The field of nanoscience -- the science of the very small -- is exploding and is likely to profoundly shape our future, impacting everything from energy production and storage to cutting edge, designer medicines. Here to help us separate the science from the science fiction is Dr. Amanda Petford-Long, director of the Nanoscience and Technology Division and the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory.

The Bears are tied again for first place in the NFC North. James “Big Cat” Williams breaks down their latest win over the Cowboys, including Josh McCown’s stellar performance, and the receiving corps’ outstanding effort. Watch a web extra video.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave on Air Force One to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandela Tuesday as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan recalls her year in South Africa while Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Watch web extra videos about the anti-apartheid icon from WTTW's archives.

Now that Gov. Pat Quinn has signed the bill to fix Illinois' underfunded pension system, will it be found unconstitutional? Carol Marin and her panel of experts explore the issue.

We share what you had to say about Chicago Tonight's Ventra Special in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, Peter Baker, joins us to check in on fixes to HealthCare.gov and the potential political fallout from the glitches in the 2014 midterms.

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield this week to vote on pension reform. Carol Marin and her guests discuss the deal, and what it would mean for employees. Read the full Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 1 and details of the proposal.

James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the Bears' overtime loss to the Vikings, and coach Marc Trestman’s controversial call to attempt a field goal on second down. Watch a web extra video.

Have Illinois leaders, at long last, come to a pension deal? Will it pass? Paris Schutz has the story.

As Illinois prepares to become the last state to pass a concealed carry gun law, we discuss how both law enforcement and businesses are expecting to be affected. Read an article.

The risk calculator included in the recently released guidelines for lowering cholesterol have been questioned by a number of leaders in the field of cardiology. We speak with two specialists on different sides of the controversy. Read an interview.

What is a robotic razor fish teaching scientists about building better robots? Why are Argonne scientists going down to the South Pole? And how can a tiny laser boost high-speed data transmission? Our science guy, Neil Shubin, has those stories and more research news in this edition of Scientific Chicago. Read an article.

Deerfield-based Walgreens opens its first totally green “Net-Zero Energy” store in Evanston. We take a tour and go behind the scenes to see what makes this an ultra environmentally friendly store, producing all of its own energy with solar panels and wind turbines. Watch web extra videos and view a slideshow.