Stories by Jay Shefsky
Local Crafting Group Knits Refugees, Immigrants Together
| Jay Shefsky
Immigrant and refugee women find joy, companionship and healing in knitting. Jay Shefsky takes us to their workshop.
Weekend Events: Chicago Improv Festival, Beer Classic, Mother's Day
| Meredith Francis
Get a laugh or two from one of the dozens of groups performing at the Chicago Improv Festival, have a pint at the Chicago Beer Classic and celebrate mom on Mother's Day.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Replace Police with the National Guard’
| Erica Gunderson
Hear what viewers had to say about our conversation with Lori Lightfoot and Dean Angelo, Phil Ponce's discussion with Archbishop Blaise Cupich and our interview with Julie DiCaro when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Has Friends of the Parks’ Opposition Cost Chicago the Lucas Museum?
| Paul Caine
After Friends of the Parks declared its opposition to any lakefront site for the Lucas Museum, Mellody Hobson, wife of movie mogul George Lucas and board member of the Lucas Museum, said they were “seriously pursuing locations outside of Chicago.”
Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich on Challenges Facing the Church
| Nick Blumberg
Faced with major, ongoing financial pressure, the Archdiocese of Chicago is looking hard at its mission and membership. Archbishop Blase Cupich talks about the Chicago Catholic Church's money woes and how it might reorganize and revitalize itself.
Coalition of Social Service Agencies Files Lawsuit Against Governor, State Agencies
| WTTW News
On Wednesday, a coalition of 64 Illinois-based human and social service agencies and companies filed a lawsuit against Gov. Bruce Rauner and the directors of six statewide agencies seeking payment for work performed since July 1, 2015.
In the Fight Against Invasive Plant Species, Fire a Worthy Weapon
| Evan Garcia
How local forest preserves are using fire to maintain the Chicago area's natural ecosystem, much like Native Americans did prior to European settlement.
Crain’s Roundup: Can Gondolas Lift Chicago Tourism?
| Alexandra Silets
Can aerial gondolas proposed for tours along the Chicago River lift tourism business in the city? Crain's managing editor Ann Dwyer joins us to discuss this story and more.
Broadway Star Kate Baldwin on Chicago Roots, ‘The King and I’
15 Things You Might Not Know About ‘The King and I’
| Marc Vitali
The star of "The King and I," now on stage at the Lyric Opera, talks about her Evanston roots and performs songs from the production.
Local Scientists, Institutions Join Global Fight to Save Coral Reefs
| Elizabeth Brackett
Coral reefs evolved 240 million years ago, but now scientists say coral reefs could be gone before the end of this century. They say the biggest threat is the warming ocean water. Three major institutions in Chicago are now actively engaged in the fight to save the coral reefs.
Ald. Burke's Law Firm Helps Trump Trim $11.7M Off Property Taxes
| Paul Caine
Donald Trump has racked up a number of victories in his presidential bid, but he's also been a big winner in Chicago. Hear from the Sun-Times reporters who've uncovered Trump's big tax breaks thanks to Ald. Ed Burke (14th Ward).
Indiana Primary: Front-Runner Trump, Cruz in War of Words
| Alexandra Silets
The barbs turned personal during Tuesday's primary battle in Indiana. Trump claimed another victory, and Cruz suspended his campaign. What will these results mean for the big picture?
Grand Budget Bargain Progress in Springfield
| Paris Schutz
We have the latest on action from Springfield, including whether or not a secret budget working group has a grand bargain in the works to finally break the budget stalemate.
Lucas Museum ‘Seriously Pursuing Locations Outside of Chicago’
Friends of the Parks pauses lawsuit, opposes any lakefront site
| Kristen Thometz
“We are now seriously pursuing locations outside of Chicago,” Mellody Hobson, wife of movie mogul George Lucas and board member of the Lucas Museum, said in a statement. “If the museum is forced to leave, it will be because of the Friends of the Parks and that is no victory for anyone.”
Master of Painting Brings Art from Bronzeville to the World
| Marc Vitali
From his studio in Bronzeville, Kerry James Marshall creates large-scale canvases that are prized in museums around the world. A 1997 winner of a MacArthur "genius" grant, Marshall spoke with “Chicago Tonight” at the opening of his career retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Lori Lightfoot, Dean Angelo Come Face-to-Face on Task Force Report
| Alexandra Silets
Police union president Dean Angelo denies racism in the ranks. He faces off with Police Accountability Task Force chair Lori Lightfoot over the group's scathing report.
#MoreThanMean Highlights Online Abuse Women Face
| Nick Blumberg
A new video featuring two local journalists unveils the hostility some female sports reporters face online. One of the journalists, Julie DiCaro, joins us to talk about the attacks she faces and how she fights back.
Deadline Looms to Change Income Tax Law, Legislative Mapping Process
| Paris Schutz
Will Illinois move to a graduated income tax from a flat tax, and will it end the practice of gerrymandering legislative maps? Tuesday marks the deadline in the Illinois General Assembly to pass laws to change these practices.
Lyric’s ‘King and I’: A Sumptuous, Crowd-Pleasing Clash of Cultures
| Marc Vitali
Epic yet intimate Rodgers and Hammerstein revival earns an opening night standing ovation at the Civic Opera House.
From Vietnam to Michelin: The Journey of Chef Ryan McCaskey
| Brandis Friedman
In the final days of the Vietnam War, an effort to rescue thousands of babies from the country brought one of them to Chicago. Brandis Friedman shares the story of how he rose to become a Michelin-starred chef.
American Bison a Step Closer to Becoming National Mammal of US
| Evan Garcia
The National Bison Legacy Act aims to put the largest land mammal in America on the same level as the bald eagle, the country's national bird and a cultural symbol of independence.
Art in Motion Showcases Talents, Progress of RIC Patients
| Kristen Thometz
The 14th annual Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago fundraiser features artwork by 23 of their patients, including art by two mouth painters who will show off their skills during Thursday's opening reception.
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