Stories by Alexandra Silets

The general consensus: Last week's GOP presidential debate on CNBC was a disaster, but it has led to a lot of discussion over what sort of format and approach upcoming debates should take. Newton Minow, who has been called the father of televised presidential debates, joins our discussion.

The new head of the Chicago Urban League joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about the city's gun violence and how the 99-year-old organization aims to help foster a new generation of black leaders.

In December 1944 Hitler and the German army were desperate. Losing the war on two fronts, they launched a last great offensive in a desperate gamble to split the Western Allies. The fighting was ferocious, with atrocities on both sides, and the outcome shaped history. It's a story told in acclaimed author Antony Beevor's latest book "Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge."

This weekend marks an important annual date on the city’s arts calendar. That's because the art fair SOFA Chicago docks at Navy Pier the first weekend of November. "Chicago Tonight" visited yesterday for the installation of the show and found both local and international connections. Jay Shefsky brings us the story.

The best ways to dance, laugh, eat, drink and stretch your way through the weekend.

Television writer and producer Norman Lear took a lighthearted approach to many challenging social and political issues in groundbreaking sitcoms such as “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” 

Once celebrated as a hero, Fox Lake police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz is now said by investigators to have staged a suicide to cover up an alleged yearslong crime scheme.

New rules that will allow rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft to start making pickups from O'Hare and Midway airports could be in place as early as Nov. 18. How will these changes impact taxi drivers and others who drive for a living? We speak with Peter Ali Enger of the United Taxi Drivers’ Community Council.

“Game of Thrones” creator George R.R. Martin said Wednesday he never foresaw the popular HBO television series catching up to the books despite it taking an average three years and nine months between each book’s publication.

Oscar Mayer is making cold cuts as Kraft Heinz moves its headquarters to Chicago. Tesla may soon be cruising the Mag Mile; while Groupon looks to reverse its fortunes with a new CEO. Joining us with these stories and more is Crain's Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer.

Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad speaks about achieving the dream she'd once abandoned of swimming from Cuba to Florida–and why age shouldn't hold anyone back.

Local history expert Geoffrey Baer gets schooled at Midway Airport, snags a free pickle at a long-lost Old Town favorite and soars with 19 terracotta eagles in Lakeview during this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

At least 43 union workers continue to cash checks from the state, despite the closure of several institutions, including the 138-year-old Illinois State Museum in Springfield.

Illinois is in its fifth month without a state budget and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner have traded barbs—and possibly some dead fish—over how to resolve the impasse that is sucking all of the oxygen up in Springfield. We talk with "Chicago Tonight" reporters Paris Shutz and Amanda Vinicky, and WBEZ political reporter Tony Arnold. 

Four out of 10 Chicago Public Schools principals say they are very likely to leave their jobs in the next three years. A new report from The Chicago Public Education Fund surveyed 65 percent of district principals and found four key ways to keep the city's best school leaders on the job longer. Brandis Friedman has the details.

Enrollment is now open for health insurance through the Get Covered Illinois marketplace. The Midwest regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tells us what to look for when reconsidering or shopping for a health insurance policy under the Affordable Care Act.

For half a century, “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz entertained and educated the masses with didactic characters that fans came to know as real people—with real causes. From pollution to recycling, the “Peanuts ... Naturally” exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum embraces Schulz’ forward-thinking ability to confront global issues through the hearts of children and adults alike.

The award-winning author discusses his latest book–also the newest One Book, One Chicago selection–a sweeping history of his hometown, subtitled "When Chicago Built the American Dream."

Chicago is not defined solely by its human residents. It’s a city with a living, evolving "ecological web of interactions" between man and animal, according to Gavin Van Horn. He joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about "City Creatures," a book which details urban wildlife history through essays, poetry, photography and paintings.

Former U.S. Rep. Augustus "Gus" Savage died Saturday, one day after his 90th birthday. Savage, who was born in Detroit and raised in Chicago, was a controversial public figure whose career spanned journalism, publishing, politics and activism. Services are set for Saturday in Chicago.

Chicago teachers begin steps toward another possible teachers strike, as Chicago Public Schools announce big layoffs on the horizon.

Last month, Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich took part in Pope Francis' synod on the family. Cupich joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss the synod, as well as his private meeting with Pope Francis earlier this year and other issues facing the modern church.