Stories by WTTW News

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

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss Dominick’s exit from Chicago, and the roughly 5,600 employees about to get pink slips. Many of the Dominick’s stores anchor entire shopping centers. What impact will the vacancies have? And what effect will the gay marriage bill have on the next Republican primaries? Watch the web extra conversation.

Lord of the Flies at Steppenwolf Theatre, a fiber art event at Chicago Botanic Garden, and The Rascals reunite for a concert; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Illinois Senators and Mayor Emanuel are demanding the new U.S. Attorney focus on combating Chicago street crime. But will that really help-- and what about political corruption? Paris Schutz and his panel take a look.

Native American images and mascots have long been used by college and professional teams. But there's a growing push to do away with a practice some find racist. Should the Blackhawks change their name? We discuss the issue.

What is a Bitcoin? Where do they come from and how are they used? And why are more and more governments taking a careful look at this first-ever cyber currency?

For years President Obama would receive daily devotional messages on his Blackberry. They were scriptures, quotes and short stories…all words of encouragement and inspiration which the president himself said “meant the world." Now you can read some of the daily devotionals in a new book called The President’s Devotional.  The book’s author, Joshua DuBois joins us to share some of the President’s favorite scriptures, and the words of reinforcement that got the President through tough times.

Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones joins us to talk about his new book, Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater as Seen by Chicago Tribune Critics. Read excerpts from the book.

We share what you had to say about forest preserve restoration in Cook County, and the newly announced City Council Budget Office in tonight’s viewer feedback.

You get the distinct feeling that this is a band that a) wants to make up for lost time and b) has something to prove. They accomplish both in the feel-good show of the season.

Same-sex marriage passed both chambers on Tuesday in Springfield and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Quinn. State Representative Greg Harris, one of the key sponsors of the bill, joins us from the Chicago Sun-Times Springfield bureau with the latest.

Chris Hadfield’s journey from Canadian test pilot to commander of the International Space Station is a story of determination and hard work. He joins us to talk about his new autobiography,  An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. Read excerpts from the book, and watch web extra videos.

Going into the final week of the veto session in Springfield, the big ticket items on the docket were pension reform, same-sex marriage and mandatory minimums. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us with the latest details.

A restoration pioneer celebrates 30 years of working in the forest preserves. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.

Just how long have the antique-looking Chicago streetlights been burning? Geoffrey Baer reveals the age of these beauties in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review shows currently on Chicago area stages. Learn more about the plays, and watch Hedy's web extra video review.

The Illinois House narrowly approved the same-sex marriage bill that passed in the senate earlier this year. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us to with the latest.

Influential chef Charlie Trotter, whose culinary skills and eponymous Chicago restaurant became world famous, died today at the age of 54. We take a look back at his celebrated career and the impact he had on the world of fine cuisine with three chefs who trained under Trotter. Watch a web extra video from our archives.

We look at the contribution Chef Charlie Trotter made to the Chicago fine dining scene with journalist Louisa Chu, food contributor for WBEZ and host of weekly podcast, Chewing the Fat, writer David Tamarkin, media director for Chef Rick Bayless and editor of Middlewest magazine, and Chicago magazine executive editor Jennifer Tanaka.  

Chicago Transit Authority and Ventra officials promise a quick fix to the new Ventra system. How? Paris Schutz has the details.

Researchers at two local universities are looking into how poverty impacts young minds. We have the story. Learn more about the studies, and view a photo gallery.

In what turned out to be a battle of backup quarterbacks, Josh McCown and the Chicago Bears beat the Packers and secured a share of first place in the division. James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to break down the Bears improbable road win.

It’s profane to even call it “art.” Art usually inspires a viewer to think deeply. But this art wasn’t about inspiring -- it was about conspiring.

The Legislative Veto session is winding down. If something is to get done this year on the big ticket items like pension reform, marriage equality and mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun offenders, it has to happen in the next three days. Which of these will get done and which will get put off yet again? Paris Schutz has the details.

What does Chicago’s borrowing $9.8 billion over 13 years buy?  A Chicago Tribune investigation found it bought obsolete software, trash bins, flowers and dog waste bags—among other spending that’s driven up the city’s long-term debt.  We talk with the journalists who uncovered the unmonitored spending spree.

This year, for the first time in this country, more poor people live in suburbs than in American cities. Here in the Chicago region, the number of suburban poor increased 99% over the past decade. Brandis Friedman has the story of how some are confronting these challenges.