Stories by Shanika Gunaratna

According to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four cardiovascular deaths – that is, 200,000 of 800,000 – are completely preventable. What more can be done to save these lives? We gather some leading experts for a frank assessment of heart disease in America. View graphs of data on heart disease.

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady has a new gig. He is going to lobby state lawmakers to pass same-sex marriage on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union. He talks about this next chapter.

A $50 million renovation and restoration project for the Illinois Capitol building is nearly complete. But are all the improvements justified given the state’s fiscal woes? We have analysis. Read the project description and historical decisions document from the architect.

The new Art Institute of Chicago exhibition, Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity, is the first of its kind to look exclusively at the ways in which the Impressionists used fashion to communicate the idea of "modern." View a slideshow and read excerpts from the fashion catalogue.

We revisit a conversation and performance with Cellist Yo-Yo Ma. View a behind-the-scenes slideshow of Yo-Yo Ma's visit to our studio and watch web extra videos.

Having laid out his case for a limited military strike in Syria, President Obama now turns to Congress to authorize his mission. What are the odds of a U.S. strike on Syria, where President al-Assad allegedly used chemical weapons last month and killed 1,400 civilians? And is this strike within American interests after more than a decade of constant war? Elizabeth Brackett and her guests discuss the uncertain path ahead. Watch web extra videos.

Gov. Pat Quinn's rapid transit task force meets for the first time to assess the area's troubled transit boards. We have the details on what task force members and the public had to say.

Republican candidates for governor State Sen. Kirk Dillard and Treasurer Dan Rutherford announce their picks for lieutenant governor. We take a look at their running mates with Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney. Learn more about their picks.

Lyme disease is on the rise across the nation and state. We talk with a panel of experts about its prevalence in the Chicago area, and how you can prevent infections. Read a fact sheet about symptoms and prevention.

We revisit a conversation with Matt Stone and Trey Parker, two of the creators of the musical: The Book of Mormon. Watch web extra interviews.

Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin died at age 84. Watch a 1988 interview with Martin from WTTW's archives.

Diana Nyad, 64, became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the assistance of a shark cage. The Lake Forest native completed the journey in about 53 hours. Watch a 1978 interview with Nyad from WTTW's archives.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Watch the web extra video.

Jazz music, a one-woman show, and a Labor Day parade; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Now that House Minority Leader Tom Cross has decided to step down, GOP members of the House need to choose a new leader. Today, they meet to start this process. In what direction might the party pivot? We chat with Amanda Vinicky, statehouse bureau chief at Illinois Public Radio and WUIS.

We talk with Rep. Brad Schneider and Rep. Bill Foster about Syria, the debt ceiling, immigration reform and more.

It’s the start of fall semester and freshmen are entering the vaulted halls of universities for the first time ever. Professor Jon Gould's new book, How to Succeed in College (While Really Trying), offers advice. Read an excerpt and a tip sheet.

We take a look at a hip-hop music program that helps kids strengthen their voice and discover the power of the written word. Read an interview.

We revisit a story about two families and the medical director at a burgeoning new clinic for kids questioning their gender at Lurie Children's Hospital. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

We revisit an inside look at one of Chicago’s most famous families. Ezekiel Emanuel, the eldest of the three brothers, talks about his new memoir: Brothers Emanuel. Read an excerpt and view a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about Metra's new interim executive director and about the 50th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington in tonight’s viewer feedback.

After the messy ouster of his predecessor, Metra's new interim executive director Donald Orseno tells us how he intends to drive the scandal-ridden commuter rail agency forward.

Where does the nation – and the city of Chicago – stand on this 50th anniversary of the March on Washington? What might Martin Luther King Jr. think of the state of racial equality in Chicago? Elizabeth Brackett and her guests discuss the past, and more importantly, the future.

Term limits on Illinois legislators are back in the news. Polls show a majority of voters favor term limits. But will they alleviate the gridlock in Springfield, bring new blood and fresh ideas to state government, and reduce the power of lobbyists and entrenched staffers? And what is the likelihood such reform could be adopted in Illinois? We take a closer look.

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?