Stories by Nick Blumberg
Eyes on Security at Wrigley Field, Other Potential Chicago Targets
| Nick Blumberg
Recent terror attacks in Manchester and London have cities with high-profile public targets eyeing their security for potential vulnerabilities.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: June 8-11
| Maya Miller
Live blues, lit wits, neighborhood festivals and ribs galore usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Chicago Park District Eyes Record for World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago swimmers are invited to participate in an international event this month that highlights the role of swim lessons in preventing drowning.
Colorful White Sox Broadcaster, MLB Vet Jimmy Piersall Dies
| Jay Smith
When Jimmy Piersall joined the Chicago White Sox broadcast booth in 1977, no one had ever heard anyone like him on the air. Colorful and brash, Piersall took the concept of “telling it like it is” to a new level.
Judge to Decide Which Bills Get Paid First
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois government is sitting on $14.68 billion of bills it can’t afford to pay, and providers of Medicaid are suing to get to the front of the line.
Zeshan B Puts a South Asian Twist on Classic American Soul
| Jay Shefsky
Meet Lombard native Zeshan Bagewadi—known as Zeshan B—who sings classic soul covers and originals with a big, opera-trained voice.
Exit Interview with Alex Holt, Chicago Budget Director
| Alexandra Silets
A look at the city’s past, present and fiscal future with the outgoing city budget director who is stepping down after six years.
Chance the Rapper to Receive Humanitarian Award for CPS Work
| Matt Masterson
After winning three Grammys and making national headlines this year for his contributions to the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago-born Chance the Rapper is set to receive another award later this month.
Calls to 911 Drop by Tens of Thousands in First Quarter of 2017
| Maya Miller
A significant decrease in calls to Chicago 911 emergency services is not matched by an overall decline in crime. We take a look at the numbers.
Chicago Fights Summer ‘Brain Drain’ With Superhero Science
| Alex Ruppenthal
With the end of the school year just weeks away, the Museum of Science and Industry is calling on Chicago’s “kid superheroes” to unite and defeat summer’s top villain: the “evil Dr. Brain Drain.”
Catchy Ringtone Offers Upbeat Reminder of Immigrants’ Rights
| Maya Miller
As concerns over deportation rise in many immigrant communities, a local union has found a unique way to spread an educational message.
A Growing Line to Buy the Chicago Sun-Times
| Amanda Vinicky
The Chicago Sun-Times is for sale, and Tronc—the parent company of the Chicago Tribune—has already signaled an intent to buy the paper. But the Department of Justice is giving others an opportunity to get in on the action.
Chicago Cabbies Say They Are ‘Run Off the Road’ By Uber, Lyft
| Brandis Friedman
Is the cab industry in Chicago collapsing? Cab drivers say their industry is being decimated by ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft flooding the market.
A ‘Perfect Storm’ Brewing on Chicago’s North Side
| Nicole Cardos
A local chamber of commerce has rebranded a Chicago neighborhood as Malt Row, where it says you’ll find the greatest concentration of microbreweries in the city.
The Illinois Senate Passed a Budget. Will the House Follow Suit?
| Evan Garcia
The Illinois General Assembly has blown a May 31 spring session deadline. So now what? We discuss the Springfield budget battle with state Sens. Heather Steans and Chris Nybo.
Chicago Among 211 Cities Pledging to Uphold Paris Climate Agreement
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago, Pittsburgh and dozens of other U.S. cities are standing by Paris despite President Donald Trump’s announcement last week that he will withdraw the U.S. from the landmark climate change agreement.
Music Education Class Sets the Tone for Bright Futures
| Maya Miller
Can the violin lower student dropout rates? A classically trained musician and a social worker think music lessons have the power to inspire change.
Urban Nature: ‘The Intricate Ecology … of Vacant Lots’
| WTTW News
Vacant city lots are often dismissed as derelict urban eyesores, but now some environmentalists are viewing these empty spaces as ecological opportunities.
Hyde Park Home an Alternative to Detention for Refugees, Asylum Seekers
| Maya Miller
The Marie Joseph House of Hospitality for Women in Hyde Park houses 10 asylum seekers and refugees. Thanks to a unique partnership with ICE, women who would otherwise be in detention facilities live in the co-op style home.
Historical Happy Hour: A Toast to Bertha Palmer
| Erica Gunderson
Chicago loves its history as much as its hooch, so we’re back for another round of cocktails that celebrate Chicago’s finest – or most infamous, and we’re kicking the series off with the undisputed queen of Chicago society.
Rauner Says Elected School Board Bill is ‘Political Spin’
| Matt Masterson
Gov. Bruce Rauner reiterated his opposition Friday to a bill that would give Chicago an elected Board of Education, calling the measure “political spin” – a statement one of the legislation’s chief sponsors described as “ridiculous.”
The Week in Review: Lawmakers Fail to Pass Budget
| Alexandra Silets
No budget for a third consecutive year. J.B. Pritzker caught on FBI tapes seeking a political appointment. And will Tiger Woods’ DUI derail his Chicago golf course plans? These stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.
Shedd Aquarium Team Cares for Abandoned Sea Otter Pup in Alaska
| Alex Ruppenthal
On a mission from Chicago, two Shedd Aquarium staffers have been providing around-the-clock care for a sea otter pup rescued in Alaska.
Looking for Love? Local Experts Say ‘Get to Work’
| Maya Miller
In a culture where swiping left and right has become part of the dating ritual, a local clinical psychologist and her former student have some advice: get to work.
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