Stories by WTTW News
"The Book of Mormon"
| WTTW News
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.
Web Extra: Remembering Leroy Martin
| WTTW News
Former Chicago Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin died at age 84. Watch a 1988 interview with Martin from WTTW's archives.
Web Extra: Diana Nyad
| WTTW News
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.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 8/30
| WTTW News
Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.
Web Extra: The Week in Review: 8/30
| WTTW News
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.
Weekend Events Around the Town: 8/30 -9/2
| Hope Holmberg
Jazz music, a one-woman show, and a Labor Day parade; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
IL Republican Party on Cusp of Change
| Shanika Gunaratna
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.
IL Reps on Syria, Immigration & More
| WTTW News
We talk with Rep. Brad Schneider and Rep. Bill Foster about Syria, the debt ceiling, immigration reform and more.
"How To Succeed In College"
| Linda Qiu
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.
Rap Class
| Hope Holmberg
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.
Children's Gender Clinic
| Alexandra Silets
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.
Growing Up Emanuel
| WTTW News
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.
Viewer Feedback: 8/29
New Metra CEO & MLK
| WTTW News
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.
Interim Metra CEO
| Paul Caine
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.
Advancing MLK’s Dream, Starting in Chicago
| Shanika Gunaratna
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.
State Legislative Term Limits in Illinois
| Alexandra Silets
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.
Bitcoin: What Is It?
| 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?
Nora Dunn
| WTTW News
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 Heat
| WTTW News
Chicago area temperatures left students and teachers hot and miserable in classrooms without air conditioning across the city. Elizabeth Brackett reports.
Syrian Conflict
| Alexandra Silets
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.
Shuttered Schools
| Christine Hurley
What's in store for the closed Chicago Public Schools buildings? The chair of a new committee shares some details about what's ahead.
Leon and Sadie Garland
| Hope Holmberg
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.
"The Internet Police"
How Crime Went Online and the Cops Followed
| Michael Lipkin
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.
Native Plant Gardens
| WTTW News
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.
First Day of School
| WTTW News
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.
Barbara Byrd-Bennett
| Christine Hurley
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to grade the first day of school.
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