Stories by Nick Blumberg

For days, parts of Texas have been slammed by massive rain and flooding caused by Harvey. A look at recovery efforts for the short and long term.

Lawmakers reach a deal on school funding. Gov. Bruce Rauner cleans house again. Chicago sees its most violent weekend since July 4. And the Cubs grow a comfortable lead in their division. 

Ravin Gandhi denounced the president’s comments on Charlottesville in an op-ed, and now finds himself the target of racist invective. What he hopes will come out of the experience.

The former U.S. attorney, who was asked to resign by the Trump administration in March, joins us in discussion.

Over the course of civilization, eclipses have been met with fear and superstition. How humans have reacted to—and explained—eclipses throughout history.

Along Wolf Lake on Chicago’s Southeast Side lies the only Illinois state park within city limits, where visitors can find fishing spots, biking trails – and invasive species.

Jumping into ocean waters teeming with sharks doesn’t sound like much fun, but for researchers working on shark conservation, it’s a way to gather important and sometimes surprising information. Meet Steve Kessel, the Shedd Aquarium’s new director of marine research.

Illinois blows the deadline for payments to public schools. Mayor Rahm Emanuel sues the Trump administration. Lawsuits fly over Cook County’s soda tax. And Mitch Trubisky shines in the Bears first preseason game.

Despite increasing international condemnation, North Korea has ramped up its nuclear capabilities to a potentially dangerous level. 

“Chicago will not be blackmailed into changing our values, and we are and will remain a welcoming city,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Sunday at a press conference announcing the suit.

Another record-setting day on Wall Street. What’s propelling the stock surge—and can it last?

Vladimir Putin orders hundreds of U.S. diplomats out of the country as tensions escalate with Russia.

A new graphic novel wants to empower Chicago teenagers to push for the city they deserve. Meet one of the teens who created the book.

Buying a bag of chips or logging onto your computer with a wave of your hand will soon be possible at one Wisconsin company. 

A new study offers the latest and perhaps most dramatic evidence of the neurological toll of football on those who play it.

Heavy rains and record flooding in the Chicago area hatch a big concern: mosquitoes. With standing water as a breeding ground, more mosquitoes could be on the way.

Cook County layoffs spark a war of words. Chicago drivers get red-light ticket relief. Shakeup in the governor’s office. Revived Cubs are winning again, and the Sox go on a trade tirade.

Parents accuse singer R. Kelly of keeping their daughter and other women in a cult. We speak with the journalist who broke the story.

Learn more about the new CEO and the unlikely group that just purchased the beleaguered Chicago Sun-Times.

Gov. Bruce Rauner insists on removing what he calls a Chicago “bailout” from a state school funding plan.

Big cuts are coming to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, including nearly 400 jail guards. “We had no way to plan for this,” said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s staff shake-up is still going on after legislators voted last week to override the governor's veto of a tax hike and budget.

We meet one of the curators of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

Lawmakers finally pass a budget, but Illinois bonds may still face a junk rating. Holiday weekend violence despite increased police presence. Can the underperforming Cubs right the World Series ship?

The head of the nonprofit group Violence Interrupters says his platform includes job creation, reducing gun violence, boosting public school funding and bridging gaps between Democrats and Republicans.

Artwork by Lilly Wachowski, best known as co-director of “The Matrix,” honors 27 transgender people killed last year—and allows the viewer to look them in the eyes.