Stories by WTTW News

Will the Cornell Square Park shooting be the catalyst for Springfield to toughen Illinois gun laws? Paris Schutz has the latest on what Mayor Rahm Emanuel had to say.

The Environmental Protection Agency sampled a small number of Chicago homes and found higher levels of lead where water pipes were disturbed by street work and plumbing repairs. We have analysis. Read the EPA study.

Alan Dixon talks about 40 years of public service in his new book, The Gentleman from Illinois. Read an excerpt and watch web extra interviews with Dixon from WTTW's archives.

It’s the world’s most powerful digital camera and it sits atop the Blanco telescope in the Andes Mountains of Chile. But it was constructed on the campus of Fermilab in far west suburban Batavia. The Dark Energy Camera officially began its work on August 31 and has already captured some amazing images of outer space. Its real mission, though, is to help scientists figure out if so-called Dark Energy is responsible for the universe’s accelerating expansion. We learn how the camera is helping scientists unravel one of the greatest mysteries in the cosmos. Watch videos and view a slideshow.

Randall Wells, one of the world’s leading dolphin researchers, joins us to discuss the longest-running study of a wild dolphin population and his commitment to conservation. Read an interview and view a slideshow.

Chicago Tonight Correspondent Elizabeth Brackett is currently in Nairobi, not far from Westgate Shopping Mall, the site of a terrorist attack launched by Islamic radicals that killed dozens of shoppers and injured more than 170 people. Watch web extra interviews.

Looking back at a couple of influential dancers, and looking ahead to a weekend dance concert.

Still gathering stories on Janis Joplin's final Chicago-area performance...

Four suspects are in custody for the mass shooting in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Paris Schutz has the latest.

We take a closer look at what happened the night of the Back of the Yards mass park shooting, and examine Chicago's persistent violence, with Felicia Davis, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's deputy chief of staff, and Chicago Tribune reporter Peter Nickeas.

Just months after closing 47 Chicago schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build or expand other schools has drawn fresh outrage from teachers and parents. Phil Ponce talks with Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz about the issue.

Though the historical handshake between President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani didn’t happen at the United Nations luncheon today, there’s already speculation another opportunity may be on its way, and relations between the two countries could continue to thaw. We talk with Middle Eastern political expert, Marvin Zonis. View a timeline of U.S. and Iranian diplomatic relations.

At half an acre, the rooftop garden atop McCormick Place West is the largest in the entire region. We revisit the backstory behind this little-known space. Read an article.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice brought the Prairie School of Architecture to Europe. We take a look at the innovations of architect Barry Byrne with Vincent Michael, the author of The Architecture of Barry Byrne. Read a book excerpt and view a slideshow.

Another look at a truly unusual performance by Eric Clapton -- with additional photos.

All eyes are on the U.S. Senate as a potential government shutdown looms. Paris Schutz has more on what Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois members of Congress are planning to do.

Police are questioning people of interest in the shooting rampage that left 13 people injured in a south side park. We have the latest on what's become another Chicago violence story making international headlines.

In recent remarks, Pope Francis says the Roman Catholic Church has become “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception.

The Bears pound Pittsburgh in primetime to remain undefeated. James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his weekly post-game analysis. Watch a web extra video.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority approved the design of the DePaul University basketball arena today. We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin about the $173 million project, as well as his take on the controversial $51 million Illinois Capitol renovation project in Springfield. View a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about the CTA's new Ventra fare card payment system and on new options available for flu vaccines in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue their conversation about Chicago gun crimes by asking whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel needs to change his personal way of handling the issue. And, are there are other strategies that haven’t been tried to curb the violence? Watch the web extra video.

Run for Science, Apple Fest and contemporary artwork; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

RIC Blackhawks schedule: Blackhawks Travel Squad: October 25 – 27: Denver, CO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #1 November 21 – 24: Pittsburg, PA NHL Sled Classic January 3 – 5: St. Louis, MO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #2 February 7 – 9: San Antonio, TX  Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #3 March 7 – 9: Chicago, IL Midwest Sled Hockey Championship “Wirtz Cup” April 10 – 13: Marlborough, MA USA Disabled Hockey Festival “National Championships”

Northwestern University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art will be closed for the remainder of the calendar year.