Stories by WTTW News

James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to break down the Bears' third loss in four games, and gives us his take on what fans can realistically expect from backup quarterback Josh McCown. Watch a web extra video.

The steel mills may be gone, but the south side is again under threat from a growing source of air and water pollution. It's referred to a "petcoke," and is a byproduct of refining heavy tar sands oil. We share what you had to say about it in tonight’s viewer feedback.

The eight aldermen that form Chicago City Council’s self-styled “Progressive Caucus” have a novel approach to solving the city’s pension crisis: convene a panel of city workers, elected officials, and fund managers to come up with a long-term solution. Read an article.

A delicious documentary with notes of humor and suspense, Somm follows four men preparing for the annual test before the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue the conversation with the discussion of the extension of south Lake Shore Drive. It will run along the old U.S. Steel site, which will be redeveloped. Watch the web extra video.

Once at the Oriental Theatre, a 3-D film about “space junk” and lots of desserts at Navy Pier; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Ernest Hemingway wrote lean prose but liked his burgers fatty and flavorful. With the new season of Check, Please! in mind, here's a historic recipe from a literary carnivore.

Now that the government has reopened and a debt default has been averted, we get reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin and other Illinois lawmakers about what happens next.

President Obama signed an 11th-hour deal averting a devastating debt default. But it’s a short-term deal that may result in another funding battle on January 15 and debt limit deadline February 7. What is the real economic impact of the shutdown? And what effects will it have on markets? We have analysis.

What are the odds that pension reform, same-sex marriage, and gambling will be passed in the coming months? WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky looks ahead to the Springfield veto session.

Piles of petcoke, a byproduct from oil refineries, building up along the Calumet River have southeast side residents worried about their health. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.

For 35 years, Judith Martin has answered etiquette questions as Miss Manners in her syndicated column, and in more than a dozen books. Now, she has taken on etiquette in the workplace in a new book called Miss Manners' Minds Your Business. We talk with Judith Martin, along with her son and co-author, Nicholas Ivor Martin. Read a book excerpt.

A new season of “Check, Please!” kicks off on Friday, Oct. 18 with new host Catherine De Orio. She joins us with a preview. 

We share what you had to say about the new runway at O'Hare airport in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Mike Scott and The Waterboys end drought with a rare local appearance.

The first speed cameras are officially in action. But is the program different than what Mayor Rahm Emanuel sold it as? Paris Schutz has the story. View a map of speed camera locations.

Senate leaders announce they've reached a deal to end the government shutdown. Carol Marin and her guests have analysis.

The president and CEO of the mutual fund association, Investment Company Institute (ICI), talks with us about retirement savings and how to plan for the future. View graphics of his research.

The days may be getting shorter, but Geoffrey Baer finds it’s always sunny inside these elevators. Find out more in tonight’s Ask Geoffrey.

The movie Gravity, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, has become a runaway box office hit and critical success. And while it’s been hailed for its groundbreaking technical accomplishments, how realistic is it? We hear from some Adler Planetarium astronomers about what they thought of the scientific aspects of the film. Read an Q & A.

The clown princes of classical music, Igudesman and Joo, join us in advance of their performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Watch web extra performance clips from the duo.

Remembering the great newspaper columnist Irv “Kup” Kupcinet 10 years after his death – and finding the ideal Chicago actor to portray him on stage.

We take a look at the current state of fiscal talks in the U.S. House and Senate. Will Congress beat the debt limit clock? Or is the United States facing default? Our panel has analysis.

Chicago Housing Authority CEO Charles Woodyard's resignation was announced at a CHA board meeting on Tuesday. Natalie Moore, WBEZ's South Side reporter, joins us with the details. Read Woodyard's resignation letter.

17-year-old criminal offenders in Illinois will go to juvenile detention instead of jail beginning next year. We have the details about why that has some concerned. Read an article.