Stories by Brandis Friedman

Vacant plots of land are selling for $1 in Englewood. Brandis Friedman explains why. Read an article and view a map.

Rodgers and Hammerstein hit the opera house when Lyric Opera stages The Sound of Music. We hear from two stars and get an in-studio performance of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Read an interview with the actress who plays Maria in the musical, Jenn Gambatese.

We share what you had to say about Mayor Emanuel's recently passed pension reform deal when we read some of our viewer feedback. 

As a WTTW viewer, we know you care about our community and its issues. As part of the Chicago Community Trust initiative, On the Table, 10,000 people across the region will share a meal on May 12 to discuss ideas about the future of the Chicago region. 

Rep. Mike Quigley talks with Carol Marin about the situation in Ukraine, minimum wage, the upcoming Senate election, and more. View a timeline of Rep. Quigley's career.

Could Chicago soon be home to one of the world’s largest casinos? Read an article.

Matt Taibbi is arguably one of the most influential journalists of his age. He's perhaps best known for his work covering the financial crisis as a contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine. Taibbi has a new book out called The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap. He joins us. Read an article and a book excerpt. 

Chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless stops by to share some delicious springtime dishes. Check out two recipes and view a behind-the-scenes slideshow.

Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner says he favors a different set of retirement benefits for state police and fire personnel. Read an article.

Four solo exhibitions from local artists, plus one beast of an installation.

The recently passed pension reform deal paves the way for big property tax increases. But will aldermen be able to stomach the vote to raise them, or will they defy Mayor Rahm Emanuel and scuttle his pension reform deal? We talk with Ald. John Arena (45th), Ald. Will Burns (4th), and Ald. George Cardenas (12th). 

The web bug known as Heartbleed has rocked the Internet world. After its discovery last week, Heartbleed continues to threaten personal information and sensitive data transmitted over the web daily. We chat with Alex Hilton, Founder and CEO of FroogaliT, about how the bug can affect average consumers and what people can do to protect themselves. Read an article and view a graphic.

When French President François Hollande visited Washington in February, President Obama gave him a hand-crafted table. We meet the Chicago-area craftsman who designed and built the table, made in part with wood from George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Watch a video and view a slideshow.

The craft brew industry in Chicago has exploded in the last few years and shows no signs of stopping. Is there a saturation point for Chicago’s market? We revisit a conversation with leaders on the craft brew scene and explore the growing trend. Read an article, view a slideshow, and take a craft brew QUIZ.

After a violent weekend in Chicago, Police Supt. Garry McCarthy talks about recently seized firearms and penalties for gun crimes. Brandis Friedman has the details. Read an article and watch the full news conference.

Last week, state lawmakers passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to cut retirement benefits for some city workers. Even though the bill left out a controversial property tax hike provision, Gov. Pat Quinn has yet to sign the legislation. We discuss the effect Chicago’s reform could have statewide, and other topics, with our panel of Illinois lawmakers. Read an article.

Maggie Daley Park is taking shape with the addition of white building blocks called GeoFoam. We tell you how that will form the rolling hills of the park and how soon it may be open to the public. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Scientists are forecasting that El Niño – a weather pattern that brings warmer than average temperatures to the U.S. – will likely develop later this year. We discuss what El Niño means for Chicago’s upcoming seasons with Paul Sirvatka, professor of meteorology at the College of DuPage. Read an interview.

A documentary airing on WTTW11 Monday titled The Trials of Muhammad Ali profiles the boxing legend's years in exile and court fight for freedom. Director Bill Siegel joins us. View a timeline of Ali's career.

We share what you had to say about the possibility of a Star Wars museum in Chicago and concerns that Cook County's employee computer system may have been hacked in tonight's viewer feedback.

Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn and Republican Challenger Bruce Rauner agreed on one thing at Friday’s appearance before a giant crowd of suburban and downstate teachers union members. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the ramifications of the Northwestern football team’s effort to unionize. Watch the web extra video.

Cardinal Francis George says he’s asked the Vatican to begin the process to find a successor to take over as Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. George appeared before reporters Friday morning, a few days after undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in his kidney and liver. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

ReptileFest, a women's film festival, and a fashion show; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.