Stories by Marc Vitali

A who’s who of great artists and writers of the 20th century was influenced by one who died in semi-obscurity nearly 200 years ago.

Since embarking on a new sustainability initiative, Shedd Aquarium has cut annual water use by more than half, from 60 million gallons in 2012 to 28 million gallons today.

Meet DiaBetty, the voice-enabled diabetes coach and educator developed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago to help newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients manage the condition.

Two former university employees charged in the brutal stabbing death of a Chicago hairstylist earlier this summer have pleaded not guilty to a half-dozen murder charges levied against them.

Foodies who may be missing the bow-tied former host of “America’s Test Kitchen” don’t have to wait any longer to find out what he’s been cooking.

Some call him a progressive publisher. Others, lewd. But late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was undeniably successful at building his brand. We take a look at his legacy.

Mayor Emanuel and state lawmakers are quietly hatching a plan to give $100 million in state money to the Obama Presidential Center. Is Illinois ready to pony up?

Who’s on the team assigned to lure Amazon’s new national headquarters to Chicago? It may be easier to ask who isn’t involved.

Watch the Sept. 27, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The walls of a South Side armory tell the history of warriors throughout the ages. Geoffrey Baer shares that story and more in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

It may officially be fall, but for the past week Chicago has been experiencing a record-breaking heat wave. Jeanne Nolan joins us in the WTTW organic garden.

The race to create self-driving cars is heating up. One automaker has taken a significant step towards a hands-free future with a model that will soon be available in the Chicago area.

Chicago police officers are getting new use-of-force training, but the city’s largest police union is objecting.

Author Denise Kiernan talks about the tumultuous history of a North Carolina home that’s detailed in her new book.

Beers and brats, fresh apple pie, celebrity chefs, tree climbers and South Side architecture usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

A Chicago-area man who wanted to buy a dog for his daughter nearly fell victim to a West African-based scheme targeting thousands of hopeful pet owners. What the Better Business Bureau is saying about the scam.

“Everything is unusual about this case until we hear more,” a Loyola University Chicago criminal justice professor said regarding Wyndham Lathem and Andrew Warren – two former university employees accused in the stabbing death of a Chicago hairstylist.

More than two dozen of the state’s best tree climbers will face off in challenges this weekend when a little-known event returns to Chicago after a decadeslong hiatus.

The Trump administration fights back against widespread criticism of its slow response to Hurricane Maria, while Chicago’s Puerto Rican community mobilizes to try to send supplies and water to the island.

A big change could be coming to the police accountability apparatus.

A new wrinkle in Chicago’s legal battle with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Watch the Sept. 26, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Meet Clive Stockil, a conservationist being honored in Chicago who is helping Zimbabwe’s rhinos bounce back from the threat of extinction.

Barbara Flynn Currie was elected to the House in 1978. Twenty years later, House Speaker Michael Madigan tapped her to be the House majority leader—the first woman to hold the position. Currie discusses her decision to call it quits.

The fall theater season is in full swing. Chicago Sun-Times theater and dance critic Hedy Weiss shares her recommendations at the Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Lyric Opera and more.

Get ready, writers and editors: We take a look inside the newest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style and discuss its most attention-grabbing new rules with Carol Fisher Saller.