Stories by Josclynn Brandon

Chicago filmmakers and brothers Jarrell and Jerome Lucas’ first major project aims to tell the stories of the city's infamous bucket drummers.

Jeanne Nolan spends time in Chicago Tonight’s organic vegetable garden and talks garden tips with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight. 

Diane Lanitker opened her home to help Roseland youth to provide them a safe haven from violence. Since Kids Off the Block’s founding in 2003, the organization has expanded beyond the walls of Lanitker’s home as word spread among local youth that there was a woman who would help them.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford pleads guilty to lesser charges after prosecutors drop 17 felony bank fraud charges. Carol Marin has the latest.

A toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie put Toledo's drinking water in jeopardy. Could the same thing happen to Lake Michigan and Chicago's water supply? Paris Schutz has the latest.

The largest Ebola virus outbreak in history is plaguing the western coast of Africa as one American doctor returns home for treatment. With more than 4,000 infected, international organizations are stepping up their response and aid to the affected countries.

Community groups in Little Village organize to prevent violence in a neighborhood that sits on the border between two warring gang factions. 

As the Tribune Company spins off its newspaper assets, we talk to Lynne Marek of Crain's Chicago Business about the prospects for Tribune Publishing and its stable of newspapers going forward.

A local professor has co-created a computer program that calculates age from a selfie. We talk about the development, process, and accuracy of the project FaceMyAge. 

We share what you had to say about our story on Bitcoin expansion in Chicago when read some of our viewer feedback. 

40th Ward Alderman Pat O’Connor, the mayor’s City Council floor leader, lashed out today at claims that he passed a bill trying to weaken the city council watchdog’s power to police campaign finance. And he says the timing of the bill, first reported by Chicago Tonight, is not connected to a recently opened probe into possible campaign finance violations O’Connor may have committed. 

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy says that he believes there is no indication that the department is ‘faking crime stats’ in an effort to artificially give off the perception that crime is lower than it is.

A healthy living fest, Bears practice under the lights, and a free ABBA-inspired concert; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines.  

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s initiative to temporarily house 1,000 immigrant children. 

City officials aren’t the only ones trying to make a dent in Chicago’s violence. There are heroes and heroines throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods providing positive alternatives for youth in an effort to help reduce the violence that plagues the city. We’ll meet some of those community activists who are trying to make a difference.

The computer Watson, best known for winning a $1 million prize on the quiz show "Jeopardy!," is now using the vast power of its artificial intelligence for everything from medical diagnostics to creating new cooking recipes. We talk to Chicagoan Stephen Gold, vice president at IBM's Watson group, about what Watson has in store for us.

Sean Graney, founder of The Hypocrites, works to wrap up rehearsals on "All Our Tragic," his lengthy adaptation of every extant Greek tragedy.

The big studio blockbusters fizzled at the box office this summer. We look at the films that got people talking and put people into theater seats. We also look ahead to the highly anticipated fall films. 

We share what you had to say about aldermen voting to reduce campaign finance oversight when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Aldermen vote to drastically reduce oversight of their campaign fundraising. Is it a sign that City Council still isn't ready for reform?

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart joins us to talk jail overcrowding, criminal justice setbacks, and what he calls the criminalization of mental illness in the state of Illinois and across the country. 

Historian Darlene Clark Hine of Chicago received the 2013 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama. Hine was honored for her work on understanding the African American experience. We talk with Hine about the award and her work.

Chicago banjo player Michael Miles had a 25-year correspondence with legendary folk musician and activist Pete Seeger, who died earlier this year. Miles tells Jay Shefsky how the cards and letters changed his life.

From invasive species to summer storms, there's a lot going on in the world of science. Museum of Science and Industry's Rabiah Mayas stops by for another Scientific Chicago.

Geoffrey Baer tells us what's at the end of the line for old "L" cars and more as we revisit a previous edition of Ask Geoffrey.