Stories by WTTW News
Illinois Attorney General: Who Will Replace Lisa Madigan?
| Amanda Vinicky
Erika Harold has a clean shot at the GOP nomination. Among Democrats, it’s a scramble. The first to officially announce a run is state state Rep. Scott Drury, who had been running for governor.
Fermilab Scientist Warns Solar Flares Could Devastate Infrastructure
| Evan Garcia
While recent hurricanes have been devastating parts of the Earth, some major activity has also been taking place at the center of our solar system.
Chicago-Area Vietnam Veterans Talk About Life After War
| WTTW News
As Ken Burns takes on Vietnam in a new 18-hour documentary, we hear from local veterans about their lives since the war.
Illinois to Participate in ‘The Great ShakeOut’ Earthquake Drill
| Alex Ruppenthal
More than 300,000 people across the state are registered for a worldwide earthquake drill next month that encourages participants to drop, cover and hold – actions that could help you survive a quake.
New Mural Brightens Lake Shore Drive Underpass
| Marc Vitali
A look at the creation of the latest mural from the Chicago Public Art Group.
Ragtime Revelations with Reginald Robinson
| Marc Vitali
Thirteen years ago, Chicago native Reginald Robinson was awarded a genius grant from the MacArthur Foundation. He joins us in discussion and performance.
Exploring Construction Boom in Chicago’s ‘Super Loop’
| Alexandra Silets
Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin on the opening of The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and more.
With Amazon in Sight, Rauner and Emanuel Political Foes No More
| Brandis Friedman
After being political foes for months, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner are back to working together for a common cause: convincing Amazon to build its second headquarters in Chicago.
A Day with a Chicago Tugboat Crew
| Jay Shefsky
Chicago Tonight spends a day with a tugboat crew moving barges on the Calumet River.
How Chicago ‘Hacktivist’ Derek Eder Uses Public Data for Good
| Evan Garcia
The man behind a weekly gathering of Chicago web developers tells us how they use their tech skills for good.
Ken Burns on ‘Vietnam War’ Series: ‘There Is No One Truth in War’
| Paris Schutz
On Sunday, “The Vietnam War,” a new 10-part documentary from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, premiered on WTTW. Burns and Novick were in Chicago last week and sat down with “Chicago Tonight” to talk about the epic work.
Potential Candidates Scramble After Lisa Madigan Announces Retirement
| Nick Blumberg
Carol Marin talks about the latest in state politics with Tina Sfondeles of the Chicago Sun-Times, Dave McKinney of WBEZ and Chicago Tonight’s Amanda Vinicky.
New Law Requires Illinois to Track Food Deserts
| Alex Ruppenthal
Research shows that hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans live in food deserts. According to a 2006 report, most of those in Chicago were made up entirely of African-American residents.
Chicago Says It Has Met 40 Percent of Paris Climate Agreement Goals
| Alex Ruppenthal
A new analysis of citywide carbon emissions data shows that Chicago is 40 percent of the way to meeting emission reduction targets set under the Paris climate deal.
#BackOffColonCancer Doctor Urges Colon Cancer Screening
| Kristen Thometz
After losing a patient to colon cancer, a local doctor strapped a sign to his back urging people to get screened for the disease. The reaction to his unusual move was instant – and widespread.
Octopuses Might Not Be Loners, Study Shows
| Alex Ruppenthal
While little is known about the typically solitary lives of octopuses, new evidence out of Australia suggests that octopuses can congregate and socialize under the right conditions.
Preckwinkle, Other Officials to Jump In Chicago River on Saturday
| Alex Ruppenthal
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and about a dozen other elected officials will take part in a fundraiser aimed at boosting efforts to improve the quality of the river’s water.
Study: Vessels that Spread Cancer Can Also Boost Immunotherapy
| Kristen Thometz
University of Chicago researchers have discovered that lymphatic vessels, which are often blamed for enabling cancer to spread, can also boost a type of cancer treatment.
The Week in Review: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich Breaks Silence
| Alexandra Silets
The battle to repeal the Cook County soda tax is prolonged. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich breaks his silence from behind bars. The hard sell for Amazon’s huge headquarters is underway. And the Cubs hang on to a division lead.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan to Step Down
Madigan will ‘seek a new challenge’ after end of 4th term
| Paris Schutz
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Friday that she will not seek another term in office in 2018, but declined to say whether or not she would run for another office.
PARCC Results Stable, Exam Likely Sticking Around
| Matt Masterson
On top of announcing its 2017 PARCC results, the Illinois State Board of Education says it plans to stick with the exam that critics have called confusing and unreliable.
Viewer Feedback: ‘I Have No Sympathy for These Leeches and Roaches’
| WTTW News
Viewers had mixed opinions about former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who granted his first prison interviews this week.
Chicago Actors Use Talents to Support Groups Threatened Under Trump
| Kristen Thometz
Actors take action by taking the stage once a month to raise money for organizations that could lose funding under the Trump administration. Meet the program’s founder and find out what’s on tap in September.
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