Stories by Eddie Arruza

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?

Actress, comedian, and Saturday Night Live veteran Nora Dunn returns to the Chicago stage with Mythical Proportions, a one-woman, multi-character show that reflects on her Chicago upbringing and her up-and-down journey through show business. Watch video clips from Dunn's show and a web extra conversation.

Chicago area temperatures left students and teachers hot and miserable in classrooms without air conditioning across the city. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

The U.S. and its allies are gearing up for a military response against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of large-scale chemical weapons against his own people in Syria’s ongoing civil war. We take a closer look at the escalating tensions.

What's in store for the closed Chicago Public Schools buildings? The chair of a new committee shares some details about what's ahead.

We look at a pair of artists who met, married and lived at Jane Addams’ Hull House during the Depression era. Their works are currently on view at the Koehnline Museum on the campus of Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Read an interview and view a slideshow.

We take a look at the new criminals of the internet age -- and the technology police use to catch them. Read an excerpt from The Internet Police: How Crime Went Online and the Cops Followed.

Dennis Paige brought native Illinois prairie plants to his suburban condo development. They're not just beautiful; experts say native plant gardens are great for the environment. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile.

It's the first day of school for most Chicago Public Schools students. Elizabeth Brackett has more on the impact of nearly 50 school closings and the effectiveness of Safe Passage.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to grade the first day of school.

We take a closer look at the new-look Chicago Public Schools with Andrea Zopp, a Chicago Board of Education member who voted to shutter 49 schools, the former interim CPS CEO Terry Mazany, as well as Wendy Katten of Raise Your Hand, and Jitu Brown of Journey for Justice.

Dan Parizek is a “Honeybee Rescuer." If you’ve got a beehive in the walls of your home, Dan will relocate it so it won’t be destroyed by an exterminator. With Colony Collapse Disorder destroying some 10 million beehives since 2007, Dan and others say we can’t afford to lose any more hives. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an article, watch a web extra video, and learn more about Colony Collapse Disorder from local scientists.

Dr. Corrie Moreau, Assistant Curator of Insects at the Field Museum and Karen Kramer Wilson, Living Invertebrate Specialist at The Chicago Academy of Sciences and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, share their thoughts on the impact of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.

In Expecting Better, University of Chicago economics professor Emily Oster argues that much of the conventional wisdom about pregnancy isn’t supported by data. She joins us to pinpoint the most egregious myths. Read an excerpt.

We share what you had to say about McCormick Place expansion, the RTA audit of the recent severance package given to ousted Metra CEO Alex Clifford, and the recent indictment of the former Chicago comptroller for bribery and money laundering 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 discuss the challenges Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces trying to win back voters amid the Chicago Public Schools' budget crisis, massive school closings, and rampant gang violence. Watch the web extra video.

Sculptures in Grant Park, a craft exposition, and lots of dancing; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Chicago Public Schools students are headed back to school on Monday following the closing of nearly 50 schools and the introduction of new safe passage routes. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Nadav Shoked, Assistant Professor of Law at Northwestern University, and Tina Feldstein, President of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, join us to discuss the pros and cons surrounding the city’s controversial plan to expand McCormick Place with a 10,000 seat arena for DePaul University’s basketball team, as well as adding two hotels. 

How much is a CEO worth? Matt Kiefer, Associate Research Director for Crain’s Chicago Business, joins us to take a look at the paychecks some Chicago-area CEOs are taking home and how they compare nationwide.

Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Shannon is back in Chicago, performing in Simpatico at A Red Orchid Theatre. He joins us to chat about the Sam Shepard play, Boardwalk Empire, and what’s next. Read an interview with the Simpatico director, view a slideshow, and watch videos.

After 40 years of offering live models for professional and amateur artists to draw or paint, The Drawing Workshop in Ravenswood is now in jeopardy of closing due to the retirement of its founder, George Sotos. We have the story. View a slideshow and read an interview.

This month, Karsyn Terry took fourth place in a national, 14-and-under pool tournament. In the 24 years that this tournament has existed, Karsyn is the first African American to make the finals. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. Read an article.

Renowned jazz pianist and composer Marian McPartland died on Tuesday, August 20, at age 95. She was a pioneer for women in the field of jazz and became a popular and enthusiastic exponent of the genre all her life. Watch a web extra video of Marian McPartland and Rosemary Clooney in an unforgettable rendition of the Gershwin classic, “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

Chicago Tonight first learned that Alex Clifford would like his old job back at Metra, and his lawyer says that giving it to him is the only way to undo the controversial severance package that is now estimated to pay him close to $900,000.