Specimen Products is the brainchild of Ian Schneller. He's an artist and musician who makes and repairs stringed instruments and audio equipment. He also runs a school that teaches people to make a variety of instruments and audio equipment; but Schneller's real hope is that his students discover the disappearing art of making things by hand without the aid of a computer.

The Atlantic correspondent and author Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses his thoughts on the students at North Lawndale College Prep, his mea culpa for glossing over the accusations against Bill Cosby in the past, and he explains why The Case for Reparations is unrelated to the black conservatives’ argument.

There is some clarity today on what will happen to the Illinois comptroller's office in the wake of Judy Baar Topinka's death.

Abner Mikva talks about a lifetime of public service and what it was like to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama.

What's behind the plunging price of gas and how low can it go? An oil industry analyst gives us some insights.

With support from the Chicago Public Education Fund, a CPS K-12 magnet school is using time and technology to benefit students.

More Chicagoans than ever are leaving the church. Why is this and can the new archbishop help turn around the trend?

Tony Award-winning writer and longtime theater critic John Lahr has written an authoritative biography on the life and work of playwright Tennessee Williams. Lahr also shares memories of his father, the actor Bert Lahr.

Chicago is about to get more green space. We preview two long-anticipated new parks slated to open this weekend.

Last year's winter was known as "Chiberia." Will this year's winter be a repeat? We talk with WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling about what to expect in the winter weather forecast.

Time is winding down for Chicago high-rises to comply with the Life Safety Evaluation Ordinance. We get the latest from the Department of Buildings Commissioner Felicia Davis.

We share what you had to say about a new retirement law and the proposal to require Chicago gas stations to sell E15 gasoline in tonight's viewer feedback.

Judy Baar Topinka joins Phil Ponce for a one-on-one conversation about her campaign for governor and vision for Illinois. Democratic candidate, incumbent Gov. Rod Blagojevich, initially agreed to be a part of the program, but later canceled his appearance.