After a one-year sabbatical at Harvard University, the Chicago Tribune’s architecture critic Blair Kamin is back in Chicago. He joins us to chime in on some hot-button architectural stories unfolding in the city.

Hot dog lovers come from around the world to eat at Hot Doug's. "Hot Doug" himself, owner Doug Sohn, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how he got started. Read a Q&A.

We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of the lifelong model railroader who now keeps the trains running at the Museum of Science and Industry. Read an article and watch a video.

Hearings begin Tuesday on a lawsuit seeking to block the planned closure of 50 Chicago Public Schools. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of parents, are backed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

There’s a battle brewing in Evanston over the proposed sale of the city-owned Harley Clarke Mansion and surrounding lakefront park land to Hyatt hotel heir, Colonel James Pritzker. He wants to convert the property into a high-end boutique hotel. We have the latest on the controversy. Read minutes from closed door meetings about the sale.

Hunger is rising; 860,000 people were food insecure in Cook County in 2011. Out of those, one in five were children. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, a nonprofit food distribution and training center, which provides food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in Chicago, is expanding summer feeding programs to serve kids who usually receive their meals at schools. Read an article.

Chicago’s premier rock and roll photographer talks about 37 years of incredible access to the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, and everybody who’s anybody in popular music. On the eve of a new, interactive exhibit of his photos at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, we visit Paul Natkin in his home studio and on assignment shooting the Chicago Blues Fest. Read a Q&A.

GQ editor Michael Hainey travels back in time to uncover the true story of his father’s mysterious death. We revisit a conversation with Hainey about his book, After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story. Read an excerpt and watch a web extra video.

Artists are putting the finishing touches on a new mural in Chicago's Sauganash community on the northwest side. The mixed-media mural fills the walls of an empty bicycle underpass at the corner of Peterson Avenue and Kostner Avenue.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that she will not be running for governor in 2014, but instead seek a fourth term as the state's chief legal officer. Read her statement.

There are explosive new allegations that the Metra Board ousted CEO Alex Clifford over his refusal to capitulate to patronage demands made by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. We have analysis, and take a closer look at Clifford’s leaked memo that led to his $718,000 severance package – which critics are calling hush money and a waste of taxpayer funds. Read an article.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed Monday that the Justice Department is continuing to investigate the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin despite George Zimmerman's acquittal. Elizabeth Brackett has local reaction to the verdict, and what the next steps in the case may be.

Think of Chicago in 1893, and the World's Columbian Exposition comes to mind--with millions of visitors flooding the Midway to visit the White City. But 1893 was a seminal year for Chicago for at least a dozen other reasons, including something as seemingly insignificant as the debut of a new brand of chewing gum. Author Joseph Gustaitis joins us with stories from the year that changed Chicago forever. Read an article.