Stories by Yasmin Rammohan

Millions of Americans are likely to see their payroll taxes go up in January. We hear from both Illinois U.S. senators about the prospects for a deal.

The Chicago Sun-Times is being sold again -- the second time in three years. We hear why some local investors are taking a chance on the 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winning paper chain.

Billionaire Sam Zell is just the latest to sue former Tribune Company shareholders in an effort to claw back more than $2.5 billion. We speak with a bankruptcy expert to see if this can actually happen.

Suburban poverty has exploded over the last 10 years. Census data now shows there are more poor people in the suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area than in the city. Elizabeth Brackett looks at what that means for the newly poor, and for the public and private agencies trying to meet their rising needs.

Arguably one of the greatest engineering feats in history took place in Chicago. Over 100 years ago, the flow of the Chicago River was reversed. We talk with two authors who collected 22,000 photographs documenting the event.

We take a look at a small press in Champaign, Illinois that publishes everyone from Herman Melville to Aldous Huxley, and brings modern European fiction to the USA in Arts Across Illinois.

We speak with two of Chicago's financial leaders -- the city budget director and comptroller -- about how they've overachieved their budget, and what's next for Chicago in 2012.

It's increasingly becoming the new doctor's office -- but without doctors. They are health clinics at retail stores. Eddie Arruza tells us why more people with everyday illnesses are opting to go to their local drugstore or big box chain for treatment.

A Chicago organization aims to dispel misperceptions about Islam and its followers through the power of television. Ash-har Quraishi talks to the organizers and shows us their plan.

Why do we gossip? And why are celebrities so much fun to talk about? We chat with the author of a new book that focuses on our love to gossip.

Chicago's Union Stockyards closed 40 years ago after handling more than a billion animals. We have some never-before-seen footage and interviews with workers on the last day.

Check Please! Host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh joins us to talk about low-calorie holiday drinks, cost-effective champagne and hard ciders in Ask Alpana.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to avoid the kind of clashes with protesters that occurred at past G-8 and NATO Summits. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at the benefits and possible problems that await the city in May.

Does the new Inspector General of the Chicago City Council have the ability to fulfill his job description? We talk with the man himself to discuss the future of his new position.

Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss the year's top business stories, including the protracted battle over corporate tax breaks.

The Bears' nosedive is complete after a punishing loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On our Bears Alumni Club, 1985 Super Bowl Bear Otis Wilson joins us, with all the lowlights and where the Bears go from here.

He's everywhere these days, taking requests and sitting for pictures, but being Santa Claus requires more than a big belly and a red suit. Eddie Arruza pays his own visit to the City of Chicago's Santa Claus and reports on some insider secrets.

Last week, we reported on an obscure state law that makes it a felony to make an audio recording of police actitivies without their consent. We asked what you think of the "eavesdropping" law. We read what some of you had to say in Viewer Mail.

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

A new federal grant aimed at speeding up travel time between Chicago's downtown and O'Hare airport was announced on Thursday. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

Ever think of pressing record on that Blackberry or smartphone? Thanks to an obscure state law, you could be committing a felony, punishable by several years in prison. Paris Schutz has the story.

We hear about Steve Kerr's combative relationship with Michael Jordan; plus behind-the-scenes stories about Tiger Woods, Bob Knight and more when we talk with prolific sports author, John Feinstein.

After years in storage, a hand sculpture was recently installed in a new location. Geoffrey Baer tells us about the hands, and their connection to an important figure in Chicago history in Ask Geoffrey.

A song-and-dance number on how miserable it is to be a Cubs fan? Sounds like the work of The Second City! We find out about its latest show, The Second City's History of Chicago, and its brand new comedy club.

After months of acrimony and racial undertones, a powerful alderman says there is consensus on a plan to redraw the city's 50 wards. Paris Schutz has the latest on that, and other news from an action-packed day at Chicago City Council.

Will Rod Blagojevich spend his 14-year sentence behind bars in a Colorado federal prison? That's what his lawyers want. Elizabeth Brackett talks with a prison consultant, who is a former federal inmate himself. He tells us about his experience.