Stories by Brandis Friedman

The federal government is warning Chicago Public Schools against sanctions for its decision to administer the controversial PARCC test to 10 percent of students.

Two main tracks exist for professors in the academic world: tenured and non-tenured faculty. Across the nation, some non-tenured, adjunct faculty members are asking for higher wages, benefits and a more equal system. Can these two levels of professorship continue to exist? Is one becoming more predominant than the other? And what is the effect on the cost and quality of education? We discuss these questions and more with our panel.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

The five mayoral candidates met for their second forum before the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week’s headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the latest reports of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's motorcade again running red lights.

Back on the Job Controversial Buyout for President of College of DuPage Checking in on the Mayoral Race Youth Employment Rate Lagging in Chicago New Exhibit Looks at Crime Photos in Chicago

International Kennel Club Dog Shows, Sixth Annual Revel Bowl, and Short Shakespeare! Macbeth; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Chicago Shakespeare stages an abridged version of Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy and gets right to the point of one of his darkest plays.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is back at work and talking to Chicago Tonight about her recovery, the mayoral race, and the controversial PARCC testing.

A controversial and expensive buyout for the president of the College of DuPage has enraged critics who say the $763,000 severance agreement lacks transparency and damages the publicly funded community college's reputation. We hear from the one board member who voted against the deal. 

Mayor Emanuel has at times had trouble with organized labor, but not today. He got an enthusiastic endorsement from several of the city's trade unions. This as a new Tribune poll gives the mayor a big lead over his challengers, but short of the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff

As the economy and employment rates improve, young people may be getting left behind. We’ll learn about a new report on the jobless rate among teens in Chicago.

A new exhibit at Roosevelt University looks at crime photography in Chicago in the 1920s and '30s -- and in the last few years.

Tickets for the Grateful Dead's July 3-5 reunion shows at Soldier Field are in high demand. The band received more than 60,000 envelopes of mail-in ticket requests.

We share what you had to say about Gov. Rauner’s expected push to diminish the influence of unions and bicycle safety in Chicago.

Measles Surfaces in Illinois Gov. Rauner Sets Up Fight with Unions Pedal at Your Own Peril In the Middle Chicago Poet J. Ivy Ask Geoffrey: 1/28

A confirmed case of measles is reported in suburban Cook County. We have the details on what you need to know about preventing an outbreak.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed "right-to-work zones" that would weaken union control in certain areas. The move is sure to touch off a fight with labor unions, and may need legislative action to become a reality. We'll talk about the governor's ideas about unions, his management style, as well as the new COO and CFO he's appointed.

Chicago had its first cyclist fatality of 2015 just a few hours into the new year when 30-year-old Aimer Robledo was the victim of a hit-and-run on West Division Street.

A new project from the University of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools focuses on preparing middle school students for college readiness.

Chicago poet J. Ivy talks about his new book Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain, what it's like to collaborate with the likes of Kanye West, John Legend and Jay Z, and why he feels compelled to write.

A viewer remembers a gardenia-garnished cocktail from Trader Vic’s, but can’t recall the name. Geoffrey Baer plays drink detective in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Mayoral Candidates Face Off in First Forum Discussing Drones Hospital Beds Lying Empty Around Illinois Divorce Smarter Chicago Theatre Mural Painter Hedy Weiss: Theater Reviews

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his four challengers face off in their first forum in front of Chicago Tribune's editorial board.

Drones have been a hot topic in the media nationwide with the FAA working to catch up with the technology and a drone landing on White House property this week. What are the current regulations in Chicago and Illinois? We discuss drones with our panel.