Stories by Nick Blumberg
Dorothy Brown Announces 2nd Bid for Chicago Mayor
| Nick Blumberg
The Cook County circuit court clerk talks about her surprise run for mayor of Chicago.
Study: Gene Therapy for Blood Disorder Ends Need for Transfusions
| Kristen Thometz
A rare blood disorder called thalassemia requires regular blood transfusions, but gene therapy may change that, according to a new study.
‘Don’t Panic’: Chicago Officials Hope to Save Lives With Safe Haven Law
| Matt Masterson
April is “Save Abandoned Babies Month” in Illinois. Chicago police and fire officials hope to raise awareness of the state’s safe haven law in the hopes of saving infant lives.
Illinois Gets Huge Donation for Synthetic Cannabinoids Treatment
| Kristen Thometz
How a donation of nearly 800,000 tablets of vitamin K can help treat severe bleeding related to the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
Adler to Honor NASA Volcanologist With Women in Space Science Award
| Alex Ruppenthal
A conversation with NASA research scientist Rosaly Lopes, who will be recognized this week at an event celebrating women in space science.
Scientists Discover ‘Suicidal’ Octopus Colonies Near Ocean Floor
| Alex Ruppenthal
A team of scientists was exploring a rocky patch of ocean floor when they found something that shouldn’t have been there: octopuses – lots of them.
Putting a Bit of a Twist on This Year’s Non-Equity Jeff Nominations
| Hedy Weiss
Acknowledging the existence of “gender fluidity,” the 45th annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards nominations for performance are now nonbinary.
Dreams, Drama Drive CSO’s Concert of Works by Debussy and Tchaikovsky
| Hedy Weiss
The work of both composers shares the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s current program led by Maestro Riccardo Muti. And the result is a most winning mix of opposing musical temperaments.
New Chicago Law Requires Health Warning Signs at Tobacco Dealers
| Kristen Thometz
The Windy City is the first in the nation to require tobacco health warning signs at the doors of all tobacco dealers. The new law also prohibits all free sampling of tobacco products.
Chicago Gets ‘F’ Grade in 2018 Air Pollution Report
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago is the country’s 22nd most polluted city, according to a new study of air pollutants by the American Lung Association.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Is there a Newspaper War in Chicago?
| WTTW News
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss whether there’s a newspaper war brewing in Chicago.
The Week in Review: Dorothy Brown Enters Mayoral Race
| WTTW News
Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown joins the race for mayor. A federal appeals court says the federal government may not withhold funding from so-called sanctuary cities. And the U.S. Supreme Court denies an appeal from Rod Blagojevich.
Chicago Police Board to Review LeGrier Shooting After Member Sides With COPA
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Board may seek to fire an officer who shot and killed two people during a domestic disturbance call in 2015.
Parkland Shooting Survivor Wants Fresh Focus on ‘Never Again’ Movement
| Amanda Vinicky
May-Ling Ho-Shing is a survivor of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The 17-year-old shared a message Thursday with students at Thornwood High School in South Holland.
‘Daughter of the Cold War’ on George Kennan, Russia and Remarkable Life
| Paul Caine
Grace Kennan Warnecke, the daughter of legendary American diplomat George Kennan, talks about her new memoir.
Rainn Wilson at Steppenwolf Theater In a Farce to be Reckoned With
| Marc Vitali
The actor known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s “The Office” talks about his dual roles in Matthew-Lee Erlbach’s new play “The Doppelganger.”
Third Candidate Enters Race for Illinois Governor
| Paris Schutz
State Sen. Sam McCann enters the race for Illinois governor as a Conservative Party candidate.
Celebrity Shout-Outs for Sale via Chicago-Based Company Cameo
| Evan Garcia
Are selfies the new autograph? A local company connects celebrities with their fans through personalized videos.
Advocates Respond to Special Education Investigation at CPS
| Brandis Friedman
CPS CEO Janice Jackson talks with us about school funding and investigations into special education and school cleanliness.
White Sox to Ditch Plastic Straws at Guaranteed Rate Field
| Alex Ruppenthal
In an effort to reduce plastic waste, the White Sox have become the first team in Major League Baseball to get rid of disposable straws for nearly an entire season.
Appeals Court Backs Chicago in Federal Immigration Case
| Matt Masterson
Chicago won’t have to give up its “sanctuary city” policies in order to receive federal grant money, an appeals court ruled Thursday.
In ‘The Doppelgänger,’ Insiders and Outsiders Greedily Savage an African Nation
| Hedy Weiss
A sort of equal-opportunity snake pit of corruption, violence and ridiculous sex-capades, Matthew-Lee Erlbach’s play is now receiving its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre.
‘That’s Not Where it Hurts’: Gymnast’s Former Coach Under Investigation for Sexual Abuse
| Alex Ruppenthal
In 2014, a suburban gymnast told police her coach sexually abused her. Now, with that coach under investigation again, she is sharing her story publicly. “I felt very alone during all of it,” she said. “I’m hoping my story can help other people.”
Toronto’s Troubled Airport Express Train Could Be Cautionary Tale for Chicago
| Paris Schutz
Why some experts caution that a proposed express train between the Loop and O’Hare could fly off the tracks, financially.
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