Stories by Amanda Vinicky

Deadline Day Arrives for Chicago Mayoral Hopefuls

Candidates aiming to be Chicago’s next mayor had until 5 p.m. Monday to turn in the paperwork that will get them on the ballot – paperwork that includes the signatures of at least 12,500 registered Chicago voters.

After 23 Years on City Council, Ald. Solis Not Seeking Re-Election

Just days after he said he was going to file petitions to seek re-election as 25th Ward alderman, Danny Solis announced he’s not pursuing another term. He joins us to reflect on his career and look to the city’s future.

Chicagoans Celebrate Landing of Latest Mars Probe

It took six months, a voyage of 300 million miles and a final “seven minutes of terror,” but NASA’s InSight spacecraft on Monday touched down on Mars in a landing the craft’s chief engineer called “flawless.”

Nov. 26, 2018 - Full Show

Watch the Nov. 26, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

The Mystery of Nathan Leopold’s Bird Collection

In all the attempts to dissect the Leopold and Loeb story, one mystery remains unsolved: What happened to the vast bird collection that Nathan Leopold had in his Chicago home when he went to prison?

City Animal Shelter to Get $1.5 Million Upgrade for Medical Unit

The renovated medical and surgery areas at Chicago Animal Care and Control will replace the shelter’s existing medical unit, which is more than 20 years old. 

Tradition and Hi-Tech Blend Seamlessly in Broadway-Ready ‘Wizard of Oz’

At Paramount Theatre, director-choreographer Amber Mak and her sensational team of actors and designers magically pay homage to the emotional richness of the 1939 film while incorporating some of the newest tricks of technology.

Slick Roads, Blowing Snow Delay Air, Road Travel in Midwest

The Chicago area was slammed with up to a foot of wet snow, and whiteout conditions stalled commuter traffic on the roads.

Chicago Defends Location of Obama Library in Federal Court

The city of Chicago responded last week to a lawsuit seeking to stop construction of the Obama Presidential Center, saying the buildings would sit on land that wasn't subject to restrictive public-trust laws.

Ex-Trump Campaign Adviser Papadopoulos to Report to Prison

Former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos was scheduled to report to prison on Monday after a federal judge rejected his last-minute bid to delay his two-week sentence.

New ‘Miss Saigon’ Tour Turns Up the Heat But Loses the Heart

The new touring production of the epic show could not be more elaborate, but it trades more in shock value than pathos, and loses something in the process.

Who’s Who in the Laquan McDonald Shooting Conspiracy Trial

Three current and former Chicago police officers will go on trial this week, accused of attempting to cover up details of the high-profile shooting. Here are the key names to know as the case gets underway.

Funeral Services Set for Chicago Officer Killed at Mercy Hospital

The Chicago Police Department released funeral arrangements for Officer Samuel Jimenez, who was shot and killed by a gunman Monday at the South Side hospital.

It’s a Twitter War: Doctors Clash with NRA Over Gun Deaths

The debate gained new urgency this week with the shooting death of Dr. Tamara O’Neal outside Mercy Hospital, as physicians argue shootings are a public health crisis that they must play a key role in trying to stem. 

Study: Drivers Traveled 1.9M Extra Miles Due to Closed City Emission Test Sites

A new analysis shows that closing Chicago's final two vehicle emissions testing facilities came at a cost to hundreds of thousands of city drivers, with the biggest impact on low-income and minority drivers. 

Americans, Canadians Are Warned Not to Eat Romaine Lettuce

Health officials in the U.S. and Canada told people Tuesday to stop eating romaine lettuce because of a new E. coli outbreak. Two people in Illinois have tested positive for this same outbreak strain. 

Deere Profit Soars as Company Lays Out Upbeat Outlook

A boost in construction equipment sales drove profit higher for Deere & Co. in the fourth quarter, but the results fell short of Wall Street expectations.

10 Things to Do This Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov. 22-25

A Thanksgiving Day parade, holiday markets, sing-a-longs and sleights of hand usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Domestic Disputes Can Lead to Workplace Violence Against Women

Dr. Tamara O’Neal was shot and killed Monday after her ex-fiance confronted her outside of Mercy Hospital. But when it comes to workplace violence against women, O’Neal’s story is not uncommon. 

Nov. 20, 2018 - Full Show

Watch the Nov. 20, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Trump Declares Support for Saudis Despite Khashoggi Murder

President Donald Trump says the U.S. stands with Saudi Arabia despite the murder of a Washington Post journalist by agents of the Saudi regime.

Running and Life Lessons with ‘Wait, Wait’ Host Peter Sagal

You may know him as the funny and irreverent host of NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” But did you know Peter Sagal is also an avid runner? We get the rundown on “The Incomplete Book of Running.”

Bob Dylan’s Legendary Electric Guitar on Display in Chicago

The first electric guitar Bob Dylan played live in performance – a legendary instrument which sparked uproar – is on public display at the American Writers Museum. We go for a look.

Monsters, Musicals and Must-Sees at the Theater

From monsters and novelists to a depressed construction foreman in Belarus, the Chicago theater scene is as varied as ever. Hedy Weiss joins us with reviews and recommendations.

Mary Zimmerman Puts English Panto Twist on Heartbreaking Tale

To bring Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” to vivid life, director Mary Zimmerman looks to the English pantomime tradition, and draws on her ingenious, visually stunning storytelling tricks.

City Mourns Officer, Staff Killed in Mercy Hospital Shooting

A mass shooting at a Chicago hospital left four people dead, including an emergency room doctor, a police officer with less than two years on the force and a first-year pharmaceutical resident.
 

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