Stories by Marc Vitali

A conversation with “Hoop Dreams” director Steve James, who tackles an ambitious series about racial disparity in a Chicago-area high school.

A revelatory, brilliantly acted revival of August Wilson’s play is currently on stage at Court Theatre, under the direction of Ron OJ Parson.

The completely blind amphibians, found in Texas, are a translucent white color with bright red gills. Brookfield Zoo is one of just three North American institutions to host the rare creatures.

Chicago has become the seventh city in the world to receive top-level certification for its sustainability efforts focused on green buildings.

Attorneys for the Chicago police officer charged with murder have asked for the entire 200-person jury pool to be stricken due to their exposure to protesters carrying signs urging them to “convict Jason Van Dyke.”

East meets West in an art show that began with a collection of photos found at an estate sale 27 years ago.

The Wall Street Journal recently examined email and text anxiety caused by the “tyranny of the exclamation point.” We discuss the punctuation phenomenon.

New guidelines recommend youth who have experienced a concussion return to non-sports activities sooner than previously advised because it can aid in the recovery process.

In a fervid speech, former President Barack Obama accuses his successor and GOP elites of appealing to tribalism and fear “because it helps them maintain the status quo and keep their power and their privilege.”

A shocker from Mayor Rahm Emanuel as a flood of candidates consider a run. The mayor leaves plenty of unfinished business for his successor while Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial gets underway.

Reporter Mary Ann Ahern describes some of the backlash she received from Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich in response to a NBC 5 Chicago segment.

Chicago’s bag tax has resulted in a decrease in the use of disposable bags since taking effect early last year, but a majority of shoppers still use at least one disposable bag per trip, a new study shows.

Watch the Sept. 6, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

The city and state reach agreement on a plan to track instances in which Chicago police officers point a gun at someone. But not everyone’s happy about it.

Now that the mayor is out of the race, Chicago aldermen talk about what that could mean for the coming months – and beyond. 

Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke will not spend more time in jail for giving interviews with local media.

Former U.S. Supreme Court clerks weigh in on Brett Kavanaugh’s raucous confirmation hearings – and his chances for confirmation.

A new film looks at skateboarding as an escape from violence and boredom for three friends in Rockford, Illinois. We speak with director Bing Liu.

The blight, as well as the occasional bursts of beauty that define life in inner-city high schools is all too familiar. But rarely has it been captured with such a sense of wit, grace, exasperation and tragicomic insight.

A lawsuit filed Thursday by Illinois and seven other states challenges a Trump administration plan to eliminate long-standing protections for migratory birds.

As a new school year gets underway at Chicago Public Schools, we visit a first-year teacher who has her own share of first-day jitters – and excitement for what lies ahead.

Four years after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is charged with his murder, is underway. Scenes from day one of the trial.

Retro tunes, barbecue bites, historic homes and feline films usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Watch the Sept. 5, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

He stunned the city with his decision to not seek a third term, leaving everyone wondering: what’s next? A discussion with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

A proposal in City Council would end a tourist industry that’s operated in the city for nearly 40 years. Supporters and opponents weigh in.