Stories by Nick Blumberg

State lawmakers want to make it easier for students to skip the PARCC test by introducing a new bill to opt out of standardized testing.

The Chicago Plan Commission has OK’d an Obama Library on public parkland.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday the removal of 50 red light cameras at 25 intersections where the number of crashes has fallen. 

Paris Schutz and his panel of journalists discuss the mayoral runoff campaign, CPS’ decision to mandate all schools participate in PARCC testing, the Cubs' request for expanded construction hours, and the Blackhawks' off-ice-drama centering around rumors about Patrick Sharp.

Paris Schutz and his panel of journalists discuss the ethics probe that threatens to derail U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's career.

Mayoral candidate Jesús "Chuy" García says he’d abolish the city’s red light camera program if he’s elected mayor. But how would he make up the revenue?

The School Project is a Chicago-based documentary series that is tracking the past and present status of the city's public school system. The third segment explores school disciplinary policies and the effects they have on students, the community, and society as a whole.

McDonald's is making some sizable changes to its menu hoping to lure more health-conscious consumers. We hear the latest from Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Peter Frost.

We share what you had to say about PARCC testing and Steppenwolf Theatre's This is Modern Art in tonight's viewer feedback.

Preservation Chicago released today its annual list of seven buildings in Chicago that may be in danger of demolition, and one of them isn’t a building.

Willie Wilson was scheduled to appear on tonight’s broadcast of Chicago Tonight, but he cancelled his appearance. Wilson told us that he could not come on the show because he was meeting with both mayoral candidates.

Is there a kinder, contrite Mayor Rahm Emanuel?  A new push by the mayor to soften his image comes in the face of criticism about his personal style. This, the state budget, and the ongoing controversy over the Obama Library are taking center stage in the campaign for mayor today. 

Caltech Astrophysicist Mike Brown was one of the scientists who, in 2006, led the successful crusade to get the former planet Pluto downgraded to the status of dwarf planet. He joins us to discuss what he's found far, far away in our solar system.

Over the weekend, students from 13 Illinois high school students competed for their chance to represent Illinois in a national cooking competition. The budding "cheftestants" may be only high school students now, but with the help of the ProStart Invitational competition, they can hope to be the next Grant Achatz or Stephanie Izard.

David Axelrod has had a long and storied career as a political consultant. His new memoir, Believer: My Forty Years in Politics covers not just his time working for President Obama in the White House, but also delves into his personal struggle in dealing with his father's death, his early career, and family life. Axelrod joins us to discuss his work and political musings.

A new play at Steppenwolf Theatre has sparked a heated conversation -- precisely what the creators wanted. Based on the 2010 graffiti "bombing" of the then-relatively new Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago, This Is Modern Art tells the story of the graffiti crew that carried out the event, but it also poses questions about the creation of art and who qualifies as an artist. 

We share what you had to say about last week's elections, Teach For America's recruiting troubles, and Pullman Historic District's designation as a national park in tonight's viewer feedback.

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the rating on the city of Chicago’s $8.3 billion in general obligation debt to Baa2 from Baa1 on Friday, Feb. 27. 

The Obama Library and the city's beleaguered credit rating take center stage in the mayoral race, as a new poll shows Rahm Emanuel and Jesús "Chuy" García are in a dead heat.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced this morning that the district will, in fact, administer the PARCC test to all required grades, rather than 10 percent of schools as previously planned. We have the details.

White Sox great Minnie Miñoso, Chicago's first black major league player, died this Sunday. Professor Adrian Burgos Jr., who specializes in Latin American studies and baseball at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, joins us to discuss Miñoso's legacy.