Stories by Nick Blumberg
Caitlin Doughty Wants You to Have a ‘Good Death’
| Nick Blumberg
Mortician, author and death acceptance activist Caitlin Doughty thinks American attitudes toward death are, by and large, “toxic.”
Can William Shatner Help Chicago Land Amazon’s HQ2?
| Eddie Arruza
Chicago’s bid to land Amazon’s much-coveted HQ2 has taken on a sci-fi element.
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Harassment in Springfield and Beyond
| Evan Garcia
Are we seeing a societal sea change when it comes to sexual harassment?
Rauner Rebuked on Vetoes, But Scores a Major Win
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois legislators on Wednesday dealt Governor Bruce Rauner a series of blows, but the House failed by a single vote to override his veto of a measure that would ban municipalities from creating right-to-work zones.
Trump Declaring Opioid National Emergency Could be ‘Game Changer’
| Matt Masterson
As opioid overdose deaths continue to rise, President Donald Trump on Thursday is expected to declare the ongoing epidemic as a “national emergency.”
Tom Dart, Kim Foxx Warn County Against Steep Budget Cuts
| Paris Schutz
With the repeal of the soda tax, Cook County officials are now searching for ways to erase a $200 million shortfall in next year’s county budget.
Baby Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat Debuts at Brookfield Zoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
One of Brookfield Zoo’s newest tenants recently emerged from her mom’s pouch and can now be seen at the zoo’s Australia House.
Study: Tiny Mammal Survives Winter by Shrinking Skull, Brain
| Paul Caine
University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin returns for another review of stories making headlines in the world of science.
Ask Geoffrey: What Are Those Faces on Michigan Avenue?
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer gets eye-to-eye with some sky-high building ornament and gets beneath the surface of a towering metal figure in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Author John Feinstein on Golf’s ‘First Major’
| Nick Blumberg
The inside story of American golf greats looking for vindication in one of the game’s top tournaments.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 26-31
| Rebecca Palmore
Halloween fun, sugar skulls and chocolate treats, vintage treasures and cutting-edge technology usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Lawmakers Could Undergo Sexual Harassment Training
| Amanda Vinicky
An open letter details sexual harassment in state political circles as lawmakers return to Springfield for the fall veto session.
New Guidebook Highlights 111 Unique Chicago Attractions
| Andrea Guthmann
Meet Amy Bizzarri, the author of a new guidebook highlighting the unusual, unknown and often hidden side of Chicago.
Chicago Winter Could Be Mild, Wet … or Neither
| Nick Blumberg
Weather forecasts say Chicago might see a third straight mild winter. Will that prediction pan out?
As Homicides Leave Behind Families in Pain, Chicago Nonprofit Steps Up
| Jay Shefsky
A nonprofit offers free emotional and practical support to Chicagoans who lose loved ones to homicide.
Going Cashless May Be the Future, But Not Soon For Most Businesses
| Paul Caine
Why accepting cash could become a thing of the past. The growing trend for businesses to go cashless.
CPS Watchdog Blows Whistle on Hiring Off ‘Do Not Hire’ List
| Alexandra Silets
Were children put in danger when Chicago Public Schools charter schools hired 163 former CPS employees on a “do not hire” list? Chicago Board of Education Inspector General Nicholas Schuler joins us.
Durbin Co-Sponsors Bill to Bolster Environmental Justice Efforts
| Alex Ruppenthal
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is among a handful of legislators behind a bill that would strengthen legal protections for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental threats.
More Details Emerge About Chicago’s Bid for Amazon’s HQ2
| Brandis Friedman
Just what are the city and state willing to do to bring an online giant to Chicago?
Chicago Aldermen Discuss City Budget, Fiscal Priorities
| Nick Blumberg
City budget hearings are underway. A panel of aldermen joins us with their take on the city budget and Chicago’s long-term fiscal health.
Trading Places: Former Export-Import Bank Chair Discusses Trade
| Andrea Guthmann
Fred Hochberg, the former head of the nation's Export-Import Bank, shares his thoughts on free trade under an administration that puts America first.
Pianist Ludovico Einaudi on His ‘Elegy for the Arctic’
| Marc Vitali
Meet the Italian composer and pianist who traveled to the Arctic Ocean to make music—and make a point.
The Last Printer on Printers Row Fights to Survive
| Evan Garcia
We visit Palmer Printing, the sole remnant of a once-vibrant printing industry in the South Loop.
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