Stories by Hedy Weiss
‘Columbinus’ More Harrowing With Cast of Actual High School Students
| Hedy Weiss
An intensely disciplined, fearless, altogether remarkable ensemble of sophisticated young artists brings this singular – and singularly riveting – docu-drama to life.
Women-Only Coworking Spaces Get Red-Carpet Welcome in Chicago
| Eddie Arruza
An organization in New York City that doesn’t allow men is under investigation for discrimination. But in Chicago, women-only coworking spaces are on the rise.
‘You Have to Protect Us’: Residents Speak Out About Manganese Pollution
| Alex Ruppenthal
About 100 Southeast Side residents attended the first public meeting addressing exposure to neurotoxic manganese since the city became aware of it in 2016. “How are you going to keep us healthy?” one resident asked.
Why Lori Lightfoot Wants to Replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel
| Paul Caine
The former police board president, appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, on why she now wants to replace him.
Jesmyn Ward’s ‘Sing, Unburied, Sing’ Tackles Legacy of Racial Injustice
| Nick Blumberg
Mississippi’s long-running literary tradition includes renowned names like William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Richard Wright. Add to that list the only woman to win the National Book Award twice: Jesmyn Ward.
Illinois Eyes Sports Betting Revenue as Supreme Court Lifts Ban
| WTTW News
Sports gambling gets a big boost from the U.S. Supreme Court. What that could that mean for Illinois.
Máximo the Titanosaur to Debut June 1 at Field Museum
| Alex Ruppenthal
The enormous dinosaur cast replacing Sue the T. rex at the Field Museum will be here in just a few weeks. And the new resident now has a name.
City Seeks to Reduce Prescription Costs for Residents
| Kristen Thometz
“The cost of medicine should never, ever prevent anyone from getting the treatment they need,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Trump Tower’s Difficulties Leasing Space
| WTTW News
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the difficulties Trump Tower has faced leasing space. With guests Heather Cherone, Natasha Korecki, Laura Washington and Chris Jones.
The Week in Review: Lightfoot Vying for Mayor Emanuel’s Job
| WTTW News
An Emanuel appointee jumps into the Chicago mayor’s race. Illinois lawmakers have less than three weeks to pass a budget. Will they? And Chicago’s Lincoln Towing may lose its license.
Is the Opioid Epidemic Leaving Chronic Pain Patients Out in the Cold?
| Kristen Thometz
As the U.S. grapples with opioid addiction, chronic pain patients say the medications they rely on are being reduced and they’re being treated like “junkies.” “We’re not drug addicts,” says a patient with excruciating neuropathic pain.
Viewer Feedback: ‘I Think The Human Species Will Survive!’
| WTTW News
Your responses to a Harvard scientist’s research into climate change.
Former Senior EPA Administrator on Trump’s Environmental Moves
| Paul Caine
The proposed new Foxconn plant in Wisconsin gets an air quality exemption. We speak with a former senior EPA administrator on the impact of that move and more.
Former Fashion Photographer Finds Beauty in Nature
| Jay Shefsky
After 20 years in the fashion industry, Owen Deutsch wasn’t planning on getting back into photography. But then he discovered a new subject: birds.
DePaul Students Develop Video Games to Trigger Empathy, Understanding
| Evan Garcia
What “deep games” are and how they can provide more than entertainment. We speak with game developer Doris Rusch of the Deep Games Laboratory at DePaul’s School of Design.
Open Up! Group Pushing for Expanded Chicago Public Library Hours
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago libraries serve “a multitude of community functions” and should be open longer, says Kang Chiu of the Chicago Coalition of Library Friends.
How the ‘Formidable’ Eunice Kennedy Shriver ‘Changed the World’
| Nick Blumberg
From the Special Olympics to Congress and beyond: The new book “Eunice” explores the formidable impact of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Lori Lightfoot Launches Mayoral Campaign
| Paris Schutz
She says she offers a progressive vision for the city. Lori Lightfoot formally announces her campaign to take on Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Chicago Police Seize 100th Assault Weapon This Year
| Matt Masterson
“That just goes to show you how many illegal guns get out here on the streets of Chicago,” CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson told media Thursday.
PETA Awards CPD After Officer Saves Chicken Stuck Inside Plastic Bag
| Alex Ruppenthal
A “chicken in distress” call last month led to an unusual rescue effort in Lincoln Park – and an award for the Chicago Police Department.
Chicago Gang Officers Charged With Stealing Cash, Drugs
| Matt Masterson
A pair of Chicago Police officers allegedly paid off informants with stolen goods to obtain search warrants, and falsified police reports to cover up their actions.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: May 10-13
| Kristen Thometz
Street performers, fair trade pop-ups, tiny homes and indigenous plants usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Civic Federation Slams Rauner’s Budget Plans
| Amanda Vinicky
Stern warnings on state budget prospects from a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog.
Sizzling ‘How to Use a Knife’ Turns Up The Heat in a Restaurant Kitchen
| Hedy Weiss
Among its several honors, Will Snider’s “How to Use a Knife” was named a finalist for a PEN Center USA Literary Award. Based on this exceptional Shattered Globe production alone, it should have won the prize.
Emanuel Laps the Ever-Expanding Mayoral Field in Fundraising
| Paris Schutz
To put Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s fundraising advantage into perspective: a total of $6.6 million has been raised so far in this campaign, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform – $6.1 of it by Emanuel.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Obama Presidential Center to Soon Release More Museum Tickets for September Through January
Not Waiting for Dems, State Rep. Ugaste Proposes New Bears Bill
Steel Slag Meets Prairie at Chicago’s Marian Byrnes Park, See This Natural Wonder in an Unnatural Setting
Matt Brewer, Former Chicago Housing Authority Board Chair, Joins Mayoral Race
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter