Stories by WTTW News

We share what you had to say about the recent CPS layoffs and Len Goodman, an attorney of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who filed an appeal on his behalf on July 15, in tonight’s viewer feedback.

The Tall Ships Festival begins today at Navy Pier. Jay Shefsky spent 24 hours on the tall ship Lynx this week as it sailed to Chicago. On Thursday's show, Jay gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Lynx. Today, we have Jay's web extra “video postcard” of dawn aboard a historic two-masted schooner. Watch the video.

Less than a week after medical marijuana became legal in Illinois, the first clinic opens in Chicago. But it's still going to be a while before patients get their prescriptions filled.  Eddie Arruza has the details.

In a whirlwind week for newspapers, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to buy The Washington Post for $250 million, while Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry has purchased The Boston Globe from the New York Times Company. We discuss the future of the newspaper industry in light of the sales.

The State Department issues a worldwide travel alert and the temporary closure of 19 embassies and consulates. We look at the latest terror threats with Robert Pape, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago. View a map of the closures and charts on attacks.

We speak with a former prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney's juvenile division who says she was demoted for dropping charges in a “wilding” case in the Loop.

Chicago’s premier rock and roll photographer talks about 37 years of incredible access to the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, and everybody who’s anybody in popular music. On the eve of a new, interactive exhibit of his photos at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, we visited Paul Natkin in his home studio and on assignment shooting the Chicago Blues Fest. We revisit the story. Read a Q&A, watch a web extra video, and view a slideshow.

Our panel of expert chefs and restaurant owners – Chelsea Kalberloh Jackson of Pleasant House Bakery, Dan Smith of Hearty Boys, and Cleetus Friedman of Fountainhead – weighs in on how you can get the most out of dining out this summer. View some recipes.

In light of the recent Metra scandal, Gov. Pat Quinn is looking to appoint a panel of experts to suggest a “fundamental overhaul” of both Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority. Will the task force recommend streamlining the oversight of public transportation? And is it a good idea to completely revamp Metra, Pace, CTA and the RTA? We have analysis.

Alfonso and Margaret Iannelli were a husband and wife design team who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and then struck out on their own. We revisit a conversation with Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson about this artistic power couple, and a show of their work at the Chicago Cultural Center. View a slideshow, read a book excerpt and watch a video.

Neighbor Carts hires workers with pre-existing barriers to employment, while simultaneously working to eradicate the city's vast food deserts. We revisit Jay Shefsky's story about the company's innovative business model. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Saxophone great James Carter talks about his lifelong love of jazz and how he became an authority on vintage horns. Watch a video performance, and read a Q & A with Lauren Deutsch, executive director at the Jazz Institute of Chicago

In the longest doping suspension in baseball history, Alex Rodriguez is potentially benched for 211 games. Twelve other players also get hefty bans related to a performance-enhancing drug scandal. We look at the impact on the game. Read an article.

About 3,000 teachers and staff have already been laid off this summer in a massive downsizing effort by the Chicago school district. What’s the big picture impact for student education? Carol Marin and her guests assess the issue.

We talk with Len Goodman, an attorney of imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who filed an appeal on his behalf on July 15. Read the full appeal.

Film and TV veteran William Petersen returns to town to do a two-character play with a promising young Chicago actress, Rae Gray, at Steppenwolf Theatre. We have a conversation with the two stars of the Chicago premiere of Greg Pierce’s Slowgirl. Read an interview with the play's director.

This past weekend, 300,000 people turned out for the biggest Lollapalooza yet. For its ninth year, 130 bands played on eight stages in three days. The festival brought in more than $4 million in revenue for the city. Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot joins us to discuss some of the festival's highlights. Read an interview and view a slideshow.

We share what you had about the to say about the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois and the city's budget shortfall in tonight's viewer feedback.

The fallout from the Alex Clifford $718,000 severance saga continues. Board member Larry Huggins, appointed by former Mayor Richard M. Daley, has resigned. The news came in a release sent by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's top press aide. Read an article.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists debate the ramifications of the Chicago Public Schools’ budget deficit, and whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett have credibility with the voters. Watch the web extra conversation.

Shakespeare in the park, a bug zoo, and a fun-run at Soldier Field; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

We take an exclusive look at The Field Museum’s Dermestid Beetle Colony in the first episode of our online series, Chicago Tonight's "Field Trip." Watch the video.

Illinois is now the 20th state to allow medical marijuana. Gov. Pat Quinn signed House Bill 1 on Thursday, which legalizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Paris Schutz has the details.

With a budget shortfall projected at over $300 million, what’s a city budget director to do? Alexandra Holt joins us to discuss her plan of action for the City of Chicago. Read the city's 2013 Annual Financial Analysis.

A photo of earth from 1 billion miles away, what the Curiosity Rover has discovered after a year on Mars, and a spacecraft that may now be traveling beyond the solar system. Astrophysicist Chris Lintott joins us to explore some of the latest and most amazing stories from outer space. View a slideshow and vote on your favorite photo in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 Contest.