Stories by WTTW News

The Chicago Teachers Union promises to launch a political campaign to defeat Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

Bud Herseth, the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeter, died Saturday at 91. We revisit our 2004 conversation with Herseth -- as well as John Callaway's 1978 conversation with prima ballerina Maria Tallchief -- who died last week as well.

Cupcake Wars champ and baked goods maven Hollis Wilder shares her secrets to cupcake perfection.

The world’s first Mariachi opera is being performed by Lyric Opera of Chicago. We hear from Lyric’s General Director, Anthony Freud -- who commissioned the work -- and hear some selections from the opera that is taking Chicago’s Latino community by storm.

Legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeter Adolph "Bud" Herseth died Saturday at 91. We revisit our 2004 conversation with Herseth.

Maria Tallchief, American prima ballerina and Chicagoan, has died at 88. We take a look back at her 1978 conversation with John Callaway, and Callaway’s 2007 “Chicago Stories” profile of Tallchief.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into transportation issues impacting Chicago: O’Hare’s abysmal rating for February, increased digital advertising at O’Hare, and a new streamlined rental car system at Midway.

Reptile Fest, the Chicago Critics Film Festival, and wine and beer aplenty. Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

A group of Democratic ward bosses pick a replacement for convicted former Cook County Commissioner William Beavers. Spoiler alert: it wasn't Todd Stroger. Paris Schutz has more on who it is, and why the choice is raising eyebrows.

We meet two families and the medical director at a burgeoning new clinic for kids questioning their gender at Lurie Children's Hospital.

A new art show turns back the clock 100 years for a look at the historic Armory Show -- the art exhibition that shocked Chicago.

Could a better helmet hold the key to reducing the epidemic of sports-related brain injuries? Ash-har Quraishi talks with a team of university researchers who say it’s time for a new design. We revisit the story.

The writer, performer and comedian of “Saturday Night Live” fame joins us to discuss her new book, “If It’s Not You, It’s Your Mother.”

We get a sneak peek of some slithery, scaly creatures from Reptile Fest.

We share some of your thoughts about school safety in tonight’s Viewer Feedback.

First Lady Michelle Obama makes an impassioned plea to Chicago business leaders to help solve the problem of youth violence here. Paris Schutz has the story.

President Obama proposed a $3.77 trillion budget for 2014 that would cut deficits by $1.8 trillion over the next decade. Eddie Arruza and his guests gauge market reaction to the potential cuts.

Former Reagan budget director David Stockman says the Federal Reserve's perennially low interest rates and the move away from the gold standard have put America on the path to financial ruin. He joins us.

Former congressman and Reagan budget director David Stockman sits down with John Callaway in 1986. 

Hundreds of layoffs; Boeing plans a $1 billion expansion; Chicago’s old main post office could become a 21st century urban hub; and the end of an era for Sears. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss this week's top business headlines.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and landmine activist Jody Williams joins us to talk about her work.

Once there were dozens of men's hatmakers in Chicago. Today, there is only one. Jay Shefsky takes us inside Optimo Hats.

Chicago Public School officials and principals say the Safe Passage program has improved the safety of students passing through dangerous gang turf on their way to school. But with school closings on the horizon, we examine the potential effects these closings could have on the safety of kids traveling to and from school.

View an interactive map of Chicago Public Schools that currently have Safe Passage programs in place.

We hear the latest plans for School Safety in the wake of CPS closings. Visit our Safe Passage story for web-exclusive videos and a detailed slideshow about the program, read a Q&A with CTU President Karen Lewis, view a map of closing and receiving schools, and a timeline of CPS closures. Read a recap of our live online chat.