Stories by Shanika Gunaratna

Since the high-profile murder of her 15-year-old daughter, Hadiya Pendleton’s mother has jumped head first into the national debate on guns. She joins us to explain why.

The structure of Chicago gangs isn't what it used to be. The hierarchical organization of the past is largely gone, replaced by many smaller and fractured groups. We talk to three men with experience in dealing with gangs who give us their view of why young people belong to gangs and carry out violence.

The city's top cop and the county's prosecutor explore the best ways to control guns on the street and why guns are so easily accessible.

Elizabeth Brackett takes a look at gun violence through the lens of the public health system rather than the criminal justice system.

We explore the impact of street violence on Chicago youth.

Defense is one of many areas facing cuts in Congress' expected sequester. Economics professors debate what this means for your budget.

More than 100 schools remain on the list for possible closures -- and in community meetings around Chicago, parents are strongly objecting to the possibility of closing their neighborhood school. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments over the constitutionality of same-sex marriages, we hear from the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice who lost her job after ruling that Iowa's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. 

Tribune Co. hires bankers to handle the likely sale of its newspapers. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

A storefront theater takes action against violence in Chicago.

Robert Falls, the artistic director of the Goodman Theatre, joins us to discuss the upcoming season and more.

Chicago poet and performer David Hernandez has died at age 66.

Sleet and freezing rain pelt the city, bringing up to three inches of snow for the evening commute. We have more on the Midwest storm.

A winter storm causes low voter turnout today in the race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress. Which candidate will that benefit or hurt? Paris Schutz has the latest.

Could a better helmet hold the key to reducing the epidemic of sports-related brain injuries? In this week’s edition of Scientific Chicago, Ash-har Quraishi talks with a team of university researchers who say it’s time for a new design.

The former chairman of Exelon Corporation argues that, without swift immigration reform, Congress is putting the entire Midwest economy at risk. He joins us.

In his new book, GQ editor Michael Hainey travels back in time to uncover the true story of his father’s mysterious death.

As a kid, Walter Arnold loved the gargoyles at the University of Chicago. Today, he is a master stone carver, trained in Italy and at Washington National Cathedral. Jay Shefsky has his story.

Is Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy's job on the line? Find out what the mayor and the top African-American alderman had to say.

A mixed report on the backlog of Illinois' unpaid bills is released. Carol Marin breaks down the billions with the study's author.

Retired General Stanley McChrystal joins us to talk about his new memoir.

Discover a suburban junior high school that's home to an amazing gallery of American artwork. We show you how students there get a head start in art.

From Potawatomis to Picasso, Geoffrey Baer answers your questions about works of art in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

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

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is denied a rehearing on concealed carry legislation. And a recent poll claims Mayor Emanuel’s popularity ratings are declining. Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss in our web extra video.