Stories by Evan Garcia

Fireworks can be a lot of fun for humans, but frightening for some pets. Learn what you can do to ease your pet's stress when the celebrations start.

Lawmakers and the governor strike a six-month budget deal. Schools get funding to open in the fall. The Bears lose a legend, and the Cubs' Kris Bryant makes history. Joel Weisman and guests discuss these stories and more.

For the first time in a year, there is a state budget, albeit a temporary one. There is also relief for Chicago Public Schools, but with some caveats. Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us with the latest.

Now that it’s clear that “Star Wars” creator George Lucas will be taking his project to another state, what of the small nonprofit group that fell the mighty filmmaker and his supporter, Mayor Rahm Emanuel? Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry joins us.

Have decades of budgetary tricks and rising pension costs made bankruptcy inevitable for the city of Chicago as well as its public school system? We debate the issue.

Hiss Majesty, a 16-year-old Caiman lizard at the Shedd Aquarium, was fitted for a new prosthetic limb on Wednesday.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama announced Thursday that the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will be designed by renowned architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.  

With both the Republican and Democratic conventions around the corner, there’s lots of speculation around vice presidential picks for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Who’s likely to get the nod from Trump or Clinton?

Blair Kamin, Pulitzer prize-winning architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, talks about the architectural artistry of Harvard Yard and his new book on the subject.

Go out with a bang this weekend as fireworks, parades and festivals offer plenty of ways to celebrate across the city and suburbs.

As Chicago struggles to understand and control rising gun violence, there may be insight to be found in social media.  

Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis talks about what may be happening in Springfield to help CPS and what it could mean for contract negotiations.

A day of special session for the Illinois House and Senate ended with no significant action on a budget agreement. Amanda Vinicky shares details of what’s been happening behind the scenes.

Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about Chicago's North suburban neighbors in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Crain’s Chicago Business managing editor Ann Dwyer reports on a less conventional way to get those hot “Hamilton” tickets, the newest bank acquisitions in town and changes to the clothing startup Trunk Club.

A new study finds a program that works with at-risk young men in Chicago reduced overall arrests in the group by 35 percent, violent crime arrests by 50 percent and boosted on-time high school graduation for participants by 19 percent.

We get a tasty sampling of the first harvest of our garden with organic gardener Jeanne Nolan.

The governor and legislative leaders meet on the eve of Wednesday's special session. Was anything resolved on a budget and how much money Chicago Public Schools will receive?

With Obamacare premiums expected to rise, what options do consumers have now?

The great Mel Brooks turns 90 on Tuesday. A WTTW11 crew met him in February 2001 when this genuine genius of entertainment was just a babe at 74 years old.

Increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, the city of Chicago says, will decrease smoking among youth, boost health and save lives.

An Illinois senator is renewing his call for a proposed ban on bobcat trapping and the sale of the animals' pelts after a reported deal with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources fell through.

It's been more than 20 years since O.J. Simpson was arrested and charged with murder, but there is renewed fascination with his trial–a fact that holds no mystery for Marcia Clark, the former L.A. prosecutor tasked with laying out the case against Simpson in 1995.