Stories by Eddie Arruza

Ultima Thule, the relatively tiny object in the outer solar system, is now the farthest cosmic body to be reached by humans. We hear from the lead scientist behind the farthest flyby ever.

Meet the founders of the Chicago Furniture Bank, which offers people in need an apartment’s worth of gently used furniture, including beds for each family member, for just $50.

A show at the Art Institute explores the work of a group of Chicago artists who made a strong impression on the art world in the 1960s.

Pet portraits, model trains, fermented tea and a murder mystery usher in the first weekend of 2019. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The Chicago Police Department has taken steps to combat low morale and suicide among its officers, but some are calling for more to be done.

Geoffrey Baer has some newspaper history hot off of yesteryear’s presses, and dives deep into the fishy story of storm drain covers in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Preliminary numbers indicate that homicides in Chicago fell last year, though the total again eclipses the number of homicides in Los Angeles and New York combined, according to data released Tuesday.

A new study links higher levels of key nutrients associated with the Mediterranean diet to more efficient brain connectivity and performance on cognitive tests in older adults. 

Nearly 250 Chicago schools have been labelled “underutilized,” according to district data. That total exceeds the number of schools CPS says are running efficiently.

The Trump administration’s plan to roll back limits on toxic mercury pollution will harm Great Lakes fish – and potentially those who eat them, advocates say.

Activist and entrepreneur Ja’Mal Green has dropped out of the race to become Chicago’s next mayor. His departure brings to 17 the number of candidates vying for the seat.

The Chicago Police Department fields about 500 domestic violence calls every day. One police officer tries to help victims by sharing his own experiences. “I know what it’s like to need help and not knowing who can help me,” said Officer Gino Garcia.

Fueled by that relentless defense and 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns by Jordan Howard, the Bears beat the Vikings 24-10 on Sunday for their first sweep of Minnesota since 2011.

The origins of a suspected computer attack that disrupted the Los Angeles Times and Tribune Publishing newspapers remained unclear Sunday after causing delivery delays.

Farmers and others across the state are preparing to grow and process a new crop as Illinois finalizes regulations for industrial hemp. 

Ring in the new year with comedy, craft beer, roller skates, wild animals and classic fireworks. Here are 10 ways to kick off 2019 in and around Chicago.

The Illinois Department of Transportation wants people who found brand new drones under the tree on Christmas morning to know that their new toys come with state and federal regulations that have to be followed.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the Democratic “blue wave” that ousted Republican incumbent U.S. Reps. Randy Hultgren and Peter Roskam in November. 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hangs it up, J.B. Pritzker defeats Gov. Bruce Rauner, and the Chicago Police Department has a tumultuous year. We recap the top stories of the year and predict the biggest of 2019.

An arrest warrant for murder has been issued for a man in the death of a cabdriver who died after being kicked in the head during a traffic altercation, but Chicago police say the man went to China.

The school district says identification numbers, grades, standardized test scores and the email addresses of numerous Ogden Elementary students were exposed in the latest CPS data breach.

Watch the Dec. 27, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

On Jan. 1, 2019, more than 250 new laws take effect in Illinois, changing rules related to gun control and public safety to animal welfare, education – and possibly your cellphone. We give you the rundown.

Who were the central players behind America’s U-2 spy program? A new book by Monte Reel tells all. 

Six days of a federal shutdown with no budget deal in sight. What’s happening in and out of the nation’s capital, and what can we expect? Lisa Desjardins of the “PBS NewsHour” joins us.

Are you scared of being separated from your cellphone? You are “nomophobic” – one of 2018’s words of the year. Linguist Jason Riggle gives us the rundown of this year’s top terms.