Stories by Matt Masterson

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool once again criticized Gov. Bruce Rauner, saying Wednesday the governor is putting his own politics ahead of the needs of Illinois students.

Three Chicago film critics sound off on the best—and worst—of summer movies.

Geoffrey Baer solves the mystery of a viewer’s “vague memory” from the 1940s, revisits the Century of Progress and opens the door to the Evanston History Center in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

“The message for cancer patients and survivors is: get active,” said researcher Diane Ehlers. “It’s not a magic cure-all, but we’ve seen many benefits of physical activity for cancer patients and survivors.”

The city is expanding its ShotSpotter program as shootings outpace last year's rate.

Watch the July 25, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Ahead of the special session called by Gov. Rauner, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle weigh in on the battle over education funding.

For decades, it’s been the one place in Chicago where you can get a giant serving of corned beef or pastrami, with some juicy political gossip on the side. 

One of his goals is to create conversations around exhibits and programming that are relevant to historical subject matter, but also to the present.

More than two months into a canoe trip along the Mississippi River, retired ABC7 reporter Paul Meincke and his friends have hit a few snags on their journey.

Heavy rains and record flooding in the Chicago area hatch a big concern: mosquitoes. With standing water as a breeding ground, more mosquitoes could be on the way.

A team led by Adler Planetarium astronomer Grace Wolf-Chase used a telescope instrument to discover infrared light undetectable to the human eye, revealing new stars in the Milky Way. 

A relatively small but significant trove of photographs by Vivian Maier has a new home at the University of Chicago Library.

Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th Ward, says motorists are likely to receive only half of what they might have if they’d been allowed to contest their fines.

Watch the July 24, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Jared Kushner, son-in-law and special adviser to the president, is questioned by congressional investigators about his Russia contacts.

An update from the Obama Foundation’s Michael Strautmanis on plans for the South Side Presidential Center.

Words of culinary wisdom from master pastry chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of The French Pastry School.

The award-winning singer-songwriter talks about her late friend Leonard Cohen and an upcoming tour with Stephen Stills launching this week at Ravinia.

Lawmakers will have much to discuss during yet another special session, this time on education spending. Three Illinois teachers weigh in.

With 20 million American women and 10 million men expected to suffer from an eating disorder sometime in their lives, some are concerned the film could serve as a blueprint.

Stella the Seahorse is the first of 19 marine animal sculptures made from plastic debris on display at Shedd Aquarium. 

For the first time, Lincoln Park Zoo is offering visitors a chance to get up close and personal with their African penguins. We meet three waddling, webbed-feet bachelors.

Schools are caught in the crossfire between Democrats and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who said Friday he’ll call legislators back to Springfield if they don’t release Senate Bill 1 to him by noon Monday.

A Cook County judge will rule on the controversial penny-per-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage tax next week.

After spending their first weeks learning to swim and bonding with their mothers, Lucy and Taylor make their public debut.