Bill Kurtis to retire from role as judge on NPR's "Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!"
A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his latest act on the airwaves.
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A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his latest act on the airwaves.
A man who is best known to generations of Chicagoans as CBS Chicago's principal anchorman will soon be retiring from his second act on the airwaves.
Gene Siskel was the movie critic for Channel 2 News from 1974 until his death in 1999. In these clips from 1978 and 1979, we see some of his lighter moments in the newsroom, and particularly his repartee with anchorman Walter Jacobson.
Thirty years ago this week, temperatures in Chicago hit an all-time record of 106 degrees in a heat wave that ended up being to blame for 739 deaths. This is Channel 2 News coverage of the chain of events from Monday, July 17, through Friday, July 21, documenting the death count rising by the hundred, the criticism levied against Mayor Richard M. Daley as officials were caught by surprise, and air conditioner repair scams that cropped up amid the heat.
On July 12, 1995, the ribbon was cut for Navy Pier as it reopened as a top tourist destination. Christine Doyle reports on the spectacle, and Bill Kurtis takes a ride on the newly opened first Navy Pier Ferris wheel.
These are highlight clips of live coverage from Bill Kurtis, Walter Jacobson, and the Channel 2 News team of Pope John Paul II's visit to Chicago in October 1979, including a prayer service at Holy Name Cathedral where Luciano Pavarotti sang "Ave Maria," and of course, the pope's open-air mass in Grant Park. Original airdates: Oct. 4-5, 1979.
On April 20, 1981, Spanish Catalan artist Joan Miró's famous Chicago sculpture was unveiled next to what is now called the Cook County Administration Building. Before the unveiling, renowned Channel 2 anchorman Bill Kurtis visited with the soon-to-be-88-year-old Miró at his home in Majorca, Spain. After presenting Miró with some gifts on behalf of the City of Chicago, Kurtis asked the artist through an interpreter about his inspiration, his impressions of Chicago, what he hoped people would take away from his sculpture, and other topics. Taping date: March 26, 1981.
If the first televised debate had not happened between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in 1960, what might have been different? Bill Kurtis has final thoughts in the 1985 documentary "The Great Debate."
Vice President Richard Nixon struggled with the appearance of a five o'clock shadow, a pale appearance, and other problems during the first televised presidential debate on Sept. 26, 1960, while observers said Sen. John F. Kennedy looked confident in front of the cameras. Bill Kurtis reports in this second part of the 1985 special "The Great Debate."
Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon participated the first ever televised debate on Sept. 26, 1960 at the old CBS Chicago studios. Bill Kurtis reports on the history of politics and broadcasting, and what had happened in the Nixon and Kennedy campaigns leading up to that moment, in the first part of this 1985 documentary, "The Great Debate."
Richard Speck had no shame about killing eight young women in 1966, and his comments on a 1988 videotape may have shed light on what was going on his mind. Bill Kurtis reports in this fifth segment of "Richard Speck Speaks." This report first aired Thursday, May 9, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this fourth segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis reports on a videotape obtained by CBS Chicago, showing killer Richard Speck and a cellmate at Stateville Prison in 1988. The tape showed sexual acts, drug use, and hedonism. Viewer discretion is advised. This report first aired Wednesday, May 8, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this third segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis looks back at the manhunt for Speck after he murdered eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966, and examines Speck's comments on the case in a 1988 videotape recorded at Stateville Prison. This report first aired Tuesday, May 7, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this second segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis reports on the Speck's cold-blooded confession as it appears a videocassette recorded at Stateville Prison in 1988. This report first aired Monday, May 6, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
In this first segment of the six-part series "Richard Speck Speaks," Bill Kurtis recounts how Speck heinously murdered of eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966. This report first aired Sunday, May 5, 1996 on the Channel 2 News at 10 p.m.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis has final thoughts to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there about the characterization of the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a 'police riot,' and about the Chicago 7 Trial in this 1988 documentary.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
CBS 2's Bill Kurtis talks to the people who were there for the unrest during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
In Part 1 of this 1988 documentary, CBS 2's Bill Kurtis has a look back at the tension and unrest that boiled over during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, along with a montage of video from that time.
The Democratic National Convention was last held in Chicago in 1996, when President Bill Clinton was renominated. Lester Holt and Linda MacLennan anchor from the United Center, with live reports by Bill Kurtis, Mike Flannery, and Jay Levine.
This is CBS 2's coverage of the death of Mayor Harold Washington on Nov. 25, 1987. Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson anchor from our old newsroom at 630 N. McClurg Ct., and Jim Avila reports from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
CBS 2 provided extended coverage of the 1992 Great Chicago Flood and its aftermath throughout the ensuing week.
The sense of the city being brought to its knees was so profound at the time of the Great Chicago Flood of 1992 that it drew comparisons to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. CBS 2's Bill Kurtis reports.
This is CBS 2's 4:30 p.m. coverage of the Chicago Flood on April 13, 1992, with Bill Kurtis and Linda MacLennan. Jay Levine and John Drummond report live on efforts to stop and mitigate the flooding, Mike Parker reports on the investigation into the cause, and MWRD President Nick Melas explains how the flooding will be stopped.
Los Angeles police are looking for a driver who struck and killed a Chicago Cubs fan in town for a game last month.
After accusations flew in dueling legal filings earlier this week, a federal judge on Thursday officially dismissed the main conspiracy charge against the remaining "Broadview Six" immigration protesters indicted last fall.
A nationwide Canvas outage has been reported, and is impacting schools in the Chicago area, including Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, UIC and the University of Illinois.
Three of the nation's major scholarly groups challenged the Trump administration's cuts to humanities grants.
A new trade school in Calumet Park, which is a non-profit school with scholarship programs, is offering a new segment of students a pipeline to lucrative careers.
Three of the nation's major scholarly groups challenged the Trump administration's cuts to humanities grants.
Since his second term started, President Trump has introduced a flurry of initiatives aimed at taming the excesses of the pharmaceutical industry.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other mayors are asking Illinois lawmakers to increase the share of income tax revenue that goes to local governments.
President Trump had backed challengers to Indiana state senators who voted against his redistricting plan — and on Tuesday, most of them won.
Indiana voters are choosing nominees for the U.S. House under existing district boundaries during Tuesday's primary elections.
Chatham residents say they're losing a vital resource as Walgreen's prepares to close its store near 86th and Cottage Grove.
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Chicago was $5.17 on Friday, up from $3.75 a year ago.
Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Company customers are likely to see minor credits on their bills for the next three years, thanks to a $125 million settlement agreement announced Thursday by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Chicago gas prices are spiking as the war with Iran drags on, with regular gas nearing $6 in some spots and premium already selling for more than $7 in some places.
In the legal venue of anti-trust enforcement, the state is not taking on the Trump administration, but rather filling a void that state officials say the Trump administration has vacated.
The largest U.S. health insurer said it will eliminate approval requirements for some treatments, including select outpatient surgeries and other procedures.
Thirty years ago, Advocate Children's Hospital created a specialized team to transport the smallest patients to get life-saving care. On the anniversary of the Neonatal Pediatric Transport Team, they unveiled some a new ambulance.
The second-largest physicians' group in the U.S. has issued a surprising switch in breast cancer screening recommendations.
A new $48 million wellness center opened Thursday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. The goal is to improve the health and quality of life for people on the West Side of Chicago.
La Rabida Children's Hospital went all out for Earth Day on Wednesday, with volunteer cleanup efforts by staffers and activities for patients and families.
U.S. prosecutors allege a man with multiple aliases used the name of the famed Astor family to scam a Mexican billionaire out of $450 million.
Thousands of people marched from the West Loop to Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago on Friday for May Day, with activists calling for workers' rights, stronger labor protections, and increased school funding.
A $170 million-plus plan announced this week will redevelop the Water Tower Place mall on the Magnificent Mile.
The Holiday Club in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood will soon be going out of business, as the building that houses the popular bar is set to be torn down.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Lincolnwood Village Board approved a pre-development agreement with the mall, providing a roadmap with the property owner for further preparations and government approvals for redevelopment.
David Allan Coe also had hits with "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" and "The Ride" among others.
Some youngsters got a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of making opera Sunday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Matt DeCaro, an actor who was a familiar face on the Chicago stage for many years, died this weekend.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
Tickets for the 2026 Ravinia Festival season went on sale Thursday morning.
Canvas, an online platform used for grades, assignments, and course materials, has affected thousands of universities across the country, after a data breach.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
A new trade school in Calumet Park, which is a non-profit school with scholarship programs, is offering a new segment of students a pipeline to lucrative careers.
Police across Chicago and the northern suburbs were investigating a string of overnight smash-and-grab burglaries targeting businesses.
More than 500 Chicago Public Schools students were at the Field Museum Thursday to participate in the fourth annual NASCAR STEAM Fest Design Challenge.
Kianna Galvin left her home on May 6, 2016, to go to a nearby park and hasn't been seen since.
Two suburban women are facing Mother's Day without their mom, a Polish immigrant who has been in ICE custody since last August even though she has a Green Card.
Los Angeles police are looking for a driver who struck and killed a Chicago Cubs fan in town for a game last month.
A visitation will be held on Thursday for fallen Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, who was fatally shot at Swedish Hospital.
After accusations flew in dueling legal filings earlier this week, a federal judge on Thursday officially dismissed the main conspiracy charge against the remaining "Broadview Six" immigration protesters indicted last fall.
A man from the Chicago suburbs lost $69,000 of his savings to a scam by a thief using an AI-generated U.S. Marshals badge to intimidate him.
Illinois lawmakers are trying to decide what should happen when artificial intelligence leads to serious destruction or even death, and two of the most influential AI companies in the world are backing opposing state bills trying to answer that question.
Rideshare drivers say it's getting difficult to continue working as gas prices surpass $6 in the city.
More than four months after a Chicago woman battling ALS was told she couldn't get a disabled parking placard in front of her home, the sign is up and her life is about to change.
An elderly woman has essentially abandoned her home of three decades because of constantly broken elevators at her high-rise condo building on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
Michael Conforto went 3 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs, Shota Imanaga pitched six innings of one-run ball and the Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak to nine games with an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
In May 2019, Bridgett Kolls came to a Cubs game with a simple sign that read "this lil cubbie needs a kidney" and her phone number. It caught the attention of Allesio, who is a Chicago White Sox fan
The Cubs also won their 14th straight home game for their longest win streak at Wrigley Field since they also won 14 in a row at the iconic ballpark in 2008.
Travis d'Arnaud hit a three-run homer, Walbert Ureña threw six innings of two-hit ball, and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-2.
Boyd had an MRI that showed a meniscus issue, and manager Craig Counsell said the team isn't sure how long the left-hander is going to be out.
Police across Chicago and the northern suburbs were investigating a string of overnight smash-and-grab burglaries targeting businesses.
A teenager has been charged with shooting and killing his father inside their home in southwest suburban Oak Lawn following an argument on Monday.
The Mexican navy helped rescue shipwrecked sailors and retrieve bales of illicit drugs that had been dumped into the ocean.
A man was killed on Tuesday night in a shooting less than a block from an elementary school in the West Englewood neighborhood.
A 17-year-old boy has died after police said he was stabbed by another teen over the weekend in southwest suburban Joliet.
