Stories by Nick Blumberg

An Albany Park bar toasts the late painter each week at a colorful event. We went to check out the “happy little trees” at Nighthawk.

From handwritten lyrics to vintage instruments to iconic outfits, a new look at 50 years of the Rolling Stones.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle weigh in on the latest developments in Springfield.

J.B. Pritzker launches his bid for Illinois governor. The U.S. Senate uses the “nuclear option” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. And baseball season gets underway. These stories and more with Paris Schutz and guests. 

A new book tells the stories of people wrongfully convicted of a crime – and how they came to be released.

Amy Dickinson tells us about her new book “Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home.” 

The Emmy Award-winning television host writes about the drastic disparities between black and white Americans in his just-published book. 

How Hardik Bhatt wants to protect state agencies from hackers. 

The American Sports Museum would teach visitors about everything from physics to history. Founder Marc Lapides shares his vision for the space.

Last week’s rate hike is a sign of optimism over growth in the U.S. economy. But how will it impact borrowing, like mortgage and credit card rates?

From gay marriage to contraception: how sex, religion and morality shape U.S. law.

Ten years ago, Chicago real estate bottomed out – and it still hasn’t fully recovered. But depending on what buyers are looking for, there are promising neighborhoods and suburbs all around.

A new exhibition at the Newberry Library features a rarely seen collection of work by a Chicago-area photographer who documented the history of small communities founded by former slaves after the Civil War.

A new program aims to get all arrestees a defense attorney while in police custody.

As the Republican replacement for Obamacare faces political backlash, we take a closer look at how the law might change health coverage.

A place where ducks outnumber people 20 to 1 might not sound like somewhere you’d want to move with your wife and young daughter. But that’s exactly what Chicago author David McAninch did.

Illinois would get slammed with extra Medicaid costs as Republicans rush to repeal Obamacare. Chicago teachers threaten another one-day walkout. And the Bears cut Jay Cutler. 

Jewish community centers around the United States have been forced to evacuate in recent weeks after being targeted by bomb threats. What’s behind the uptick in anti-Semitism?

Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Tony Smith joins Chicago Tonight to talk about changing the state's school funding formula and setting a high bar for students.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Jesse Ruiz on how the district lost its “moral high ground” because of school budget cuts.

Emanuel won’t honor Trump’s rollback of transgender student rights, and Chicago schools will refuse entry to immigration agents without a warrant. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.

In a little more than four weeks, President Donald Trump has shattered presidential conventions, created controversy and legal battles, and energized his base with executive orders aimed at meeting campaign promises.

Another record high temperature in Chicago. How long will spring in February last? 

The governor again pitches changing the workers’ comp system in his budget speech. Where does Illinois stand, and what reforms are on the table?

On Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools and five families of students filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state of Illinois. CPS CEO Forrest Claypool joins us to discuss the suit and the huge budget shortfall facing the district.

The suicide rate among Chicago police officers is reportedly 60 percent higher than the national average. How can the department provide better mental health care?