Stories by Nick Blumberg

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed another executive order Thursday morning, this one requiring that the state of Illinois publish the names of political hires. Rauner accused the Quinn administration of carrying on in the tradition of imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson joins us with the latest on government oversight in Chicago.

Jeremy Josse has worked in the financial services sector for more than 20 years and has always looked to explore the philosophical paradoxes within the industry. In his new book, Josse examines financial conundrums and economic concepts we accept at face value in a series of philosophical case studies.

The Second City is accepting applications for its Bob Curry Fellowship, which is named after the first African-American Second City performer. We revisit our story about the fellowship’s inaugural class.

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Founder and Artistic Director Blair Thomas tells us about the first Chicago festival to celebrate puppetry in its many forms.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Day 2 of Hearings on Obama Library Location Could Aldermanic Races Reshape City Council? From Undocumented Child to Federal Judge Ask Geoffrey: 1/14 NASA Astronaut Col. Mike Hopkins

Chicago residents got another chance today to sound off on whether or not they support an Obama Presidential Library on protected parkland. Vote in our poll.

Aldermanic races around the city are heating up, with candidates getting kicked off the ballot, charges of intimidation, and packed fields of contenders. With less than six weeks until the municipal election, we check in on some of the races with our panel.

From an undocumented child to a federal judge, Manuel Barbosa joins us to discuss his own incredible migrant story he recounts in his autobiographical new book, The Littlest Wetback.

Geoffrey Baer gets the cold, hard truth on why the Chicago River doesn't freeze over even during Chicago's bitter winters in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

NASA astronaut Col. Mike Hopkins belongs to the very exclusive group of just 215 people who have visited the International Space Station (ISS). But Col. Hopkins distinguished himself during his time on the ISS in a couple of memorable ways. We revisit a conversation with Hopkins.

Public Hearing on Obama Library Location New Governor, New Illinois? Author Wes Moore On Finding His Life's Work Welcome to the World of Mr. Imagination "Big Bang Machine"

City officials face the public on whether an Obama Presidential Library should locate in a south side park. Vote in our poll.

It's official. Bruce Rauner is the 42nd Governor of Illinois. What will be his first steps as governor and how will he begin to rein in the crippling debt the state has become known for? We discuss this and more with our panel.

Wes Moore is a Rhodes scholar, combat veteran, and nonprofit executive. In his new book, The Work: My Search For a Life That Matters, Moore writes about how his widely varied life experiences helped shape who he is, and how the lessons he learned can help us find a sense of purpose.

Meet the self-taught Chicago artist who could make dazzling art out of anything he found. Known as Mr. Imagination, he turned bottlecaps, mirrors, and scraps of wood into delightfully original works of art.

A NOVA special called Big Bang Machine about the Large Hadron Collider airs at 9:00 pm Wednesday on WTTW11. Don Lincoln, one of the top scientists from the documentary, joins us to discuss the role of Fermilab -- located just outside of Chicago -- in the experiments at CERN in Switzerland.

Rauner Sworn In as Illinois Governor Appointed vs. Elected School Board Out of Jail, Back to School Rethinking Retirement and the Golden Years Bass Guitars Homemade in Chicago and Played Around the World

Bruce Rauner takes the oath of office as Illinois’ 42nd governor. Paris Schutz has more on what Rauner said during his inaugural address.

Over the weekend, Bruce Rauner announced a series of cabinet secretary, agency director and boards and commission appointments.

Should Chicago have an elected school board? The issue separates Mayor Rahm Emanuel from his challengers. And voters from 38 wards will have a chance to weigh in on Feb. 24 when they can vote on an advisory referendum. We take a closer look.

Whether it’s been 10 years or 30 years since they dropped out of high school, men and women who went on to serve time in jail or prison are finally getting their diplomas. We explain how programs like St. Leonard’s Ministries are getting help from Cook County to keep people out of jail and reduce violence.

Some may characterize the years following retirement as relaxing and blissfully uneventful. Author Chris Farrell challenges that interpretation with his book Unretirement: How Baby Boomers Are Changing the Way We Think About Work, Community and the Good Life. He joins us.

Lakland Guitars has made an impact in their 20 years in Chicago. Their instruments are played in U2 and the Rolling Stones. Chicago Tonight goes behind-the-scenes to find out what it takes to make an electric bass that can bring a bottom-heavy sound to a band's rhythm section.

We share what you had to say about the great pension debate and schools closing due to cold weather in tonight's viewer feedback.