Stories by michael lipkin

Burke Proposes Energy Drink Ban

Ald. Ed Burke (14th) wants to ban high-caffeine energy drinks citywide. We have more on the science behind the health risk.

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Manti Te'o Hoax

Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o's internet girlfriend is revealed to be an elaborate prank. We have more on how fake online personas are created.

Gary Comer College Prep

The Patron of Pocket Town

Lands' End founder Gary Comer dedicated much of his life to revitalizing his childhood home: Pocket Town, in Greater Grand Crossing. How much good has his $86 million (and counting) done? Chicago magazine editor Elly Fishman joins us with the story.

"Brown in the Windy City"

A new book explores the racial identity of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans in Chicago after World War II -- neither white nor black, but sometimes a buffer between the two.

"The World Until Yesterday"

Would we all be better off if we let our children play with fire? Pulitzer Prize winner Jared Diamond joins us to discuss lessons we can learn from traditional societies.

Excerpt: "The World Until Yesterday"

An excerpt of The World Until Yesterday, by Jared Diamond

#WordOfTheYear

The American Dialect Society names "hashtag" the word of the year. We speak with a local linguist who helped crown the winner.

Reforming the Tax Code

After fiscal cliff talks, comprehensive tax reform could be next. What changes could be part of that package, and would they benefit the economy? Our panel of tax experts has more.

Civic Groups Back Pension Reform

Chicago civic groups back bipartisan pension reform, but will it prompt any action in Springfield? Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss the latest developments.

Police destroy illegal slot machines - Courtesy of Charles Molnar

Uncovering the Roots of "Organized Crime in Chicago"

A Chicago criminologist has new insight into the origins of Chicago organized crime.

Staying On A Diet Plan with Dr. Ian K. Smith

Dr. Ian Smith joins us with tips on losing those extra holiday pounds.

2 Weeks Left For Fiscal Cliff Talks

With only two weeks left until the U.S. reaches the fiscal cliff, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner have made some progress, but remain far from a final agreement. We have the latest.

"The Patriarch"

The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy

Wall Street tycoon, Hollywood mogul, notorious womanizer, ambassador, advisor to presidents -- and head of one of America's most prominent political families. We gain new insight into Joseph P. Kennedy.

"The Science of Good Cooking"

America's Test Kitchen host Christopher Kimball joins us with scientific secrets to better cooking. 

Web Extra: "The Science of Good Cooking"

We continue our conversation with Christopher Kimball, including why he doesn't view cooking as creative or glamorous.

"The City in a Garden"

Did the threat of disease help spur Chicago's first park? Chicago Park District's historian joins us with more. 

2nd District Slate Session Looms

The race to replace Jesse Jackson, Jr. intensifies, as two state legislators face criminal charges. Carol Marin and her political roundtable discuss the state of local politics.

Cook County Board President Preckwinkle

Two Years In Office

Two years ago tomorrow, Toni Preckwinkle became Cook County Board President. She joins us with a look ahead at the rest of her term.

Cook County Pension Reform

How could Rhode Island's pension reform efforts inform Cook County's solution? The architect behind some of the country's boldest pension reform joins us.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

We visit a treasure box of a museum in the western suburbs and find out about the immigrant who built it, one stone at a time.

Diane Ravitch on Education Reform

She was one of the strongest voices in the school reform movement, but less than a decade ago, Diane Ravitch, a former assistant secretary of education under President George H. W. Bush, had a change of heart.

Ken Burns' "Dust Bowl"

As stocks tumbled during the Great Depression, farmers in the Great Plains were dealing with the Dust Bowl -- a plague of dust storms that lasted a decade resulting in the greatest man-made ecological disaster in U.S. history.

Nate Silver On His Predictions and Newfound Cult Status

He correctly predicted the winner in all 50 states in last week's presidential election-- and quickly became an icon for math geeks worldwide. We talk with statistician Nate Silver.

Credit: Robert Gaudlin

Web Preview: Nate Silver

Chicago Tonight interviews Nate Silver Friday. The interview will air Tuesday on our show, but here's a sneak peek.

Nina de Garis Davies' "Farmers Deliver Their Quota of Geese"

Between Heaven and Earth

Birds in Ancient Egypt

We take a look at a new exhibit about the role birds played in ancient Egypt.

Web Extra: Birds in Ancient Egypt

Oriental Institute curator Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer highlights some of her favorite artifacts in a new exhibit.