Clowns relate the true story of Chicago's 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire in a stunning and funny revival of a show called Burning Bluebeard at Theater Wit. We get a preview. Read an Artbeat blog about the play and watch Hedy Weiss' web extra video review.

We share what you had to say about the CTA ending its ex-offenders program in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Crime numbers in Chicago are reportedly at their lowest levels in decades. We take a look behind the scenes at the Chicago Police Department to see what strategies police leadership believe are working. Watch a web extra video.

The murder rate in Chicago is down compared to last year, but some community members are concerned over police tactics used. We talk with Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy about the crime rate in Chicago, gun legislation and police initiatives for the coming year. Read an article.

Emily Graslie, creator of the “The Brain Scoop” YouTube channel, talks about her recent video addressing sexist comments and the lack of women in the science industry. Watch the video.

As a Muslim girl growing up in Turkey, Meltem Aktas wasn’t planning to make a career of Christian art. Jay Shefsky has a profile of the sacred artist. View a slideshow of her work.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are fast approaching, which means parties and entertaining. Chef Rick Bayless joins us to share a festive margarita recipe and shrimp cocktail with a Mexican twist. Read his recipes.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to scale back its $85 billion a month bond-buying program. As Fed policymakers convene this week, financial insiders speculate what the timetable for a stimulus wind-down could look like. We talk with two Chicago economists about the stimulus program and what federal tapering means for businesses and consumers. Read an interview.

Community protest brings results as one company removes its petcoke from a Calumet River storage site. But thousands of tons remain on other sites. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

Oak Park native, actress, blogger and magazine editor Tavi Gevinson joins us to talk about growing up in the public eye, college, and editing her new book: Rookie Yearbook Two. Read excerpts and watch videos.

In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, Geoffrey Baer brings us up to speed on the wildly popular railroad fairs of the late 1940s, where rail enthusiasts flocked to Chicago’s lakefront to see vintage and modern locomotives in action.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss reviews new plays at Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, and some unusual holiday shows. Watch web extra video reviews.

After a scandal that resulted in the resignation of its CEO, Metra is looking for a new leader. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with new Metra board members to talk about leadership and the company’s vision going forward.