Stories by WTTW News

In communities where sports like basketball and soccer are king, a team of Chicago teens is, literally, rowing upstream through the sport of competitive rowing. We look at how the Chicago Training Center is teaching students more than just physical fitness. 

Theater and Dance Critic of the Chicago Sun-Times, Hedy Weiss reviews a new production of "Avenue Q" – plus the latest from Lookingglass Theatre and more. Learn more about the plays reviewed by Hedy and watch web extra video reviews.

Advancements in robotics technology are changing the fields of medicine, defense, and manufacturing. We talk with Rabiah Mayas about that and more. 

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we revisit a performance from the award-winning Mariachi Aztlán.

Celebrating a decade of music and dance, the Harris Theater at Millennium Park hosts a Mother’s Day tribute to Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who died 40 years ago this month.

The first official case of the deadly infection Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) surfaces in the U.S. Last week, a patient was diagnosed at Community Hospital in Munster, Ind. Elizabeth Brackett will have an update and explain more about the dangerous virus. 

The federal government released a list of 55 colleges and universities, including University of Chicago and Knox College in Illinois, that are under investigation for their handling of sexual violence and harassment complaints. We talk with a panel of experts about the issues surrounding sexual assault on campus. View a graph of on campus sex offenses for Illinois public universities.

Come July, Illinois may no longer have a poison control center. Tonight we look at the possibility of the long-standing Illinois Poison Center closing, analyze what that would mean for the state's only poison center. 

There are hundreds of yoga studios in the Chicago area. But in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side there is, as far as we know, just one.  Jay Shefsky introduces us to Marshawn Feltus, who learned yoga during his time in prison for murder and is now trying to repay the community he damaged by operating his own studio. 

Acclaimed Chicago chef, restaurateur and TV personality, Graham Elliot has lost more than 100 pounds. Brandis Friedman finds out how he did it and why. 

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the City Council’s partial ban on plastic bags, and how it will impact South and West Side neighborhoods. Also, the reporters weigh in on the city’s image as portrayed in CNN’s “Chicagoland” series.Watch the web extra video.

A fashion show, a wine tasting event and an art fair; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

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

Tyrone Power will be remembered in a double feature on the big screen. Power gets the spotlight for his starring roles in In Old Chicago and....

Two local economists weigh in on the latest gross domestic product report and what we can expect for the second quarter. The GDP continues to grow but at a snail's pace. We find out what it all means tonight. Read the full report and view a graph of the U.S. economic growth.

No one can dispute Arianna Huffington’s success in the business world. But after an accidental fall from exhaustion and lack of sleep, Huffington began asking herself – Is this really what success feels like? She shares her secrets on success. Read an excerpt of Huffington's book.

Chicago is filled with architectural gems. We sit down with Chicago Tribune’s architectural critic Blair Kamin to discuss some of the famed structures in the city and surrounding areas.

For 80 years, the Fashion Design Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been training future designers, stylists, and artists. Brandis Friedman goes behind-the-scenes for a peek at this year’s annual The WALK fashion show and fundraiser. 

Meet the filmmaker behind The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things, a documentary about inspiring women. We also see the group of women involved with the film, their journey to make the movie. Watch The Empowerment Project trailer.

We share what you had to say about the ethical practices behind CNN's Chicagoland series when we read some of our viewer feedback.

The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance regulating petcoke today. Petcoke is a coal-like substance, a byproduct of refining oil. The new ordinance does put new restrictions on the handling of petcoke, but the community says it's far from enough protection for the neighborhood. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

Plastic bag ban, pedicab drivers, digital billboards, and more, Paris Schutz has the latest on a flurry of activity by the Chicago City Council today. 

It was a center of innovation and commerce for 32 years. And then it went dark, unused for another 32 years. Starting Friday, the Tower will be opened to the public for the first time ever following a major restoration. Eddie Arruza tells us it may be worth your while to make a special trip just north of the border. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver came down hard on L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling after a recording of his racist comments were made public. We discuss Sterling's lifetime ban and more with our panel. 

Conservation biologists Curt Meine and Stanley A. Temple discuss species extinction, the importance of biodiversity, and what we can do in Chicago to help out.