Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, but there's a debate about its future.

When a flight gets cancelled, it's not only travel plans that get trashed.

Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In this special Curious City mini-documentary and online presentation (complete with archival photos and video), we tell the story of how an infamous neo-Nazi group settled in the Marquette Park neighborhood and used it as a home base to gain attention and promote its political agenda. The story of the group’s rise and fall on Chicago’s Southwest Side raises questions about the extent of free speech and how mainstream racism in any neighborhood can encourage hate groups.  

Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started in Chicago’s historically blue-collar suburbs.

Officials say the Jane Addams Tollway will soon be faster, safer and smarter. But will it deliver?

Medical calls outnumber fire calls 20 to one in Chicago. So why does the city own so many more fire trucks than ambulances?

Tom Skilling explains why most TV meteorologists don't talk about climate change, but should.

There are plenty, but let's just say they're not ready for a nuclear apocalypse.

A prospective Chicago parent wants to know where he could be within door-knocking distance of other families with kids. So we mapped them.

Chicago-style hot dogs are a beloved culinary masterpiece: A snappy all-beef wiener, steamed poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-green relish, two slices of tomato, a dill pickle spear, two sport peppers and a final whoosh of celery salt.

But how did that unique mix of ingredients come to be? In a special Curious City presentation, Chicago’s premier hot dog expert breaks down the history of each ingredient. It’s a tale of immigration to Chicago’s Maxwell street neighborhood a century ago. Click here for the full story.

Monica Eng is a WBEZ food and health reporter. Follow her at @monicaeng