Stories by Kristen Thometz

Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs on Saturday

Do you have old prescription medicines in your cabinet? Safely dispose of them at drop-off sites set up by the DEA for Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Rauner, Madigan Meet for the First Time in 2017

The ringleaders of Illinois’ partisan impasse – Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan – met Thursday morning for the first time since before Christmas.

UIC Researchers to Study Link Between Binge Drinking, Heart Disease

While it’s well-known that binge drinking can pose serious health and safety risks, UIC researchers will study whether binge drinking is related to cardiovascular disease in young adults who are not predisposed to the condition.

United Reaches Settlement with Passenger Dragged Off Plane

The attorneys for Dr. David Dao have announced an “amicable settlement with United Airlines for the injuries he received in his April 9 ordeal.”

Threats to Great Lakes Topic of Summit at UIC’s Freshwater Lab

With nearly $300 million in federal funding on the chopping block, leaders from across the Great Lakes region will convene next month in Chicago to address lead poisoning, oil pipelines and other threats to the area’s waters.

CPS Aims to Simplify High School Applications With New ‘GoCPS’ Model

Chicago Public Schools is hoping to simplify its rigorous high school application process with a new plan promising to save time and limit headaches for families and students.

Chicago Celebrates Independent Bookstore Day

This Saturday, bookstores across the country will celebrate their status as indie shops, including two dozen stores across the Chicago area. “It’s like a pub crawl for bookstores,” said Lynn Mooney, co-owner of Women & Children First. 

10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 27-30

Independent bookstores, wine tastings, James Beard-inspired menus and hundreds of artists usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Chicago Teens Ponder Big Questions in Graphic Novel ‘No Small Plans’

In a new graphic novel from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, teens – past, present and future – traipse through Chicago neighborhoods to ponder some big questions, such as: What makes a community?

‘13 Reasons Why’ Raises Suicide Awareness, But Critics Are Cautious

It’s a TV show everyone is talking about, but with suicide a leading cause of death among youth, mental health experts are concerned about the message “13 Reasons Why” is sending.

North Korean Missile Test, Military Exercises Have Region on Edge

Could heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula lead to a confrontation with North Korea?

Celebrating 30 Years of Art at a Chicago Museum Without Borders

Contemporary art with Mexican roots: Celebrating 30 years at Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art.

April 26, 2017 - Full Show

Watch the April 26, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Chicago Aldermen Consider ‘Textalyzer’ to Curb Distracted Driving

New technology lets police investigate whether drivers were using their cell phones moments before an accident. Could it curb texting while driving?

Ask Geoffrey: Is North-South Divide Between Baseball Fans Real?

Many believe there is a fault line that divides Chicago, pitting brother against brother in a long-standing crosstown rivalry. But a viewer wonders if that historic boundary is a myth.

Northwestern Expert Devises Method for Quantifying Impact of Global Warming

A study co-authored by Northwestern University climate expert Daniel Horton outlines a framework for measuring the impact of global warming on extreme weather events. 

Parents, Advocates Want Details On CPS Plan For End of School Year

“This could be a critical week for the future of our schools,” CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said Wednesday at a Chicago Board of Education meeting. “Ending school early would be a tragedy for Chicago students.”

Unpacking Trump’s Tax Plan

President Donald Trump’s tax plan was formally rolled out Wednesday. As promised on the campaign trail, the plan includes several business-friendly tax measures.

Rauner Gives Illinois a Grade A

Gov. Bruce Rauner sits down with Chicago Tonight correspondent Amanda Vinicky to discuss his agenda for public schools, the state budget crisis and why he drops the “g” when he speaks.

April 25, 2017 - Full Show

Watch the April 25, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

House Passes ‘Abortion Bill,’ Puts Governor in Political Pickle

After two hours of debate this afternoon, the Illinois House passed a measure that paves the way for more taxpayer-funded abortions. The legislation allows for Medicaid recipients to use that government health insurance to cover an abortion. Likewise, for state employees.

CPS Adding New Course on History of Jon Burge Torture Cases

Chicago teachers will spend the coming weeks preparing for a new course on the history of the disgraced former Chicago Police Department commander who, for two decades, systematically abused and tortured suspects on the South Side to force confessions.

How Gubernatorial Candidate Alex Paterakis Plans to Revive the State

A long-shot candidate for governor tells us why he thinks he’s got what it takes to lead the state.

Trump Executive Order Sparks Questions Over Future of H-1B Visa Program

The debate over President Trump’s executive order on skilled foreign workers.

Museum of Science and Industry Sits Out Chicago’s Science March

According to organizers, an estimated 60,000 people attended the March for Science Chicago, making it the largest of those that took place Saturday in 400-plus cities worldwide. But some area institutions did not officially support the event.

Viewer Feedback: ‘I Want No Part of Being Annexed To Chicago’

Author Ted McClelland’s idea of annexing suburbs to Chicago to boost the city’s population had viewers talking.
 

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