Stories by WTTW News

The Chicago Teachers Union and other community organizations would like to end appointments to the Chicago Board of Education -- they want the superintendent and board members to be elected. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on their proposal and the response to their plan.

Governor Quinn reportedly wants to borrow $15 billion to bridge the state's biggest-ever budget gap. Will that only worsen Illinois' finances, and will anyone even loan the state that amount of money? Eddie Arruza and his guests weigh the options.

'Tis the Season for anxiety. We speak with an expert on behavioral science who offers suggestions on how to keep calm during the holidays. Little Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On: Twenty Lessons for Managing Worry, Anxiety, and Fear

We talk with provocative sex columnist and Chicago native Dan Savage about his life and his latest project. Listen to his talk at the Chicago Humanities Festival

Mayor Richard M. Daley has passed his father and is now Chicago's longest-serving mayor. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the Daley Dynasty, its legacy, and what it has meant to the city of Chicago.

Eddie Arruza takes a look at some new laws going into effect on January 1, 2011, including one concerning child safety seats

President Obama may be the most admired man in the country according to a new Gallup poll, but how's his presidency doing? We hear from journalist Richard Wolffe, who received exclusive access inside the Obama White House and has written a new book about the President's time in office. Find out more about the book

The Bears beat the Jets in a close one on Sunday. We look at the game and the playoff picture with Bears broadcaster and Super Bowl Bear Tom Thayer.

Feathers are flying at Chicago Animal Care and Control. We meet some of the unusual animals workers there encounter every day.

Two firefighters died and seventeen others were injured after an abandoned South Side building went up in flames this morning. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

Gourmet food trucks have taken to Chicago streets in the last year and the public has responded favorably, but some restaurant owners have a beef with them. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at a proposal that's not to everyone's taste.

We learn the amazing story of Vivian Maier, a Chicago nanny who took more than 100,000 photos during her lifetime but never showed them to anyone. Now that she's gone and her photos have been discovered, some say she may rank among the top street photographers of the 20th century. More Vivian Maier photos and information

We revisit our recent conversation with Sir Gilbert Levine about his relationship with Pope John Paul II.

What's the process moving forward as the Chicago Board of Elections gets set to rule on Rahm Emanuel's residency? Ash-har Quraishi tells us what could happen after a decision is handed down.

Illinois will lose one of its congressional seats. What does this mean for the state as it prepares to redraw its maps? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss this and much more. Proposed redistricting legislation in the Illinois General Assembly

The Bears are headed to the playoffs as the NFC Northern Division Champions. Emery Moorehead joins us on our Bears Alumni Club.

Comedian Paula Poundstone was recently in Chicago, and she talked with Eddie Arruza about her life, career and her appearances on the Chicago-based radio quiz Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

What does it mean when wine has legs? (No, it doesn't mean it's planning to run away.) Check, Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh has the real answer in tonight's edition of Ask Alpana. Bernardus Chardonnay, Monterey $20 Joseph Drouhin Meursault, France $30 General Wine and Cheese Pairing Tips:

What to buy the wife? Stand-up comic Pat McGann hits the streets for holiday shopping advice.

Illinois' newest U.S. Senator, Republican Mark Kirk, votes to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Chicago Sun-Times Washington D.C. bureau chief Lynn Sweet joins us to talk about this and other congressional actions.

The Renaissance Schools Fund wants to raise $40 million in the next five years for more charter schools, but proposals for four new charter schools were withdrawn at last week's contentious Chicago Public Schools Board meeting. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the debate over charter schools.

We learn about the newest holiday party trend -- ugly sweaters. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with that story and a recap of the year in Chicago business.

We talk with the director of the new and provocative PBS documentary The Calling, which looks at lives of people who become spiritual leaders.

We enter the humorous world of Chicagoan Nicole Hollander, creator of the comic strip Sylvia. Bad Girl Chats with Sylvia and Nicole

Enjoy a special holiday performance from members of the acclaimed Chicago Symphony Chorus.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review hosted by Phil Ponce: Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel spent almost 12 hours testifying at a hearing to determine whether he can stay on the February ballot, and the questioning ranged from the serious to the comical. His tenant contradicted some of Emanuel's testimony about the possessions the family left behind. And in a strange twist, Emanuel's real estate broker testified that the tenants demanded $100,000 to vacate the house.