Stories by WTTW News

He's fighting obesity with his so-called "50 Million Pound Challenge." We talk to bestselling author Dr. Ian Smith.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Lawmakers are still wrangling over the state budget in Springfield; we'll take a closer look at Chicago's deadly streets and what can be done to stop the violence; a Chicago Tribune investigation finds that House Speaker Michael Madigan swayed the University of Illinois to admit relatives of political figures, political allies, and donors; sweeping work rule reforms are expected at McCormick Place; the Bulls fire head coach Vinny Del Negro; and the Blackhawks continue their Stanley Cup quest. Guests:

Carol Marin sits down with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.

We find out what state legislators were working on today in Springfield.

Stocks tumbled today on Wall Street amidst growing fears over Greece's debt problems. Eddie Arruza and his panel explore the details.

Millions of dollars in federal grants are being aimed at stemming the tide of foreclosures. We show you how some of that money is being spent in Chicago neighborhoods. For more on the story...

We preview Carol Marin's Friday Night Show interview with world-renowned scientist Jane Goodall. See Jane Goodall at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel tomorrow night

The warm weather has inspired tasty new dishes, drinks and desserts from our resident food bloggers. They join us with with some spring flavors. We asked the food bloggers to share some warm weather recipes, here's what they came up with:

What's the story behind the heavy duty scale in City Hall? Geoffrey Baer enlightens us in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey. Abacus Scales Fox Waterway Agency Immanuel Lutheran Church

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Carol Marin and her panel of journalists take a look at some of the biggest political stories, including the state budget and the election.

Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and actor Tracy Letts joins us to talk shop and to tell us about his play Killer Joe, which is playing at the Royal George Theatre through the first week in June.

We find out how -- in only a decade -- Chinese has rapidly become one of the top languages taught in the Chicago Public Schools.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Cuerdas Clasicas performs live in studio. For information about Chicago's summer programs for kids and teens

Police Superintendent Jody Weis After this weekend's failed bombing in New York's Times Square, Chicago's top cop says there are no indications of similar threats here. We talk with Police Superintendent Jody Weis about the level of Chicago's terror preparedness, and how he plans to combat the uptick in violent crime as summer approaches.

We find out how Swedish Covenant Hospital took an unusual approach to dealing with the recession, and its employees.

From Billy Sunday to Al Capone, Chicago's role in the rise and fall of Prohibition is notorious. A new book takes an even deeper look at how and why America went dry for 13 years. Eddie Arruza talks to Daniel Okrent, author of Last Call.

The working class meets the ballet class in Billy Elliot. Hedy Weiss reviews Elton John's hit musical, and two more colorful productions on the Chicago stage. Billy Elliot Eclectica The Farnsworth Invention

Lawmakers expect to pass a budget this week in Springfield. Just how will they make up the budget shortfall and what agencies will feel the pinch? Carol Marin and her panel discuss this and more. For more on the story...

United and Continental are officially birds of a feather. We talk to WBBM Newsradio's Kris Kridel about the big merger that makes Chicago-based United the largest airline company in the world.

Big news out of Argonne National Laboratory today. The U.S. Department of Energy will spend $300 million dollars to upgrade Argonne's photon source facility. We talk to the director of the facility about the new scientific discoveries being made there. Advanced Photon Source

One of Illinois' most impressive birds is making a comeback in Lake County: Blue Herons, which are once again nesting at one forest preserve. But it wouldn't have happened without local residents building the structures that attract them. Eddie Arruza tells us what some bird fanciers did to bring back the big birds. Lake County Audubon Society

What's in store for the future of fashion? The School of the Art Institute's Fashion Show is this Friday. We get a preview from the department chairman. SAIC Fashion Show 2010

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama gives a boost to the Giannoulias campaign during a visit to Illinois this week; Mayor Daley balks at the suggestion of sending in the National Guard to help police Chicago's deadly streets; United and Continental Airlines are reportedly close to striking a mega-merger deal; immigration protests are planned in Chicago and across the country this weekend; Walmart is going to meet face to face with organized labor about its proposed Chicago expansion plans; and the Blackhawks advance to the conference semifinals against the V