Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

A new study by researchers at Northwestern University could help tech developers incorporate smell into virtual reality systems, adding a new wrinkle to technology that has, thus far, focused primarily on visuals and audio.

A recent warm-weather spell might make it tempting to dig into your garden. But with another cold spell likely, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Boyce Tankersley says it’s too early to break out the garden shears.

A vivid production of “Schiller’s Mary Stuart” at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is fresh and modern, but never artificially tricked up.

Six former employees of the shuttered Center for Employment Training’s Chicago location allegedly swindled millions from the U.S. government using “fake students” and forged records.

The annual list of endangered Chicago buildings – and this year, paving materials – sounds the alarm about historic structures the preservation group believes are in danger of being erased.

A new poll shows J.B. Pritzker leading not only the Democratic pack of governor hopefuls, but also the embattled incumbent. High-flying plans for a major O’Hare expansion hit turbulence. And Loyola tries to keep its March Madness dream alive.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political orbit, and how the White Sox will fare this season.

Watch the March 1, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Born in Italy, Virginio Ferrari came to Chicago in the 1960s, and he blossomed into an internationally sought-after sculptor. We visit the 80-year-old in his Bridgeport studio.

After a highly critical independent report finds Cook County property taxes punish the poor, officials from the assessor’s office are put in the hot seat.

In 1967, African-Americans took their discontent to the street and President Lyndon Johnson tasked a commission to find out why. The last surviving member of that commission talks about progress made and lost in the years since.

A new investment strategy calls for Chicago to redirect funds toward companies that prioritize environmental responsibility and social causes, but local climate activists say the plan falls short.

House Bill 768 passed through the state House and Senate easily last year, but the governor’s veto of the legislation, which seeks to limit state oversight of local decisions to shutter underperforming charter schools, doesn’t come as a surprise.

As students in Florida returned to class for the first time since a gunman opened fire at their Parkland high school, Illinois lawmakers advanced a series of gun control measures in Springfield.

A world premiere play by Bruce Norris, a rare return to acting by Tarell Alvin McCraney and the Chicago premieres of a recent Broadway hit by Lucas Hnath and a 2015 play by Danai Gurira – and more – are coming to Steppenwolf Theatre.

Watch the Feb. 28, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

We meet a longtime sailor who races boats on ice – not water. “Ice boating is sailing, it’s just a faster, more exciting version of it,” Chris Berger says.

As survivors of the Parkland shooting return to school in Florida, we ask local high school students their thoughts on school safety and gun control.

Meet Maya Bird-Murphy, an Oak Park architecture enthusiast aiming to open the industry to more minorities and women.

A brain-damaging pollutant found at high levels near thousands of Southeast Side homes would be banned at future industrial sites under a new ordinance introduced by city officials Wednesday.

We speak with the former secretary of state and Patricia Harrison, the president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, about the hard work of reminding America of its shared creed.

Plans for a new Englewood high school have been at the center of fierce debate for months. Wednesday’s vote marks the first wave of neighborhood school closures within the district since it shuttered 50 elementary schools in 2013.

West Garfield Park residents have a life expectancy of 69 years, compared to an average life expectancy of 85 years in the Loop. By 2030, West Side United hopes to cut that life expectancy gap in half.

A shopping-cart race, eco-minded films, competitive chili and vintage finds usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Head Coach Porter Moser says the No. 1-ranked team needs to keep its eye on the ball ahead of Friday’s game in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. “We’ve got our work cut out for us and we’ve got to focus in on that.”

As Chicago Public Schools moves to finalize the planned closures of four Englewood high schools, community members are claiming the district “manufactured consent” for the controversial plan.