Stories by WTTW News

We hear from two people who know Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, including Judge Abner Mikva, for whom she was a law clerk.

A federal judge has ruled that two genes, which are linked to breast and ovarian cancer, cannot be patented and has struck down the previously awarded patents. While some applaud the decision, critics say the ruling could cripple future life-saving research. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at the impact of the divisive decision. Read the court ruling (nytimes.com)

We introduce you to an important -- and often overlooked -- American artist who painted scenes of nightlife on Chicago's South Side in the 1920s and '30s.

Controversial Chicago Pastor Carlton Pearson discusses his new book, God is not a Christian, nor a Jew, Muslim, Hindu... Christ Universal Temple Watch our December 7th, 2009 story about Carlton Pearson

We meet a Chicago man who wants to change the way America thinks about table tennis. Where to play ping-pong/table tennis in Chicago

President Barack Obama has nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court. Ash-har Quraishi has reaction from Chicago's academic and legal communities.

Carol Marin sits down with the Republican candidate for governor, Bill Brady. Bill Brady campaign website

Will new work rules at McCormick Place keep conventions in Chicago? WBBM Newsradio's Kris Kridel joins us with those details, plus the rest of the week's business headlines.

Nearly every Friday for three and half years, two Chicago nuns have led a vigil at the place where undocumented immigrants are processed before being deported. Jay Shefsky was there this past Friday morning. "Deportation's Brief Adios and Prolonged Anguish"--Chicago News Cooperative

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.