Stories by Jay Shefsky

Marja Mills, the Chicago-based author of "The Mockingbird Next Door" shares stories of her friendship with the late Pulitzer prize-winning author Harper Lee, who died last Friday in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama.

President Barack Obama returns to Springfield. Toni Preckwinkle sounds the layoff alarm. Sears continues to implode. And in sports, the Blackhawks are still the best in the west. Hear about these stories and more with Eddie Arruza and guests.

Steve Harvey was just one of the comedians who made All Jokes Aside one of the most influential black comedy clubs ever. We talk with the club's owner, who tells his story in a new book.  

Many Illinois college students face the loss of their MAP grants because of the state's fiscal crisis, and Chicago State University says it won't be able to make payroll in March. Amanda Vinicky joins us with details.

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.

One hundred years ago today, the SS Eastland sank in the Chicago River. Nearly 100 newly found photos from the Chicago Tribune offer a new look at Chicago's deadliest tragedy.  

The Metropolitan Club and Breakthrough Urban Ministries team up to prep middle school kids on how to cook a holiday meal for their families.