaul University, joins us with insight into the conflict.

New York-based ad firm Omnicom and Paris-based ad firm Publicis merged on Sunday, creating the largest advertising firm with $23 billion in combined revenue. The merger might create complications since it will bring together rival clients, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, and AT&T and Verizon. We have analysis.

Sen. Dick Durbin says the U.S. House of Representatives' bill to cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 80 percent would severely impact programs created to address ecological problems facing the Great Lakes. Programs to keep Asian carp out of the lakes would be slashed, among others. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read a fact sheet.

Author Rebecca Sive joins us to discuss her leadership guide for women, Every Day is Election Day: A Woman's Guide to Winning Any Office, from the PTA to the White House. Read an excerpt.

Chicago artist Leo Segedin, 86, is still painting about his childhood on the west side, and dancing into old age. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. View a slideshow of some of Segedin's favorite pieces, handpicked by the artist himself.

We share your thoughts about the fire marshal's proposal to change sprinkler code requirements in Illinois in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

The first potential Democratic challenger to Gov. Pat Quinn was Bill Daley, who officially announced his candidacy on July 30, only to drop out of the race on Sept. 16.

State Sen. Bill Brady announced his third run for governor on June 26, 2013.

Kirk Dillard officially announced his second run for Illinois governor on July 15, 2013.

On June 2, 2013, Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford officially threw his name in the mix for the Republican gubernatorial primary. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines. Check out our weekly roundup with links to all of our stories from this week.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists break down how Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel are responding to the CPS budget crisis. Watch the web extra conversation.

A concert at the zoo, lots of used books, and a festival for kids at the Art Institute; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Did Illinois business leaders lobby ratings agencies to lower the state's bond rating? Paris Schutz has the latest details on a bizarre twist in the pension debate.

There’s a battle raging over the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s plan to require all residential and business buildings taller than four stories to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Churches, restaurants, and any building used for gatherings of 50 or more people would also be required to add sprinklers. Opponents say the expense outweighs the fire safety benefits. Eddie Arruza and his guests analyze both sides.

When she was 13, Karsyn Terry took second 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. Now, after a year of intensive training with her father, she is going for first place this weekend. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an article.

YouTube personality Emily Graslie, creator of the "The Brain Scoop” channel, joins us to talk about her new gig at the Field Museum as its Chief Curiosity Correspondent. She will also bring some friends from the Field’s collections to share. Watch Emily's online science videos.

You might remember her as the devilish Vera on Downton Abbey. But Irish singer, songwriter, and actress Maria Doyle Kennedy also has a heavenly singing voice. She joins us for a conversation and performance.

Ald. Joe Moore responds to ethics violations alleged by Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan. Watch the web extra video.

Illinois Rep. Deb Mell is officially sworn in to her new City Council job as alderman of the 33rd ward and her father Ald. Dick Mell's replacement. Paris Schutz has the details on that, and response from Ald. Joe Moore about ethics investigations news we broke on Sunday. Watch web extra video.

Chicago Public Schools introduced its 2014 school budget on Wednesday amid protesting parents and teachers. Officials say they will fill the $1 billion budget gap with $68 million in classroom cuts and the use of $700 million from reserve funds. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

School closings, ethics probes and more; we have the latest City Council news from our aldermanic roundtable.

Thirty-six years ago, Star Wars exploded onto the screen and made cinematic history. The blockbuster film began what would become a multi-billion dollar empire for George Lucas, and spawned companies like Industrial Light & Magic, and Pixar. We revisit Ash-har Quraishi's story of how Chicago played a pivotal role in sci-fi cinematic history. Read an article, view a slideshow, and watch web extra video.

The ninth annual BlogHer conference takes place in Chicago this week at the McCormick Convention Center and the Sheraton Chicago. Created for women and men who feel that blogging has transformed their lives, BlogHer media company was co-founded by Chicago native Jory Des Jardins in 2005. Des Jardins is hosting the annual conference in Chicago this week, which features keynote speaker Queen Latifah and Hollywood producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead). She joins us. Read an interview with a local blogger.

Hyde Park is famous for being home to presidents, politicians and religious leaders. It is also known for its highly integrated community. A new book captures the visually fascinating history of the evolution of the neighborhood in photos from 1850 to today.