Stories by Nick Blumberg
Frank Gehry's Career 'Building Art' Explored in New Book
| Nick Blumberg
A look at the life of celebrated and controversial architect Frank Gehry, the man behind Chicago's Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
Viewer Feedback: Nov. 12
| WTTW News
We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Weekend Events: Holiday Shopping, Ventriloquism and '70 Acres in Chicago'
| Chloe Riley
Get a jump on holiday shopping in Wicker Park, hang out with a roomful of dummies and catch a screening of "70 Acres in Chicago: Cabrini Green."
Don't be a 'Dummie': See this European Ventriloquist Performance Before It's Too Late
'The Ventriloquists Convention' at the Museum of Contemporary Art
| Chloe Riley
The theatrical piece from European visual artist Gisèle Vienne explores ventriloquist dummies and all the rampant emotions we project onto them.
Emanuel Announces Increased CHA Support for Homeless Veterans
| Sean Keenehan
As part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to end veteran homelessness in Chicago, Emanuel and the Chicago Housing Authority announce a three-year plan to provide 450 additional housing-choice vouchers for homeless U.S. veterans.
State Rep. Ken Dunkin Breaks Ranks With Democrats Again
| Nick Blumberg
On Tuesday, State Rep. Ken Dunkin was the lone Democratic holdout on two bills that would have reversed changes made to social service programs by the governor. This, despite pleas from child care advocates and the risks associated with going against powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan. Dunkin joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss his decision.
Crain's Roundup: Kroger to Buy Roundy's, Macy’s Considers State Street Makeover
| Alexandra Silets
Cincinnati giant Kroger puts Mariano's on its grocery list, McDonald's has a new recipe for success and Macy's is exploring a State Street redevelopment. Joining us with these stories and more is Crain's Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer.
Chicago War Veterans Focus of New Book
| Eddie Arruza
On this Veterans Day we hear from two men who served their country and are now featured in a new book of remembrances by Chicago-area veterans. The book, “I Remember: Chicago Veterans of War,” features the memories of 50 veterans who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
John Cleese: 'I Can Take Almost Nothing Seriously'
| Marc Vitali
Comedy legend John Cleese talks about the real-life inspiration for "Fawlty Towers" – and tells us why he doesn't think one of his more famous Monty Python skits is all that funny.
Ask Geoffrey: Nov. 11
| Erica Gunderson
Local history expert Geoffrey Baer visits the towering walls on the south lakeshore and a swampy nature area in the middle of an industrial neighborhood in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Online Database Releases Over 56,000 Police Misconduct Complaints
| Evan Garcia
The Citizens Police Data Project went online Tuesday. The searchable database chronicles 56,361 police disciplinary records. Among them, more than 28,000 allegations of misconduct filed against the Chicago Police Department between March 2011 and September 2015, and records on officers repeatedly accused of wrongdoing between 2000 and 2008.
Lawmakers Return to Springfield, Budget Crisis Looms
| Nick Blumberg
The Illinois General Assembly returned to work in Springfield on Tuesday for the first time in three weeks. Amanda Vinicky joins us with the latest.
Father of 20-Year-Old Slain Model Speaks Out
| Paris Schutz
Allen "Nick" Scott is preparing to bury his 20-year-old daughter Kaylyn Pryor on Saturday. The aspiring model was shot and killed last Monday after visiting her grandparents in Englewood.
Bears Beat Chargers 22-19
Cutler leads late comeback, Miller makes amazing TD catch
| Ann Kreiter
An unlikely hero in the Bears come-from-behind thriller in San Diego. James "Big Cat" Williams is here with his take on the Bears third win of the season.
Shedd Aquarium Offers Free Pass for Veterans Day
| Chloe Riley
Veterans who show their military IDs will receive free access to all exhibits at the museum on Wednesday.
Lucas Museum Hits Roadblock, New Court Date Set for February
| Chloe Riley
A federal judge on Tuesday did not dismiss legal challenges against the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Communities Drive Effort to Consolidate Select Chicago Public Schools
| Brandis Friedman
Several Chicago Public Schools could be consolidating with neighboring schools, if residents in at least two Chicago communities are able to convince the district to take action. Brandis Friemdan has the details on a proposed merger that residents on the Near North Side have been considering.
Physicist Lisa Randall Connects Dark Matter to Dinosaur Extinction
| Paul Caine
Dark matter: we can't see it, but it's believed to make up 85 percent of all matter in the universe and without it we almost certainly wouldn't be here. Particle physicist and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Randall joins us to discuss her new book "Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe."
Joshua Bell Joins 'Chicago Tonight' for Conversation, Performance
| Marc Vitali
Joshua Bell has been a violin virtuoso since he was teenager in Bloomington, Indiana back in the 1980s. He talks with "Chicago Tonight" about his early years, the greatness of the Stradivarius and his favorite collaborators in this encore presentation. He'll also treat us to a live performance with pianist Sam Haywood.
Chicago Tonight Puzzle Official Rules
| WTTW News
Official rules for the Chicago Tonight Puzzle Challenge.
Medical Marijuana Sales Begin in Illinois
| Paris Schutz
Today is the first day of medical marijuana sales in Illinois. Who is buying, who is selling, and is the program here to stay? Paris Schutz has the latest.
Feds: Transgender Student Should Have Access to Locker Room
| Paul Caine
The U.S. Department of Education ruled that Palatine Township High School District 211 violated a transgender student's right not to be discriminated against when it refused the student unfettered access to the girls' locker room.
Community Unites to Combat Violence on Chicago's West Side
| Eddie Arruza
The violence in Chicago continues to spark rage and national headlines. Last week it was the murder of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee, then 20-year-old Kaylyn Pryor, an aspiring model, was gunned down. This weekend 14-year-old J-Quantae Riles was killed. Eddie Arruza reports on steps being taken on the city’s West Side to combat the violence.
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