Stories by WTTW News

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is taking the residue of human waste from their water filtration process and transforming into a powerful soil additive/fertilizer that is used in parks, golf courses, and farms throughout the area.

Chief meteorologist at WGN Tom Skilling co-authored an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune regarding climate change and the potential effects of inaction. We discuss the issue with him tonight. 

Shark Week is back. We discuss our continuing fascination with the ocean's top predator with shark expert Lise Watson of the Shedd Aquarium.

The annual Chicago Korean Festival, a bubble workshop for children, and a celebration of Japanese culture; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the upcoming mayoral race, and whether potential candidates Karen Lewis and Alderman Bob Fioretti pose a real challenge to Rahm Emanuel.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists recap this week's headlines.

Many black Chicago homeowners were forced to purchase their homes on contract in the ‘60s. Eventually, homeowners in North Lawndale banded together and fought back against buying on contract.  

Karen Lewis stops by to discuss her political future and more. 

We take a look at a little-known piece of Chicago's real estate history: the Contract Buyers League. 

The author of the upcoming book, "The Mockingbird Next Door," details her friendship with Harper Lee, the reclusive author of the classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."

A new Science & Symphony production is premiering at the Grant Park Music Festival. It's a musical and visual journey through the Northern Lights.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

The City Council’s watchdog says he will run out of money to investigate aldermen within the next two weeks. Paris Schutz has the latest in the ongoing heated debate over who polices aldermen.

After an eight-year legal battle, the City of Chicago has finally released data on which police officers have amassed the most complaints. We talk to the journalist whose lawsuit finally forced disclosure and the President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

After a 10 year, 4 billion mile long journey, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft made history today as the first spacecraft to go into orbit around a comet.

The discovery of a tiny cricket in a 20-million-year-old piece of amber that was found in the Dominican Republic more than 50 years ago offers new views into an ancient environment and how it once thrived.  

In an age of polarization and a divided Congress, many are calling for compromise. But in a new book, constitutional law professor Richard Weisberg details how flexibility and compromise have harmed the human race throughout history.

Why is there a trout among the trees alongside Golf Road? Geoffrey Baer tells the story of the one that got away and answers other viewer questions in tonight’s Ask Geoffrey.

The city releases its 2015 budget forecast with a relatively manageable deficit, assuming the city gets pension reform. But what happens if it doesn't? Paris Schutz has the details.  

A new investigation by the Better Government Association details pension problems experienced by dozens of suburban police and fire pension funds. BGA’s senior investigator Andrew Schroedter joins Chicago Tonight with more on the story. 

After being spun off from the broadcast arm, Tribune Publishing Co. debuts on the New York Stock Exchange but its first day of performance is not great.

A Chicago artist continues to make an impression on the city more than 25 years after he died. You may not know his name but you’ve likely seen his public art. Egon Weiner was also a teacher, and his prominent students continue his legacy. 

Chicago filmmakers and brothers Jarrell and Jerome Lucas’ first major project aims to tell the stories of the city's infamous bucket drummers.

Jeanne Nolan spends time in Chicago Tonight’s organic vegetable garden and talks garden tips with Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight. 

Diane Lanitker opened her home to help Roseland youth to provide them a safe haven from violence. Since Kids Off the Block’s founding in 2003, the organization has expanded beyond the walls of Lanitker’s home as word spread among local youth that there was a woman who would help them.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford pleads guilty to lesser charges after prosecutors drop 17 felony bank fraud charges. Carol Marin has the latest.