Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

Stella the Seahorse is the first of 19 marine animal sculptures made from plastic debris on display at Shedd Aquarium. 

For the first time, Lincoln Park Zoo is offering visitors a chance to get up close and personal with their African penguins. We meet three waddling, webbed-feet bachelors.

Schools are caught in the crossfire between Democrats and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who said Friday he’ll call legislators back to Springfield if they don’t release Senate Bill 1 to him by noon Monday.

A Cook County judge will rule on the controversial penny-per-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage tax next week.

After spending their first weeks learning to swim and bonding with their mothers, Lucy and Taylor make their public debut.

A plan to fortify a barrier against Asian carp was set to be released in February but has been stalled by the Trump administration. 

Cook County layoffs spark a war of words. Chicago drivers get red-light ticket relief. Shakeup in the governor’s office. Revived Cubs are winning again, and the Sox go on a trade tirade.

For decades, the steel industry forged Chicago’s industrial spine. Now, we forge a no-nonsense drink for the no-nonsense lady who brought the titans of steel to their knees.

Richard Cahan and Michael Williams spend a lot of time digging through old photos of Chicago, and together have created 14 stunning books. Take a look at their latest, “Chicago: Classic Photographs.”

Heavy rainfall drenched northern Illinois Wednesday night and Thursday morning. And more is on the way. The Des Plaines and Fox Rivers have seen water levels rise and remain areas of concern.

Watch the July 20, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Illinois State Sens. Heather Steans and Karen McConnaughay report on the status of school funding and which reforms were passed this session.

The city has settled a massive lawsuit with more than a million drivers and will partially reimburse those tickets. Here’s what you need to know.

You won’t find driverless cars whizzing through the streets of Chicago today. But behind the scenes, companies are testing and implementing technology for cars to navigate sans human input.

Despite the fight in Springfield over education funding, Chicago Public Schools leaders say they will open to students in the fall—but with fewer students.

Teachers and principals spent the past year criticizing the way Chicago Public Schools handles special education funding. The district now says it’s planning major changes in the new fiscal year.

The French Canadian circus rolled into town this week, and Chicago Tonight got a backstage pass to meet the performers.

Why the stalled soda tax has unleashed a war of words between Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Watch the July 19, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The field of Democratic candidates running for governor is especially crowded, but there is only one Republican aiming to challenge Bruce Rauner. And he'll face the governor’s formidable campaign war chest.

Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson joins us to discuss his office’s investigative work.

Parents accuse singer R. Kelly of keeping their daughter and other women in a cult. We speak with the journalist who broke the story.

Dozens of Chicago-area public school teachers are getting a taste of several world religions this week as part of a course designed to increase their religious literacy.

The national tour of “An American in Paris” visits Chicago starting next week. Hedy Weiss joins us with a preview of that Tony Award-winning production. 

A Portage Park range takes a whack at bringing axe-throwing to Chicago.

Lush gardens, craft beer, gallery tours and the Bard—reimagined—usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.