Stories by Paul Caine
As We Live Longer, Can We Also Live Well?
| Paul Caine
An expert on aging talks about the possibilities and problems that come with living longer.
Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Passes Illinois Senate
| Alex Ruppenthal
Agriculture advocates say industrial hemp would offer Illinois farmers an additional crop – one with a lucrative future.
Bill to Create Urban Agriculture Zones Passes Illinois House
| Alex Ruppenthal
A bill aimed at breaking up food deserts in Chicago and other cities across the state by establishing “urban agriculture zones” moved forward last week in Springfield.
Ex-Police Detective Sued by Man Freed After Wrongful Murder Conviction
| Matt Masterson
After spending 22 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Thomas Sierra is suing the city of Chicago and the detective he claims framed him for a 1995 murder.
Chicago Man Facing Federal Charge After Near North Carjacking
| Matt Masterson
The 23-year-old suspect is accused of carjacking multiple vehicles last week. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Visceral Dance and Chicago Philharmonic Revive Haunting ‘Dream’
| Hedy Weiss
Nick Pupillo’s haunting, hourlong narrative work, performed in collaboration with the Chicago Philharmonic, highlights the impressive dramatic skills of the Visceral dancers.
Shedd Aquarium Welcomes 6 Wood Ducklings
| Alex Ruppenthal
New residents of the aquarium’s “At Home on the Great Lakes” exhibit are spending their first days bonding with their mother.
Former Nepalese Child Laborer Seeks to Empower Women, Children
| Kristen Thometz
Meet Nasreen Sheikh, a former child laborer who is using her past to improve the lives of women and children around the world.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: A New Level of Newspaper Rivalry?
| WTTW News
Paris Schutz and guests discuss the newspaper rivalry between the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, and more.
The Week in Review: Mayor Emanuel Faces Increasingly Crowded Field
| WTTW News
A caravan of candidates vow to take on Mayor Rahm Emanuel. A push to regulate gun shops fails. Assessing the Bears first round draft pick. And what does the future hold for Chicago’s newspapers?
Joffrey Ballet Celebrates a Wild and Crazy Swedish-Style ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
| Hedy Weiss
You will never experience anything quite like it. Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is now receiving its North American premiere by the Joffrey Ballet, and it is a monumental achievement on every level.
Motown Mastermind Lamont Dozier Makes Music with Chicago Children’s Theatre
| Marc Vitali
He wrote a multitude of Motown classics, and now he’s working with Chicago Children’s Theatre. Legendary songwriter Lamont Dozier and his son talk about their new musical “Last Stop on Market Street.”
Prominent UIC Child Psychiatrist Accused of Putting Children at Risk
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
A star researcher is accused of violating research rules and putting children at risk, while UIC is accused of being compliant. We speak with Jodi Cohen, the ProPublica Illinois reporter who broke the story.
Newly Rediscovered Historic House in Wilmette Faces Uncertain Future
| Eddie Arruza
An historic house from the 1933 Century of Progress is among the buildings on Landmarks Illinois 2018 most endangered list. We revisit our tour of the long-forgotten house.
Rauner Dismisses Would-Be Opponent as ‘Pawn’
| Amanda Vinicky
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner weighs in for the first time on a new entrant to the governor’s race: state Sen. Sam McCann.
Chicago’s Last Tannery Specializes in Horse Leather, NFL Footballs
| Evan Garcia
Horween Leather has some high-profile clients. And if you’re a sports fan, chances are you’ve seen their work at play.
Chicago Launches CityKey, a New Municipal ID Program
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia tells us about the new ID card that pulls triple duty as a library and Ventra card. But it’s not without controversy.
WWCI Names Sandra Cordova Micek New President and CEO
| Matt Masterson
Sandra Cordova Micek will take over as president and CEO of WWCI, the parent company of WTTW and WFMT, beginning May 1 following the retirement last year of Dan Schmidt.
Former Lake Bluff Students Sue School District Over Sex Abuse Allegations
| Matt Masterson
Five former students filed civil suits this week against Lake Bluff School District 65, claiming it knowingly employed a sexually abusive teacher in the 1970s and ‘80s.
First Loves and Guilty Pleasures: Creating ‘The Mixtape of My Life’
| Nick Blumberg
The soundtrack to first loves, bad fights and family memories: Robert Elder’s new “music memoir” helps you create the mixtape of your life.
Porchlight Unlocks the Blazing Heart and Soul In Musical ‘Memphis’
| Hedy Weiss
A transformative evening in the theater, Porchlight Music Theatre’s production features galvanic direction, volcanic dancing, a powerhouse onstage band and a large, fiercely talented cast.
Gun-Rights Advocates Beat Back Effort to Regulate Illinois Gun Dealers
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the Gun Dealer Licensing Act in March. Wednesday was key to determining whether that veto would stick.
Melania Trump and the Role of First Lady
| Paul Caine
First lady Melania Trump hosts her first state dinner. A look at the historical role of first lady and how Trump is approaching the job.
Countering Racism, Racial Profiling: Is Racial Bias Training Enough?
| Alexandra Silets
Starbucks’ CEO apologizes after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia store and pledges a nationwide racial bias training. Is it enough?
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Obamas Celebrate Chicago Roots, Power of Community During Presidential Center’s Opening
Hear From the Architects Behind the Obama Presidential Center
What to Know About the History of Juneteenth and How It Became a Federal Holiday
Chicago Man Facing Hate Crime Charges After Cross Burning in Grant Park
Chicago’s Deputy Mayor for Community Safety on Teen Takeovers, Restorative Justice and the Value of Belonging
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter