Stories by Kristen Thometz

Young artists, apple pies, dashing dogs and craft beer usher in the fall weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Speaking before a group of law enforcement officials in Waukegan, the nation’s top law enforcement official pulled no punches when speaking about the police reform process taking place in Chicago.

Watch the Sept. 19, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

A jewel of a museum in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village has emphasized contemporary art for more than 40 years. We visit the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art for a look at its past – and future.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti joins Hedy Weiss in conversation.

Meet the Chicago-area native who is the songwriter behind some of pop music’s biggest hits.

In 2016, Illinois was targeted by Russian hackers who obtained private information from some 76,000 voters. How local election boards hope to ensure every vote is safe this November.

A former Chicago mayoral candidate who lost to Rahm Emanuel in 2011 is back in the race now that his former foe has withdrawn.

His name will forever be associated with police brutality in Chicago, yet he never faced criminal charges for the torture he allegedly ordered and took part in. Jon Burge died Wednesday at his home in Florida.

Jurors spent hours Wednesday staring at graphic autopsy photos and hearing explicit details about where and how each of the 16 bullets fired by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke struck the body of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. A recap from the day’s proceedings.

Since the launch of #SheddTheStraw last spring, businesses across Chicago have taken steps to eliminate their use of single-use plastic straws. Now, one of Chicago’s biggest events is getting involved.

However you describe “BigMouth,” the virtuosic, one-of-a-kind, one-man show created and performed by Valentijn Dhaenens – its impact is undeniable.

When survivors of sexual abuse share their stories, the gold medal-winning gymnast hopes everyone will “actually listen to them, hear their story and understand how common abuse is,” she said.

To help mark its 125th anniversary, the Field Museum is preparing to release a gin made in the spirit of one of the biggest events in Chicago history.

There’s a sea change happening in Chicago politics, not just with the mayor’s race, but with many of the 50 City Council races – and the results could shape the city’s future for years to come.

After the erroneous removal of two neighborhood murals, City Council is considering a proposal to protect and formally register Chicago’s public art.

Research shows transgender children benefit from early intervention, but just how young is too young? 

Watch the Sept. 18, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

New data shows Chicago residents feel either immensely optimistic or pessimistic about the city based on factors like neighborhood, race and age. We take a closer look with the authors of the poll.

For the second time in U.S. history, a Supreme Court nominee stands accused of sexual assault. What the allegations mean for Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Even after he’d been shot 16 times, Laquan McDonald still posed a threat because he held a knife in his hand. That’s what the partner of Jason Van Dyke testified during the second day of arguments in the high-profile murder trial.

The aquarium is preparing for a new – and very large – resident whose arrival is expected next summer.

Pull over to the side of the road and consider the world-ending event taking place before your eyes. That’s essentially the message conveyed by the newest piece of public art on display at Navy Pier.

They are set in different eras, and come with notably different sounds and story lines, but the three musicals now being produced on local stages share one major theme. Here’s a closer look.

Sailing is a mostly white, male sport. On the eve of the Race to Mackinac, we visit one crew that bucks both of those trends. 

An effort by FEMA to better warn U.S. residents of major emergencies and threats raises concerns about privacy and how the system could potentially be abused.