Stories by WTTW News

From her humble origins in segregated August, Ga., to the world’s leading opera houses, Jessye Norman recounts her extraordinary life and career in a new memoir, "Stand up Straight and Sing!" Read an excerpt from her book. 

We share what you had to say about our conversation with with Blaine Elementary principal Troy LaRaviere about his recent op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times when we read some of our viewer feedback. 

A Chinese classic play, a workout event and a food tour; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines. 

There are more court developments today in the on-going Illinois pension reform case. A Sangamon County judge stopped the reform overhaul by issuing a stay on the implementation of the law. 

If you've ever dreamed of leaving our planet to visit otherworldly destinations, it just got a bit easier to do. On May 16, Adler Planetarium is set to open its newest space adventure, “Destination Solar System." Adler President Michelle Larson joins us to talk about the new show, more. 

While the Chicago Blackhawks await their Western Conference Final opponent, we assess the team's chances of winning a second straight Stanley Cup. 

Spring has brought the Divvy bike sharing program back in a big way.  But a bankruptcy by Divvy's bike supplier has slowed expansion plans.

Find out about the far-traveling birds that visit Chicago. We have an expert from the Nature Conservancy talk about the variety of migratory birds taking flight in the city. 

A Cook County pension reform bill may be headed to Springfield. County officials say they are nearing a deal to solve the county's pension problem. Will it mean higher property taxes as well? 

We speak with Blaine Elementary principal Troy LaRaviere about his recent op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times and the overwhelming response he has received from colleagues about the Chicago Public Schools' administration and its treatment of employees.

Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times Dave McKinney joins us to discuss all the latest action in Springfield, where things stand for Gov. Quinn’s proposed budget and the latest on efforts to pass pension reform for Cook County workers.

The Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home was built in 1938 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. It was one of four sites to be designated a historic landmark this year. We tour the newly selected Lake County landmark. 

Winners of the James Beard Foundation Awards were announced last week and Chicago’s chefs, restaurants earned four top honors. Beard winners Dave Beran and Jimmy Bannos Jr., join us tonight. 

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s #OnThetable2014, Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog of the event and watch videos of what participants had to say.

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s #OnThetable2014, Chicago Tonight's Eddie Arruza hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions and hopes for the region's future. Read his blog of the event and watch videos of what participants had to say.  

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s #OnThetable2014, Chicago Tonight's Brandis Friedman hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog of the event and watch videos of what participants had to say.

They spar, make obscene gestures, and throw around insults like “egregious dog,” “counterfeit rascal” and “damned and luxurious mountain goat.”

After smoke led an Elgin radar facility to be evacuated, all inbound and outbound flights were stopped at O'Hare International and Midway airports, according to the Associated Press. 

State legislation allowing psychologists to prescribe medication drugs was approved in a House committee vote last week and now moves on to the full House for further debate. Tonight, we take a look at the controversial bill and debate the pros, cons. Learn more and read the full bill.

“The White Snake” chronicles the tale of a gentle serpent spirit who transforms herself one day into a beautiful young woman and travels down to the world of humans. So begins Mary Zimmerman’s interpretation of the classic Chinese fable into a spectacular Goodman Theatre production. See a slideshow from the play. 

Like most big cities, Chicago has a rat problem. Exterminators and local municipalities do their best to make a dent, but now there's a new approach to rodent control that is actually quite old. 

Elizabeth Brackett, Eddie Arruza and Brandis Friedman participated in the Chicago Community Trust initiative called On the Table. Last night they hosted three dinner-and-discussion forums.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis discusses her opposition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election, who she would like to see run against him, the union’s proposal for a new tax on financial transactions and much more. 

As student loan debt spirals out of control, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin pushes legislation to lower interest rates and save individual borrowers thousands.