Stories by Michael Lipkin

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

She was raised in war-torn Czechoslovakia, but moved up the ranks of U.S. diplomacy to the very top spot: Secretary of State. Eddie Arruza talks with Madeleine Albright.

Homegrown actress Jennifer Hudson was present for Day 8 of testimony in the trial involving the murder of three family members. WBEZ's Natalie Moore has the latest.

Is the U.S. economy built to help the working class or Wall Street? A new book by a veteran in Illinois politics and government tackles the question head-on.

Caterpillar workers strike in Joliet as a new survey of CEOs rates the Illinois business climate the third worst in the country. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

Meet the Field Museum's artist-in-residence. We get a behind-the-scenes tour of a most unusual studio environment.

A new religion census reveals the results of 236 faiths polled around the country. Which religions are growing, and which are not? We break down the numbers.

May Day protests lined the Loop on Tuesday in what could be construed as a dress rehearsal for NATO. How did the city do? Paris Schutz has the story.

Student debt threatens to cripple a generation from making it in America. We talk with Sen. Dick Durbin about this issue, and other examples of gridlock in Washington.

Chicago aldermen have a better pension deal than city police, firefighters and other city workers. We hear about these generous pensions, reported by WGN and the Chicago Tribune.  

A Chicago warehouse gives second chances to construction waste, as well as ex-offenders needing a new path in life. We visit the Rebuilding Exchange.

Olympic hero Jesse Owens is profiled in a new PBS documentary premiering Tuesday night on WTTW11. We talk with two of Jesse Owens' daughters about his remarkable life.

The editor-in-chief of Time Out Chicago tells us what restaurants, chefs and bars should be on your radar right now.

Local restaurateurs and economists raise doubts over the city's recent claims that the upcoming NATO summit will bring the city more than $128 million in revenue.

The U.S. Supreme Court sent George Ryan's case back to an appeals court today. If Ryan wins the appeal, he could be out of prison within the next six months. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

A mayoral-appointed committee outlines tough new ethics provisions. But will it really solve the issue of corruption in city government? Paris Schutz reports.

The Bulls' hopes were high going into Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. But just how far can the team go without superstar Derrick Rose? ESPN Chicago's Melissa Isaacson joins us.

Saturday Night Live and Second City alum Rachel Dratch joins us with stories from her new book.

A statue pays tribute to several policemen who lost their lives in a historic Chicago riot 126 years ago. Geoffrey Baer has more in this edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Find out about a musical instrument you've never heard of, and the local virtuoso who was a child prodigy when his family were Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Jay Shefsky has the story.

A new report by World Business Chicago and the Chicago NATO Host Committee projects big revenue gains from the May 20-21 summit.

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

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

Tough medicine on Medicaid and pension reform from Gov. Quinn. Will he get lawmakers to sign on, and will it really solve Illinois' money problems? He's here to tell us.

With the lopsided aldermanic vote approving Mayor Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust, some are wondering if the days of a rubberstamp City Council are coming back. We talk with two aldermen who strongly opposed the plan.

Yoga and meditation come to Cook County Jail's Boot Camp.