Stories by Nick Blumberg

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders touched off a fiery public debate this weekend after tweeting that a Virginia restaurant refused to serve her because she works for the president. 

President Donald Trump signs an executive order ending the policy of separating migrant children from their parents. Will the move spur immigration reform in Congress?

Chicago has one of the worst homicide arrest rates in the nation, according to a Washington Post analysis. What the effect of that low rate is – and how it can be improved.

Could the American Medical Association’s official position on physician-assisted suicide be changing?

From Steve Wozniak to Larry King and Lady Gaga, a new book offers insights into how to start a career and forge a unique path.

President Donald Trump has issued a string of unusual commutations and pardons, including one championed by reality star Kim Kardashian West. Will Rod Blagojevich be next? 

Why the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum wants you to keep your eye out for baby turtles on the move.

A disturbing upward trend in incidents of colorectal cancer brings about new guidelines for screenings.

To call last week in Chicago City Council “eventful” might be an understatement. We discuss the latest with a panel of Chicago aldermen.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the NFL’s new policy on kneeling during the national anthem.

A state lawmaker goes up against the powerful Illinois House Speaker. Mayor Rahm Emanuel goes ballistic over an alderman’s parliamentary procedure. And is the NFL’s new national anthem policy a fumble?

A major acquisition of a homegrown Chicago bank: Is the buyer taking a big risk? And what does the deal mean for customers?

Some North Side homeowners say the Cook County Assessor over-valued their property. Will other Chicago homes see a hike in their assessments?

Paris Schutz and guests discuss former gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Biss finally endorsing Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker.

A presidential plan for Jackson Park moves a step closer to construction. Gov. Bruce Rauner backs reinstating the death penalty. CPS hands over control of its special education program. And an up-and-down week in Chicago baseball.

The writer and educator returns to Chicago to discuss her new book “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.” We catch up with Austin Channing Brown.

The Chicago Tribune is the latest media outlet to suspend online comments. Is there a way to welcome feedback while eliminating vitriol?

Mississippi’s long-running literary tradition includes renowned names like William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Richard Wright. Add to that list the only woman to win the National Book Award twice: Jesmyn Ward.

Chicago libraries serve “a multitude of community functions” and should be open longer, says Kang Chiu of the Chicago Coalition of Library Friends.

From the Special Olympics to Congress and beyond: The new book “Eunice” explores the formidable impact of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds cases of disease from mosquito, tick and flea bites tripled between 2004 and 2016 – and Illinois was among the states most affected.

New York’s attorney general resigns after claims of violent behavior. A look at domestic abuse by men who publicly champion women’s causes.

Why the fourth-coldest April on record also brought us summer-like temperatures – and what we can expect from the coming weeks.

Beverly Daniel Tatum, the author of a groundbreaking book on segregation in America’s schools and neighborhoods, on why it’s so crucial – and difficult – to talk about race.

The first black student to attend an all-white New Orleans school joins us to talk about civil rights activism and persistent racism in the U.S.

With a little more than nine months until the Chicago mayoral election, a seventh candidate has entered the race.