Stories by Crystin Immel
‘Making a Murderer’ Shines Light on False Youth Confessions
Chicago-Based Lawyers for Brendan Dassey Await Judge’s Decision
| Crystin Immel
The two men at the center of the Netflix documentary series, Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey, are serving lengthy sentences, but one of Dassey's Chicago-based attorneys is questioning the interrogation methods used by the police. He joins us to discuss the series and what’s next for his client.
Why Catfish Are the Future for Cleaner Chicago Water
| Evan Garcia
Two organizations have joined forces to release nearly 200,000 fish into the Chicago and Calumet waterways over the past two years.
Chicago No. 1 City for Bedbugs 4 Years in a Row
| Andrea Guthmann
The Windy City once again is the top city for bedbugs, according to a recent study by pest control company Orkin. “Chicago Tonight” talks with a pest control expert, doctor and entomologist about what this unflattering ranking means for Chicago.
Candidates for State's Attorney Debate Handling of Police Shootings
| Paris Schutz
State's Attorney Anita Alvarez faces critics and opponents in a contentious forum to answer the question of whether a special prosecutor should handle police shootings. Paris Schutz brings us the latest.
Chicago Cubs to Heighten Wrigley Field Security Measures in 2016
| Marc Vitali
While the start of the Major League Baseball season is still nearly four months away, the Cubs have aleady made headlines in 2016 with plans to beef up security around Wrigley Field. Joining us to talk about the proposed changes is Crain's Chicago Business sports business reporter Danny Ecker.
Tension Escalates Between Gov. Rauner, AFSCME
| Hunter Clauss
Tensions are rising between Gov. Bruce Rauner and one of Illinois' largest unions. We discuss what that could mean for the state with Anders Lindall, public affairs director for AFSCME Council 31; and John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute.
US Supreme Court to Weigh in on Abortion, Affirmative Action Cases
| Alexandra Silets
They are some of the most divisive issues of our time: abortion, affirmative action, contraception, unions and immigration. And they are all under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court this term. Three former clerks join us to outline the cases.
How the Chicago Defender Shaped American History
| Nick Blumberg
Founded in 1905, the Chicago Defender gave a voice to black Americans during the Jim Crow era and helped along the careers of politicians from JFK to Richard J. Daley. Former Defender editor and reporter Ethan Michaeli spent years conducting research and interviews for his extensive new history book.
'Topless Cellist' Charlotte Moorman Focus of Major Exhibition at Northwestern
| Chloe Riley
A show dedicated to the life of the barrier-breaking performance artist opens Saturday at Northwestern’s Block Museum.
The Week in Review: Videos of 2013 Fatal Police Shooting Released
| WTTW News
Paris Schutz and his panel discuss the newly released video of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman, the powerful Chicago aldermen who delayed a vote on oversight reform and Gov. Bruce Rauner's first year in office.
Dangers Facing Albinos Exposed in New Film
| WTTW News
The new documentary "Equal Under God" follows one man's crusade for the protection of albinos in Uganda. One of the filmmakers – who has another connection to "Chicago Tonight" – joins us to discuss the film.
Celebrating Newton Minow's 90th Birthday
10 Things You Might Not Know About the Former FCC Chairman
| Kristen Thometz
Former FCC chairman and WTTW trustee emeritus Newton Minow turns 90 on Sunday. While you may remember that he once famously called TV a “vast wasteland,” you might not know that he’s actually a big “Downton Abbey” fan. In honor of his upcoming birthday, we share 10 things about him that might just surprise you.
City Releases Cedrick Chatman Fatal Shooting Videos
| Hunter Clauss
A federal judge on Thursday ruled to release surveillance video that was originally held under protective order by the city depicting the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager—17-year-old Cedrick Chatman—by a white Chicago police officer in January 2013. We talk with Brian Coffman, an attorney representing the boy's family.
Cook County Democrats Endorse Kimberly Foxx
| Brandis Friedman
The race to be Cook County's top prosecutor is getting even more interesting. Today, Cook County Democrats changed their minds about endorsing a candidate for state's attorney – in August, the party chose not to endorse anybody – and officially backed a challenger to incumbent Anita Alvarez.
Winter Gardening with Eliza Fournier
| Alexandra Silets
Despite the cold, there's plenty to do with your green thumb – even though it may be a little blue right now. Joining us with some winter gardening ideas and tips is Eliza Fournier of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Bob Saget, Boats and Logan Square Gala Benefit
It's the Weekend Agenda: Jan. 15-17
| Chloe Riley
See all the boats, hang with Danny Tanner and hipster it up with the best of them.
Carole King Story a 'Beautiful' Role for Local Actor
| Marc Vitali
Eight times a week, Chicago actor Abby Mueller portrays the great songwriter Carole King in the national touring production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." Mueller joins us to speak about the real Carole King and the very musical Mueller family of Evanston. She'll also perform a classic Carole King song live in our studio.
Viewer Feedback: Chicago's Waste, Recycling Programs a 'Complete Failure'
| WTTW News
We read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Lois Weisberg, Longtime Daley Commissioner who Shaped Chicago’s Arts Scene, Dies at 90
| Chloe Riley
The former commissioner of Cultural Affairs died Wednesday night.
Alice the Corpse Flower is Fruiting
| Evan Garcia
Alice, the famous smelly flower of the Chicago Botanic Garden, is bearing fruit – hundreds of them.
Interim Superintendent Escalante Addresses Chicago’s Recent Spike in Violence
| Eddie Arruza
Less than two weeks into the new year, Chicago has already had a dramatic spike in violence. This morning, Chicago's interim police superintendent said he is frustrated at the city's ongoing violent crime, calling it a daunting issue for his beleaguered police force. Eddie Arruza has the story.
Curbing Gun Violence in Chicago and Beyond
| WTTW News
When President Obama announced last week a series of executive actions to reduce gun violence, he was joined by the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, who was murdered in Chicago three years ago this month. The Pendletons join us to talk about curbing violence in Chicago.
Powerful Aldermen Block Reform Effort
| Paris Schutz
Actions Wednesday by powerful aldermen Ed Burke and Carrie Austin signal City Council might not yet be ready for reform. Paris Schutz has the latest on that and how aldermen have watered-down the mayor’s borrowing plan – for now.
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