Stories by WTTW News

Had you even heard the term "thundersnow" before last week's blizzard? University of Chicago Paleontologist, author Neil Shubin joins us to talk about that phenomenon. Jay Shefsky has the story. National Geographic explains a thundersnow

What's it like to be a soccer mom with a global conscience? Author Shayne Moore shares insight from her book: Global Soccer Mom. Shayne Moore's website

T-minus six days until the most romantic day of the year. Are you ready? If not, don't start stressing just yet. "Check Please" Host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh is here with Valentine's Day wine and beer picks.

Eight times a week, heavyweights at the Steppenwolf Theatre clash over the question: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" On the Art Beat, Chicago Tonight looks at the art of war, as engaged by a husband and wife named George and Martha. Steppenwolf Theatre online

Elected leaders' budgets are being unveiled this week in response to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's mandate to curb spending. And some of the cuts aren't pretty. We have Preckwinkle and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart here to discuss the budget crisis and more.

She's been making headlines with her campaign for mayor. We talk to Carol Moseley Braun about the hard-fought race. Braun on Chicago Tonight's 'Meet the Candidates' page Braun's campaign page

Find out how the negative response to Groupon's Super Bowl ad featuring Tibet will impact the Chicago company. Kris Kridel, of WBBM Newsradio 780, joins us to look at the week in business. CNN article about the ad

A new web-based program has been designed to help commuters make their train on time. Nick Shields has the story. Train Tracker beta page

She helped make Second City an internationally known cultural institution. Long-time Second City producer Joyce Sloane died last week, at the age of 80. We revisit her 2005 appearance on Chicago Tonight. Sloane's Second City biography

We share recent comments and feedback from our Chicago Tonight viewers.

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, the Blizzard of 2011 takes Chicago by storm, absolutely paralyzing the city. The third largest blizzard ever caused complete chaos on Lake Shore Drive, with hundreds of stranded drivers and abandoned cars. As the city continues to dig out, some blame city officials for not shutting down the historic thoroughfare sooner. Meanwhile, the mayoral race turns nasty with Carol Moseley Braun accusing opponent Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins of being a crack addict -- then apologizing to her opponent.

Perhaps you're wondering when the city will clear your street. We take a look at how the city's removing snow on the side streets. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on the city's continuing efforts to clean up the mess left behind by the Blizzard of 2011. Watch Elizabeth Brackett's blizzard home video

Where did all these cars go overnight? We show you how the great Lake Shore Drive "car rescue" effort is working. Paris Schutz tells that story. Locate your stranded car

From the inside of a car on Lake Shore Drive, to a nearly naked romp in the snow; we look at YouTube to see how people across the region captured the blizzard on home video. Your blizzard videos

Northwestern University is launching the Knight News Innovation Laboratory here. Using a combination of journalism and computer science, this new initiative hopes to improve the way stories like the Blizzard of 2011 are reported. Chicago Tribune story about Knight Innovation Lab

The second part in our series about a historic Chicago snowstorm, featuring harrowing tales of some expectant mothers and the troubling side of the decades-old blizzard.

We share thoughts and comments from our Chicago Tonight viewers.

The blizzard's whiteout conditions are slamming Chicago commuters. The meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service's Chicago bureau gives us the latest on what is being labeled a potentially "life-threatening" blizzard. National Weather Service: Chicago

As the massive snowstorm hits Chicago, the city says it is prepared. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest storm details.

It may be the most contentious moment so far of the Chicago mayoral campaign, and now one candidate has apologized to another. Eddie Arruza tells us how Carol Moseley Braun is trying to recover after she accused another candidate of being "strung out on crack."

Will the city shut down because of the snow? Ash-har Quraishi has the latest on weather-related cancellations and closings. Chicago Emergency Closings

Find out how the blizzard is going to impact Chicago companies when Kris Kridel, of WBBM Newsradio 780, joins us to look at the week in business.

We meet a Chicago artist who helps people transform their old tattoos and scars, and sometimes even their lives. Jay Shefsky reports. Read more on the story Sacred Transformations website

The massive 2011 snowstorm has sparked comparisons to what many remember as the greatest storm of all: the famed blizzard of 1967. A few years ago, the late John Callaway brought us this remembrance of that historic event.

Today marks a historic moment for Illinois, as Gov. Pat Quinn signs into law a bill that offers same-sex partners similar rights as those granted to married couples. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.