Stories by Nick Blumberg

A manhunt is underway in Europe for the suspects behind Friday's coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. This weekend, the French military bombed an ISIS stronghold in Syria and French President Francois Hollande earlier today addressed a joint session of the French Parliament. We discuss the attacks and their aftermath with a panel of experts.

Now that controversial Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan is out, what will aldermen do with the watchdog office? We speak to three aldermen about whether the future should be in the hands of Chicago's Inspector General Joe Ferguson or if there's another way to investigate City Council.

A career day for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and tight end Zach Miller in the defeat of the St. Louis Rams. James "Big Cat" Williams is here with his take on the Bears fourth win of the season. 

Winter is coming, which means it’s time to clean up the WTTW organic garden. The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan helps us prepare the garden for winter and plant one last crop.

A report from the City Council Office of the Legislative Inspector General concludes that 29 aldermen took in a total of $282,000 in illegal campaign donations in 2013. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the top stories of the week, including the announcement by the CPD that they have a strong suspect in the murder of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee; state Rep. Ken Dunkin’s decision to break with Democrats again; and medical marijuana’s debut in Illinois.

Multiple state facilities have been closed to the public due to the budget stalemate – legislation passed on Tuesday could change that.

The drones are coming, and on Thursday the City Council debated new rules on where and when they can fly in Chicago. Paris Schutz has the details.

Illinois has been without a budget for almost five months, as lawmakers and Gov. Rauner have been locked in a battle split down party lines. However, one Democrat broke ranks—to the consternation of his colleagues. Is there any hope for compromise on the budget stalemate?

WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling tells us how a huge El Nino in the works could affect the upcoming winter. 

A cancer diagnosis unleashes a whirlwind of emotions and questions for patients and their loved ones. To help them navigate through this trying time, Dr. Ranjana Srivastava, an oncologist and former Chicago resident, shares her knowledge in a new book, “A Cancer Companion: An Oncologist's Advice on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery."

A look at the life of celebrated and controversial architect Frank Gehry, the man behind Chicago's Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

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.

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."

The theatrical piece from European visual artist Gisèle Vienne explores ventriloquist dummies and all the rampant emotions we project onto them.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.