Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

An effort that began two decades ago to restore the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River in Horner Park is finally complete.

Attorneys for suspended Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke wrapped up their third day of defense by calling a truck driver who they believe was attacked by Laquan McDonald the night the fatal shooting, and an instructor from Chicago’s police academy.

Workers will end their strike at nearly a dozen Chicago hotels after reaching an agreement with the Knickerbocker and Ritz-Carlton hotels on Wednesday. But the strike continues at 15 other hotels.

A viewer wants to know why the towers atop an iconic Chicago skyscraper have changed height. Geoffrey Baer proves himself equal to the task in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Watch the Sept. 25, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability has proposed a seven-member civilian board with the power to hire and fire Chicago’s police superintendent and have final say on police policy. 

A new cybersecurity plan unveiled last week by the Trump White House indicates that the U.S. could take more aggressive steps to combat foreign hackers. 

In “The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities,” professor John J. Mearsheimer argues the broad-reaching foreign policy goals of the U.S. have backfired. 

If ever you had any doubt about the healing and transformative powers of art, “We’re Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time,” David Cale’s hypnotically beautiful one-man show, will set you straight.

Jason Van Dyke’s attorneys presented expert testimony and an animated video that purports to show how the shooting occurred from Van Dyke’s perspective during the sixth day of the high-profile murder trial.

There is one self-identified Republican in the growing field of candidates to be Chicago mayor. We hear his plans for the city.

One of Chicago’s hottest singers is on the comeback trail following a severe health scare. We catch up with Paul Marinaro at the Green Mill.

Watch the Sept. 24, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Voting rights advocates have accused Secretary of State Jesse White of failing to properly implement Illinois' new automatic voter registration law. 

Organizers say they are making progress on a new museum of gospel music planned for the former Pilgrim Baptist Church site in Bronzeville. 

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will meet with President Donald Trump on Thursday following a series of conflicting reports about Rosenstein’s future leading the Justice Department. 

Research conducted by auditory neuroscientists at Northwestern University reveals that studying how the brain processes sound could provide an objective way to diagnose concussions. 

Music is not apolitical. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s season opening concerts take note of this, with impassioned comments made by Maestro Riccardo Muti.

Cooler weather can present challenges to local gardeners. How to make the most of the season.

Jason Van Dyke is the one facing murder charges, but his attorneys on Monday painted teen Laquan McDonald as a violent drug user who became aggressive when under the influence of PCP.

Up next: Oktoberfest Chicago, Chicago Gourmet, Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo, Edgewater Arts Festival and more.

After two weeks, the union representing striking workers announced that a contract agreement had been reached at nine hotels. Workers will continue to strike at 17 others.

The zoo’s former curator of birds becomes the first woman to hold the position of director in the zoo’s 150-year history, and the first zoo director since the institution privatized in 1995.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who fatally shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014. 

J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Bruce Rauner rumble in their only TV debate. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins the race for Chicago mayor. Explosive testimony in the Jason Van Dyke murder trial. And the Cubs and Brewers go down to the wire in the NL Central.

Nearly three months after the controversial firing of Susan Russell, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has named Kelley Gandurski as executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control.