Stories by WTTW News

At an appearance at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on Monday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina said President Obama should have pushed ahead with military strikes in Syria to send President Bashar al-Assad and other dictators an important signal. Paris Schutz has the details.

1969 was a pivotal point in Eric Clapton's career. Cream had broken up the previous year, and the 24-year-old Clapton was now part of the super-group Blind Faith, which would dissolve within months. But not before Clapton did a surprise show in Skokie, Illinois.

Carol Marin and her panel of political reporters and observers discuss the Illinois governor's race, pensions, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's relationship with the black community, and more.

A fired-up Chicago Bears team takes down the Minnesota Vikings. James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his perspective on yet another fourth quarter comeback. Watch a web extra video.

Mark your calendars for October 17 to witness a painting that is as gruesome as it is great.

With two weeks to go before the October launch of the online health insurance marketplace, confusion abounds over the realities of ObamaCare. Julie Hamos, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Cristal Thomas, Deputy Governor for Public Policy, explain the new health care law and the state's insurance marketplace exchange.

Northwestern University launches its first Massive Online Training Course, or MOOC. Professor Owen Youngman's course -- Understanding Media by Understanding Google -- kicks off on Sept. 16. He joins us to talk about the MOOC, and about this controversial trend in higher education.

Welcome to Artbeat, Chicago Tonight’s blog on arts & culture. It’s a privilege to be the curator and share my enthusiasms, but this is a two-way street: help me out, and I’ll return the favor.

We share what you had to say about Russian President Vladimir Putin's open letter to American readers in The New York Times urging "caution" in Syria in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

In this week’s web extra segment, Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists dive deeper into the Jon Burge police torture case. How did Burge’s actions increase mistrust of the police? And what about the “no-snitch” culture both on the street and on the police force? Charles Thomas says that while there aren’t necessarily more bad cops than bad journalists, the “no-snitch” culture has to change. Watch the web extra video.

Oktoberfest, model sailboats, and a Day of the Dead exhibit; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Newer suburban theaters may attract more critical attention, but if slow-and-steady wins the race, The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS), established in 1929, slaughters the competition. This year, they celebrate their 85th season and 500th production with a solid staging of Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut's mordant tale of a World War 2 veteran "unstuck in time."

The president of Russia writes an open letter to American readers in The New York Times urging "caution" in Syria. Eddie Arruza and his guests have analysis. Read Putin's full Op-Ed.

A new carnivorous mammal is now on display at The Field Museum. Described as a cross between a cat and a teddy bear, the Olinguito was part of the museum's collection for decades. Bill Stanley, the Field's mammals collections manager, brings the specimen to our studios. Watch Emily Graslie's "The Brain Scoop" video about the Olinguito.

We get a backstage tour of the newest theater in town – the architecturally significant Theatre School of DePaul University. Read an interview and view a photo gallery.

More than 7 billion people inhabit the earth today, consuming huge amounts of natural resources and altering the face of our planet. When we exceed the current global population, then what? Author Stephen Emmott joins us to discuss his new book, 10 Billion. View graphics of global natural resource consumption.

You might remember her as the devilish Vera on Downton Abbey. But Irish singer, songwriter, and actress Maria Doyle Kennedy also has a heavenly singing voice. We revisit a conversation and performance with Kennedy.

We share what you had to say about a controversial plan that would cut down 14 acres of trees along the Chicago River near Horner Park in Ald. Deborah Mell's ward to save the river's west bank from erosion in tonight’s viewer feedback.

A new law passes requiring buildings to report their energy uses. Some aldermen warn it will cost condo owners big on their assessments. Paris Schutz has the details on that, and more news from today's Chicago City Council meeting. Read the news release.

President Obama addressed the nation Tuesday night to discuss the situation in Syria. Carol Marin and her guests discuss the president's speech and the possibility of a diplomatic solution. Watch the full speech and read the president's remarks.

Retired Lt. Col. Ryan Yantis is a decorated survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. In 2001, he was a Public Affairs Officer on duty at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the building. He joins us 12 years after that fateful day.

One in 20 U.S. children are severely obese, and the numbers are rising while treatment remains limited. What does this newly defined class risk mean? A panel of medical experts joins us to discuss.

Your coupon cutting days could be over with mobile coupon and daily deal apps revolutionizing how consumers save money. Our panel analyzes the mobile couponing trend and shares tips on the hottest coupon apps. Read 10 tips for a novice couponer.

We revisit a story about a Chicago artist who has been painting since the 1940s and is just now getting his due.

President Obama will address the nation about his plans to respond to the situation in Syria on Tuesday night. Our panel has a preview.