Stories by WTTW News

Judge Ruben Castillo has been appointed the new Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Carol Marin goes one-on-one with the first Hispanic Chief Judge to hold this position. Read an interview with outgoing Chief Judge James Holderman.

The Chicago Park District is halfway toward rebuilding north Grant Park, to be known as "Maggie Daley Park." Watch a time-lapse video, read an article and view a slideshow.

Eve Ensler’s memoir, In the Body of the World, is a gritty glimpse of her recent struggles – from uterine cancer to working with rape survivors in the Congo. We revisit a conversation we had with Ensler back in May. Read an excerpt from her book.

The famous Lascaux Caves of southern France -- or at least a life-sized replica of them --are now in Chicago. We revisit a preview of the exhibit at the Field Museum. Watch web extra videos and view a slideshow.

Brookfield Zoo is standing tall today after the debut of the 59th baby giraffe born on its grounds. At 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds, the calf was born 11 days ago to first-time mom Jasiri, and dad Hasani. Watch a web extra video of the giraffe's birth.

Unrest is sparking fears of a second revolution in Egypt. Thousands have taken to the streets pushing for the ouster of Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, who has been in office for a year. But a defiant President Morsi is rejecting the opposition’s call for an early special election. We have the latest on the turmoil in Egypt that has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 600 over the past few days.

Gov. Pat Quinn makes big changes to the concealed carry bill. Read more about the changes.

Her most famous work may be the novel The Color Purple, but Alice Walker says she is a poet at heart. Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for The Color Purple in 1983, the first African-American woman to do so. Now the poet-turned-novelist has two new books, of poetry and prose. She joins us. Read an article.

We revisit an exhibit that takes a revealing look at animals from the inside -- out. Ash-har Quraishi takes us behind the scenes at the Museum of Science and Industry. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss reviews three highly anticipated shows in Chicago. Learn more about the shows and watch a web extra review.

Democratic candidate for governor Bill Daley reports raising $800,000 in just over two weeks. Paris Schutz has the latest on where the race stands.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth joins us to talk about her exchange with an IRS contractor last week, today’s jump in student loan rates and what to expect when Congress returns from the holiday break. Watch a video.

Some innovative programs are preparing school principals for struggling urban schools by mentoring them and getting them firsthand experience. We look at how the Center for Urban Education Leadership at UIC and the nonprofit New Leaders are training 21st century urban school principals for the tough job they face. Read an article.

A new book by historian Dennis Cremin looks at the evolution of “Chicago’s front yard.” Read an excerpt.

Are some of the plants in your garden already dying? Or are the top-heavy plants face down in the mud? The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier joins us. Read her summer gardening tips.

We share what you had to say about the demolition of St. James Catholic Church and the city's new Divvy bike sharing program in tonight's viewer feedback.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines. Check out Chicago Tonight's weekly roundup of all of this week's stories.

Joel Weisman and his panel of local journalists delve further into the dynamics of the Blackhawks organization, including NHL salaries, player safety and concussions, and style of play. Watch the web extra conversation.

The Loop was a sea of red this morning. Jubilant fans lined the sidewalk along Washington Street, amid the canyon of skyscrapers underneath a bright blue summer sky. Read an article and watch web extra video.

The $500 million plan to modernize Wrigley Field got the green light Thursday from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, despite some objections from Lakeview Ald. Tom Tunney.

Republican Sen. Bill Brady officially announces his run for Illinois governor in 2014. He joins us. View a timeline of his political career.

Our panel of book lovers – Rebecca Johns, Al Gini and Susan Nussbaum -- breaks down the titles you absolutely must read this summer. View their top picks.

Once, there were dozens of men's hatmakers in Chicago. Today, there is only one. We revisit Jay Shefsky's story about Optimo Hats. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Fifty-two million years ago, after the extinction of dinosaurs, a tropical lake basin surrounded by volcanoes was home to thousands of diverse species. Now that basin is known as Wyoming's Fossil Lake, with some of the most well-preserved fossils in the world. The Field Museum's Lance Grande brings us some of his fantastic finds from The Lost World of Fossil Lake. Read an interview with Grande and view photos.

We share your comments about a controversial severance package for Metra CEO Alex Clifford in tonight's viewer feedback.

Preservationists have lost their battle to save historic St. James Catholic Church in Bronzeville. Demolition on the 133-year-old church began Wednesday. Watch Eddie Arruza's March story about the efforts of parishioners and preservationists to save the structure.