Stories by Evan Garcia

A new interactive exhibit on climate change at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum addresses “the defining issue of our time,” says Steve Sullivan, senior curator of ecology at the museum. 

Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey started his day at Roosevelt High School in Albany Park. He hopes Friday’s walkout sparks action on the state budget. At Beasley Elementary in the Washington Park neighborhood, CTU President Karen Lewis rallied her troops and argued funding is exactly what the strike is about.

Thousands of Chicago public school teachers and supporters took to the streets Friday for a one-day strike. Pickets and protests were held all around the city. Eddie Arruza and his guests talk about the strike and other big news on this week’s edition of the Week in Review.

The Chicago Teachers Union is preparing for a "day of action" on Friday with rallies and protests to take place from early morning through the evening. What are the alternatives for parents who need to drop their kids at school, what is the strike about, and is it even legal? 

As Mayor Rahm Emanuel does an end-run around his own civilian police board to appoint a new interim police chief, “Chicago Tonight” asks a panel of aldermen to assess the power of the mayor in a post-Laquan McDonald world.

Watch the March 31, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Get your feet tapping this weekend for Chicago Tap Theatre’s latest show, grab a donut from donut fest or get your fill of deep dish at the Chicago Pizza Summit. 

Crowdfunding is helping some Chicago-based businesses get a running start. But some entrepreneurs say that money isn't everything.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has named Jean Franczyk as its new president and CEO. The South Side native returns to Chicago after working in London for 10 years. She joins “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her new role at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The nonprofit Lucy Parsons Labs has launched a secure platform for those looking to share sensitive documents with the media. 

In 1920, the Ku Klux Klan was a small, disorganized group with just 3,000 members in Alabama and Georgia. Then a public relations firm saw an opportunity to make a bundle by building the Klan. Dale Laackman's book, "For the Kingdom and the Power: The Big Money Swindle That Spread Hate Across America" tells the little-known story.  

Hear what viewers had to say about Paris Schutz's interview with Mayor Emanuel, our report on Cook County's dip in population and Chicago State University facing closure due to the state budget standoff when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

A political cartoon from the Newberry Library’s John T. McCutcheon collection depicts interviews with various voters about their thoughts concerning the 1936 election. Sentiments expressed then mirror opinions of today’s political landscape. Peruse the political cartoons.

Last week, the Illinois Supreme Court dealt Mayor Rahm Emanuel a huge blow, overturning reforms to two pension funds for city workers. The city argued reforms guaranteed previously unsecured retiree benefits, but the state’s high court wasn’t having it.

It has already cut its school year short and is now warning of hundreds of layoffs. Chicago State University's chancellor says the school is in shock because the state budget stalemate has starved it of funding. But is the 150-year-old school in danger of closing? 

Watch the March 30, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Every discussion of crime, poverty or high incarceration rates points back – in part – to jobs. For the last three years an innovative restaurant job-training program in Evanston has been providing support and practical experience to young men and more recently, women. Jay Shefsky went to Curt's Cafe to learn more.

In recent years there's been a modest resurgence in America's manufacturing sector but some economists believe the U.S. will never again be the manufacturing powerhouse it once was. However, new technologies, especially 3-D printing, are what some say will transform American industry and Chicago is getting on board. 

A new study shows why Neanderthal DNA can be bad for you. Astronomers capture visual evidence of an exploding star. And sometimes, it’s a bad idea to go to the Internet for help. Rabiah Mayas from the Museum of Science and Industry joins “Chicago Tonight” to examine these stories and more.

Crain’s Chicago Business managing editor Ann Dwyer takes a closer look at Chicago-based aerospace giant Boeing’s latest move to cut costs by slashing 4,000 jobs, changes at Tribune Publishing and what Chicago Cubs fans should expect on opening day.

Chicago Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss appraises the first performance staged in the recently opened Writers Theatre and the humorous one-man show, “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?” Get her take on these plays and others on currently on stage in Chicago. 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Eddie Johnson, his pick for CPD interim superintendent, has received support inside and outside of the police department. “I think he has the chops to make the changes that are necessary,” Emanuel said to Paris Schutz.

Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland meets with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, despite the GOP leadership's refusal to meet with an Obama nominee. We speak with WBEZ's Tony Arnold on the implications of this first courtesy call to a Republican senator.

Watch the March 29, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Blair Thomas has chased Melville’s story for over 25 years. His efforts manifest this weekend in a performance at the MCA.