Stories by Drew Kann

Rondi Charleston

A highly successful TV journalist changed careers and is now making a name for herself in music. We meet Rondi Charleston.

Viewer Feedback: 5/23

School Closings

The Chicago School Board voted to close 50 CPS schools. We share what some of you had to say in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Web Extra: Schools CEO & CTU President

Watch CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and CTU President Karen Lewis's full testimony from today's school board meeting.

School Board Votes to Close 50 Chicago Schools

The Chicago School Board voted to close 49 elementary schools and one high school program in the largest shutdown in U.S. history.

Board President Vitale Defends Closings

Is it worth it? Chicago School Board President David Vitale joins us to discuss the board’s polarizing decision to close 50 schools.

Karen Lewis: I Hope You Can Live With It

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis  joins us to discuss the largest school closing in CPS history.

School Closings Analysis

Now that the School Board has voted to close 50 schools, what happens next? We have analysis.

Chicago Business News: 5/22

Chicago's historic Palmer House hotel is up for sale. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

House Committee Passes "Fracking" Regulations

A bill that paves the way for high-level horizontal fracking in Illinois cleared an important hurdle.

1 Day Until School Closings Vote

After months of community meetings, debate and protest, the Chicago School Board is set to vote on possibly closing 54 schools. Elizabeth Brackett previews Wednesday's vote.

Stock Market Reaction to Bernanke Testimony

The stock market is flying high. We take a look what's going on, and at how Fed chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony before Congress could affect the markets tomorrow.

CTA President on Red Line Reconstruction

The southbound Red Line is down for the next five months. CTA President Forrest Claypool joins us to explain this massive revitalization project, and lays out his vision for the future of Chicago transit.

"City Water, City Life"

How Water Defined 19th Century Cities

As Chicago debates whether nonprofits should be allowed free water, we discuss the origins of the city's water system. Northwestern University's Carl Smith joins us with stories from his latest book, City Water, City Life.

Scientific Chicago with Neil Shubin

Songbirds, Psychopaths & Salt

What can the songs of the Zebra finch tell us about the development of language in humans? Our science guy, Neil Shubin, tells us more in this edition of Scientific Chicago.

Portrait Artist Greta Kempton

We meet an elusive portrait artist who painted Hollywood stars and a U.S. President, and find out how a giant collection of her artwork ended up in a suburb of Chicago.

Day 3 of School Closures Protest

Chicago teachers, parents and students march for a third day to protest impending school closures. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

School Board Votes This Week on Closings

The Chicago Public School Board will vote on school closings on Wednesday. Carol Marin and her guests have the latest.

Quinn on Pensions, Gambling & More

Medical marijuana, pensions, gambling and guns. What will the governor do about these hot-button issues as lawmakers enter the final stretch of the spring session? Paris Schutz has more.

Merits of Medical Marijuana

With a medical marijuana bill on the governor's desk, we hear more about what diseases it can treat and the chemistry behind how it works. 

The Ghost Army

We look at a group of artists enlisted by the military to trick the enemy during World War II.

"They Seek a City"

Chicago and the Art of Migration, 1910 – 1950

We dig into a deeply rooted exhibition that showcases artists who found inspiration in the common experience of migration.

Viewer Feedback: 5/20

Navy Pier & McCormick Place

We hear what you had to say about the mayor's plans to expand McCormick Place and overhaul Navy Pier when we read some of our viewer feedback.

IL Senate Approves Medical Marijuana

The Illinois Senate approved a medical marijuana bill by 35-21. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 5/17

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

Web Extra: The Week in Review: 5/17

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss a new Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll showing waning support for a Chicago casino, and the potential impact of slot machines at Chicago airports.

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/17 - 5/19

Close encounters with stingrays, graffiti-turned-fine art, and Yo-Yo Ma in a special event at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
 

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