Stories by Nick Blumberg

The award-winning author discusses his latest book–also the newest One Book, One Chicago selection–a sweeping history of his hometown, subtitled "When Chicago Built the American Dream."

Chicago is not defined solely by its human residents. It’s a city with a living, evolving "ecological web of interactions" between man and animal, according to Gavin Van Horn. He joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about "City Creatures," a book which details urban wildlife history through essays, poetry, photography and paintings.

Former U.S. Rep. Augustus "Gus" Savage died Saturday, one day after his 90th birthday. Savage, who was born in Detroit and raised in Chicago, was a controversial public figure whose career spanned journalism, publishing, politics and activism. Services are set for Saturday in Chicago.

Chicago teachers begin steps toward another possible teachers strike, as Chicago Public Schools announce big layoffs on the horizon.

Last month, Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich took part in Pope Francis' synod on the family. Cupich joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss the synod, as well as his private meeting with Pope Francis earlier this year and other issues facing the modern church.

Open enrollment has just begun for health care insurance under the Affordable Care Act. As President Obama's signature health care reform enters its third year, we assess the impact of the ACA on health care provision in Illinois.

On a day quarterback Jay Cutler continued his solid play and a patchwork offensive line managed to provide him decent protection, it was the Bears defense that ruined the mood at sunny Soldier Field. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his take on the game.

Teller, the usually silent half of magic duo Penn and Teller, speaks his mind about the production of "The Tempest" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in which he weaves stage illusions into the story of an exiled duke who uses the supernatural world to protect his daughter.

International literary critic Jessa Crispin–once a frequent reviewer of books on "Chicago Tonight" as the author of the online magazine Bookslut–has written her first book, a memoir. She joins us on Monday for a discussion of the book, her favorite European cities and her take on Harper Lee's latest.

The distinguished museum opens its mind to the power of suggestion. And it hopes the hip kids will come.

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the guilty plea of Dennis Hastert in a mysterious hush-money case, reports of a federal investigation surrounding Cook County Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, the mayor's budget that sailed through City Council, and other top stories of the week.

What will you do this Halloweekend? Check out this roundup of scary fun events.

After a monthslong shutdown following an embankment collapse, the CTA Yellow Line will reopen Friday and provide free rides from its Dempster-Skokie and Oakton stations, the CTA announced.

For years, the Cook County facility that houses juvenile delinquents was under the control of the federal government. Today it was handed back to the county, and "Chicago Tonight" was there. Join us for an exclusive look inside the facility as it marks a new beginning.

Cook County Court Clerk Dorothy Brown joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss losing her endorsement from the county's Democratic Party and an apparent federal investigation into her office. 

In the third prime-time meeting of Republican presidential aspirants, the biggest loser of the evening appeared to be cable financial news network CNBC, which was roundly criticized by participants and observers for getting started late and for the way moderators handled the proceedings. Political communications expert Jason DeSanto joins "Chicago Tonight" to analyze the debate.

Hot dogs, bacon and other processed meats can cause cancer as well as red meats, according to a new report by the World Health Organization’s research division. How much is too much? We discuss the findings with a dietician and a professor whose research focuses on meat sciences.

Jay Shefsky has introduced "Chicago Tonight" viewers to a wide variety of everyday Chicagoans, such as 96-year-old Evanston painter Peggy Lipschutz and beehive rescuer Dan Parizek. Now, more than 50 of Jay’s stories have been collected into season three of "Jay’s Chicago," which premieres Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on WTTW11. Jay joins us to talk more about his upcoming season.

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.

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert pleads guilty to federal charges connected to a hush-money scheme. Did anything else come to light about this mysterious case?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's record $588 million property tax hike sailed through the City Council today with only 15 aldermen voting against it. The hike is the centerpiece of Emanuel's bad news budget that imposes additional taxes and fees. We speak with a panel of aldermen about the budget and how they voted.

After weeks of public debate, rallies and demonstrations, the Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday approved two new charter schools out of 13 that applied.

The Bears and City Hall strike a deal on the Lucas Museum, Chicago-based Walgreens wants to buy a rival and the Bulls go international for sponsorship deals. We’ll discuss these stories and other top business headlines of the week with Crain’s Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer.