Stories by evan garcia

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Karen Lewis Retiring

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the retirement of Chicago Teacher Union President Karen Lewis in this web-exclusive video.

Elon Musk’s proposal calls for an underground system that transports travelers on pods at speeds of 125-150 mph. (Credit: The Boring Company)

How Feasible is Boring Company’s Plan for O’Hare Express Train?

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has vowed to get started on digging an 18-mile tunnel from Block 37 to O’Hare airport in the next three to four months. We discuss the plan with Deputy Mayor of Chicago Robert Rivkin.

(Courtesy Sharone Aharon)

Friends Remember Elizabeth Brackett’s Energy, Adventurous Outlook

She was an award-winning journalist and an internationally recognized triathlete. A wife, mother, sister, friend and inspiration. Four people who knew Elizabeth Brackett well share their memories with us.

The Week in Review: Musk Promises 12-Minute O’Hare Express

Elon Musk’s Boring Company wins a bid to build high-speed transportation from downtown Chicago to O’Hare. How technologically and economically feasible is the plan? That story and more with Paris Schutz and guests Steve Daniels, Derrick Blakley, Becky Vevea and Rick Telander.

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Will Elon Musk Sway Jeff Bezos?

Paris Schutz and guests further discuss Elon Musk’s plans for an O’Hare express train. 

Bird Blood and Banding: Tracking Egrets in Cook County

Once a year, scientists and veterinarians check on nesting birds at Baker’s Lake in Cook County, where they can also learn a lot about the environment – and predict possible health concerns for humans.

The Beatles wave to fans after arriving at Kennedy Airport in February 1964.

The Beatles in Evanston: A Rare Look at Northwestern’s Beatles Manuscripts

A local institution holds handwritten lyric sheets belonging to the biggest-selling music artists of all time. We get a peek at this collection of cultural artifacts.

Donda’s House Renamed After Kanye West-Rhymefest Twitter Beef

A Chicago nonprofit co-founded in 2012 by Che “Rhymefest” Smith and Kanye West has been rebranded. Rhymefest tells us what’s next for the organization formerly known as Donda’s House.

The Week in Review: Lawmakers Pass Budget on Time

Illinois lawmakers approve a state budget. Another top Democratic official faces harassment allegations. President Donald Trump says he might commute Rod Blagojevich’s sentence. And Anthony Rizzo slides his way into controversy.

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Illinois’ Structural Deficit

Paris Schutz and guests discuss Moody’s not-so-rosy reaction to this week’s budget news.

(Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Chicago to Pittsburgh in 45 Minutes: A Look at the High-Speed Hyperloop

Could the Midwest soon be connected to a futuristic transit option? We visit one company’s hyperloop test site in the Nevada desert.

Report: US Border Patrol Officials Have Abused Young Migrants

A new report from the ACLU and the University of Chicago alleges a disturbing trend of abuse towards young migrants held by immigration officials.

Chicago Park District to Shut Down Drinking Fountains Due to Lead

Chicagoans may soon find drinking fountains at their local parks have been shut off, removed or simply won’t stop flushing water. WBEZ reporter Monica Eng is covering the story and joins us with details.

Chi Hack Night co-founder Derek Eder

Using Chicago’s Data for Good: Chi Hack Night Celebrates 300 Events

A weekly tech event at the Merchandise Mart celebrated a milestone last week. We take a look at the standout projects and people from its six-year history.

A still image from the video game “Soteria,” created at the Deep Games Laboratory at DePaul University’s School of Design.

DePaul Students Develop Video Games to Trigger Empathy, Understanding

What “deep games” are and how they can provide more than entertainment. We speak with game developer Doris Rusch of the Deep Games Laboratory at DePaul’s School of Design.

Trump Withdraws US from Iran Deal as North Korea Nuclear Talks Loom

President Donald Trump called it “a horrible one-sided deal.” How pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal could impact talks with North Korea.

Sandra Cordova Micek

A Conversation with Sandra Cordova Micek, New CEO of WTTW, WFMT

Meet the new president and CEO of Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent company of WTTW and WFMT.

Dockless Bikes Roll Out on Chicago’s South Side

Five years after the launch of Divvy, the city’s bike-share program, a pilot program has been introduced on the city’s South Side – with a twist.

(Jon S / Flickr)

Chicago Newspapers Trade Barbs as Print Model Struggles

The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune take shots at each other as both newspapers struggle to survive. Columnists Neil Steinberg and Eric Zorn weigh in.

Chicago’s Last Tannery Specializes in Horse Leather, NFL Footballs

Horween Leather has some high-profile clients. And if you’re a sports fan, chances are you’ve seen their work at play.

(Christoph Scholz / Flickr)

Russians Hacking Routers in the US and UK, Officials Warn

Government officials from the U.S. and the United Kingdom warn that Russian hackers are targeting consumer and business routers. How to protect your devices.

Fans can a buy a shout-out from Dennis Rodman for $1,000 on Cameo.

Celebrity Shout-Outs for Sale via Chicago-Based Company Cameo

Are selfies the new autograph? A local company connects celebrities with their fans through personalized videos.

Journalist Connects Family’s Turbulent Past with Chinese History

A reporter researching his family history tells an intimate story of China’s modernization. Scott Tong discusses his new book “A Village with My Name.”

(Pexels)

Cases For and Against Net Neutrality Set for Debate at Northwestern

Northwestern University hosts an Oxford-style debate on net neutrality this week. What are the pros and cons?

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Chicago Tribune Guild

Paris Schutz and guests discuss unionization effort by dozens of Chicago Tribune employees and the Chicago Bears’ decision to let Cameron Meredith walk.

The Week in Review: Illinois Politicians Turn the Tables on Zuckerberg

Sen. Dick Durbin grills Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Chicago homicides are in decline. South suburban Harvey goes belly-up. And Cubs bats come to life despite injury to star slugger Anthony Rizzo.