Stories by Michael Lipkin

The superhero movie, The Avengers, is breaking box office records. We get a behind-the-scenes look at Chicago's own superhero of the comic book industry: artist Alex Ross.

Sen. Mark Kirk released a YouTube video on Tuesday showing clips of his physical rehabilitation program and recovery following a stroke he suffered in January.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel takes his pension reform plan to Springfield, urging lawmakers to make tough changes regarding city employee pensions. We talk with Chicago's City Treasurer about the proposal.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis joins us to talk about a possible teachers' strike, pensions, longer school days and school reform.

The alderman whose ward includes Wrigley Field puts his foot down on the proposed renovation of Wrigley Field. We have the latest.

A rock from the fireball that caused a sonic boom as it fell in Nevada last month will join the Field Museum's meteorite collection on Tuesday. 

We meet Chicago artist Nick Cave, and see his work: part sculpture, part costume, melding art, dance and fashion.

Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author Anna Quindlen shares her thoughts about aging in her memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake.

A large chunk of Lake Shore Drive will be closed for three days. Minor inconvenience? We have the latest on NATO security plans and the expected fallout with two weeks to go until NATO.

We take a look back at Rahm Emanuel's first year as Chicago mayor.

Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations joins us to discuss his country's efforts to curb political infighting.

A former All-American wrestler turned suburban wrestling coach must tell his students that he now faces his toughest match.

A unique building was one of several Chicago landmarks featured in a 1950 film. The movie starred a young actor who later became a screen legend. Geoffrey Baer has more in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We asked what you thought about contract negotiations between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union. We read what some of you had to say in Viewer Mail.

After months of waiting, the Secret Service released portions of its security plan in early May, detailing highway and street closures for the weekend of the summit. Check out our map below for what streets to avoid, where you can't park, and what major protests are planned. 

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

The Secret Service's plan will close down Museum Campus, and parts of Lake Shore Drive, during the NATO summit.

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

All three museums on Museum Campus will be closed Sunday May 20 during the NATO summit, according to staff members at the museums. 

We talk with Chicago aldermen about NATO, the mayor's ethics plan, aldermanic pensions and more.

With a ballooning budget deficit, angry teachers and some top administrators leaving, Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard has a lot on his plate. We talk with him about what he's facing.

Children's Memorial Hospital gets a new name and is set to move into a brand new $900 million home in Streeterville. We get a sneak peek inside the state-of-the-art facility.

We show you how researchers are tracking cancer rates in the endangered Mexican Gray Wolf in tonight's Scientific Chicago.

How a high-brow literary editor found himself slicing deli meat and selling lottery tickets at a convienence store with his Korean mother-in-law. We hear from the author of this comical memoir.

Art conservator Barry Bauman discovers fraudulence in a 19th century portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln. We shine a light on his detective work.

Bradley Hamm, current dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism, will replace John Lavine as Medill's dean.