Stories by WTTW News

From Alice the corpse plant to liquid water on Mars to the Chicago Bears: Test your news knowledge with this week's set of questions.

With the over-65 population in the U.S. expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, financial exploitation of senior citizens will increase dramatically, according to a new book.

Martha Stewart, David Petraeus, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and many more notable speakers will be in town this month for Chicago Ideas Week. Tonight we’ll talk with the founder of the annual cultural event about what to expect this year.

Teller, the usually silent half of magic duo Penn and Teller, speaks his mind about the new production of "The Tempest" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in which he weaves stage illusions into the story of an exiled duke who uses the supernatural world to protect his daughter.

The number of single-parent households has tripled since 1960. Grammy and Academy award-winning hip-hop artist Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a native of Chicago's South Side, embraces this subject in a new documentary titled "In My Father's House," which chronicles his reconciliation with the father who abandoned him as a child. Rhymefest joins us tonight to discuss his new film.

For more than four decades, Variety Comics has anchored the corner of Western and Wilson avenues and attracted comic book fans and the curious alike with its superhero murals. At the end of October, the Lincoln Square comic book store will close.

In light of a nationwide gender disparity among playwrights, all four of Goodman’s new resident playwrights just happen to be women. Meet them all right now.

The Chicago Park District is hosting tonight the second of two public meetings on the proposed Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Brandis Friedman will have a live report from McCormick Place.

As summer turns to fall, time seems to be at a standstill in Springfield. With the House not scheduled to meet anytime soon, is now the time for state lawmakers to break ranks and come up with a plan B? And if so, what practical options do they have? We talk with a group of so-called rebel lawmakers.

As the Cubs head into the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the team is seeing an almost 12 percent increase in attendance. What effect might this have on future ticket prices? Crain’s Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer sheds light on this story and others with Eddie Arruza.

An ambitious new government-led research initiative aims to fully map the human brain. The goal is to advance understanding of how the brain works and develop treatments for crippling neurological diseases. But for researchers, the Holy Grail is to understand the origins of human consciousness. Two leading neuroscientists join us to talk about this potentially groundbreaking project.

From incredible feline feats to free museum admission, to a pooch parade to hot apple cider, we've got your weekend covered.

An architect with a global portfolio but a laser-like focus on context. Works deeply embedded in culture but devoted to breaking stereotypes. And a talented eye with more of an approach than a style. "Chicago Tonight" takes a look inside David Adjaye's new solo architecture exhibition at the Art Institute’s modern wing.

Amid controversy and an outcry from parents and principals regarding budget cuts to special education and layoffs for teachers and aides, CPS announces plans to change the way the district serves students with special needs. Tonight, find out how the district plans to change its focus. 

There was no public countdown, no fanfare this time. And yet, a corpse flower is blooming – right now – at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Watch a livestream of the rare event.

After a year of delays, the Array of Things urban data sensor project is back on track and prepping to collect all sorts of information on Chicago's streets by early next year. Joining us to discuss the initiative are the project’s lead scientist Charlie Catlett and author Lori Andrews.

Along a busy stretch of Western Avenue on the North Side of the city is the newly opened West Ridge Nature Preserve. The 20-acre park includes woods, wetlands, walking paths and a 4.5-acre pond. Jay Shefsky goes for a tour. 

Conservationist George Archibald has spent his life working to bring cranes back from the brink of extinction. He joins “Chicago Tonight” to talk about his groundbreaking work which has been recognized around the world.

Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot and his co-author Keith Miniscalco discuss their book “Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball.”

Did you take pictures of Sunday's harvest supermoon eclipse? We'd like to see them. Use the form below to share your photos with us and we'll use them in an online gallery.

Last week NASA said it would be making a major announcement today about a discovery on Mars. While some space fans might have been hoping it was about finding life, the announcement was about something almost as significant. Adler Planetarium astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz joins us to discuss the latest on the Red Planet.

Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno discuss the budget standoff in Springfield.

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen fell to 1-11 in 12 career starts after failing to lead the Bears into the red zone at CenturyLink Field. Starting in place of the injured Jay Cutler, Clausen didn't make any big mistakes but also couldn't generate any big plays.