Stories by Michael Lipkin

With only two weeks left until the U.S. reaches the fiscal cliff, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner have made some progress, but remain far from a final agreement. We have the latest.

In the wake of the elementary school rampage in Connecticut, the Chicago Public Schools' security chief joins us to discuss school safety here.

Wall Street tycoon, Hollywood mogul, notorious womanizer, ambassador, advisor to presidents -- and head of one of America's most prominent political families. We gain new insight into Joseph P. Kennedy.

We look into the huge appeal behind the Thorne Miniature Rooms, and discover what's new this holiday season.

While it’s no longer permissible to go behind-the-scenes of the Thorne Miniature Rooms, we got a peek back in 2002. Watch curator Rebekah Levine change a light bulb for one room in our web-extra video.

A new book attempts to bridge the gap between those who use Chicago’s longest-running food pantry and the well-off residents who live around it.

The defense for Daley nephew Richard Vanecko is furious as the judge on the case steps aside, citing ties to former Mayor Daley. Our Carol Marin has the latest on this explosive case.

Memorials, vigils and funerals were held today for some of the victims of the school shooting rampage in Connecticut. We take a closer look.

In the wake of the Newtown massacre, Gov. Quinn and Mayor Emanuel call for new gun laws in Illinois. Paris Schutz has more on where the law stands, and how it might change.

A costly interception, penalties and sacks -- all add up to another Bears loss. James "Big Cat" Williams is here to break down what went wrong against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field.

James “Big Cat” Williams offers his take on the NFL’s ruling to vacate the discipline handed down to Saints players involved in the bounty scandal.

We take you inside a very special exhibit at the Newberry Library showcasing 125 of its most prized possessions.

From Candy Cane Lane to the Christmas Tree Ship, Geoffrey Baer talks holiday traditions in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We have some of your thoughts about the manslaughter charges filed again Richard Vanecko for David Koschman's death in tonight's Viewer Mail.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue their conversation in a web extra video.

Need some ideas what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what's going on!

From the historic summer drought to today’s surprisingly mild winter, Illinois has experienced some extreme weather patterns this year. Our panel of experts dissects what this means for the future.

America's Test Kitchen host Christopher Kimball joins us with scientific secrets to better cooking. 

We continue our conversation with Christopher Kimball, including why he doesn't view cooking as creative or glamorous.

A new curator digs deep into the Museum of Contemporary Art's collection and finds a study in black-and-white.

Did the threat of disease help spur Chicago's first park? Chicago Park District's historian joins us with more. 

A new drug shows promise in the treatment of social withdrawal for people with Fragile X syndrome, and potentially for autism patients.

We hear what you had to say about the new pension bill pending in Springfield when we read some of our viewer mail.

Ald. Sandi Jackson goes back to work as the Chicago City Council takes up important measures. Paris Schutz has the latest.

The race to replace Jesse Jackson, Jr. intensifies, as two state legislators face criminal charges. Carol Marin and her political roundtable discuss the state of local politics.