Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

A team of scientists was exploring a rocky patch of ocean floor when they found something that shouldn’t have been there: octopuses – lots of them.

Acknowledging the existence of “gender fluidity,” the 45th annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards nominations for performance are now nonbinary.

The work of both composers shares the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s current program led by Maestro Riccardo Muti. And the result is a most winning mix of opposing musical temperaments.

The Windy City is the first in the nation to require tobacco health warning signs at the doors of all tobacco dealers. The new law also prohibits all free sampling of tobacco products.

Chicago is the country’s 22nd most polluted city, according to a new study of air pollutants by the American Lung Association. 

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss whether there’s a newspaper war brewing in Chicago.

Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown joins the race for mayor. A federal appeals court says the federal government may not withhold funding from so-called sanctuary cities. And the U.S. Supreme Court denies an appeal from Rod Blagojevich.

The Chicago Police Board may seek to fire an officer who shot and killed two people during a domestic disturbance call in 2015.

Watch the April 19, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

May-Ling Ho-Shing is a survivor of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The 17-year-old shared a message Thursday with students at Thornwood High School in South Holland.

Grace Kennan Warnecke, the daughter of legendary American diplomat George Kennan, talks about her new memoir.

The actor known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s “The Office” talks about his dual roles in Matthew-Lee Erlbach’s new play “The Doppelganger.”

State Sen. Sam McCann enters the race for Illinois governor as a Conservative Party candidate.

Are selfies the new autograph? A local company connects celebrities with their fans through personalized videos.

CPS CEO Janice Jackson talks with us about school funding and investigations into special education and school cleanliness. 

In an effort to reduce plastic waste, the White Sox have become the first team in Major League Baseball to get rid of disposable straws for nearly an entire season.

Chicago won’t have to give up its “sanctuary city” policies in order to receive federal grant money, an appeals court ruled Thursday.

A sort of equal-opportunity snake pit of corruption, violence and ridiculous sex-capades, Matthew-Lee Erlbach’s play is now receiving its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre.

In 2014, a suburban gymnast told police her coach sexually abused her. Now, with that coach under investigation again, she is sharing her story publicly. “I felt very alone during all of it,” she said. “I’m hoping my story can help other people.”

Why some experts caution that a proposed express train between the Loop and O’Hare could fly off the tracks, financially.

Watch the April 18, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Money Smart Week 2018 is coming to Chicago. What should parents tell their children about money? A discussion with Beth Kobliner.

A massive new international study finds the health impacts of alcohol may be worse than previously thought.

How independently can adults with intellectual disabilities live as they age? We visit a group of men who have shared a home for decades. 

The ranks of challengers to Mayor Rahm Emanuel are swelling. The educator and entrepreneur tells us what’s fueling his run for office.

The first woman to be president of the University of Chicago, who is also a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, talks about her extraordinary life.