Seattle Now

This week… Seattle Public Schools is grappling with a budget shortfall that will potentially close 20 schools. KUOW found out who was spearheading the effort to put a children’s playground next to the historically queer nude beach at Denny Blaine Park. And pass the butter - a Seattle event called “Gays Eating Garlic Bread” went viral and drew over 100 people looking to make some friends. Freelance Arts Reporter Jas Keimig and Your Last Meal Podcast Host Rachel Belle are here to break down the week.

Murder trial begins for Auburn cop, a Seattle woman's $250,000 cello is stolen from her home, and Marymoor announces its summer concert lineup. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

It is no surprise that it’s hard to buy a house in Seattle, but it's gotten even harder for many as interest rates and housing prices have soared. That means would-be home buyers are increasingly leaving the city, the metro area, and sometimes even the state. Seattle Times journalist Paul Roberts is here to tell us about his reporting on this trend and the calculus homebuyers are making.

UW opens new psychiatric unit, Microsoft's emissions are way up, and some buses in WA now run on hydrogen. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Seattle Public Schools is looking to close more than 20 elementary schools, in order to help solve its massive budget problems. The district is facing a $105 million shortfall this year, and enrollment is declining. We talk with Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University about why the district's budget is in such bad shape, and the implications for closing schools.

King County raises the minimum wage, UW academic workers go on strike, and karaoke joint Bush Garden enters a new chapter. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The Seattle Storm kicks off their 25th season tonight at Climate Pledge Arena. The team is looking to improve after a disappointing season last year, as the entire WNBA preps for a huge new wave of viewership and attendance in what could be its biggest season ever. Seattle Now Sports Correspondent Vaughan Jones is here to tell us more about the new and improved Storm lineup, and what to look forward to this WNBA season.

Melinda French Gates exits the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, most Seattle area households now have AC, and a new UW study looks into magic mushrooms. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

"Rainier: A Beer Odyssey" tells the story of Rainier's iconic advertising campaign and the way the brand was shaped by Seattle of the 70s and shaped the city in return. The documentary premiers at SIFF May 13.

Burien homelessness debate reaches new fever pitch, WA farmworkers sue feds over pay disparities, and some UW staff join campus protests. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

This week… Seattle is home to some of the most profitable companies on earth. But, even companies like Amazon and Starbucks are experiencing a shift in the world of labor. More workers are joining unions, and remote and hybrid work is becoming the norm for white-collar office jobs. What is the future of work in Seattle? We’re giving you a taste of our Seattle Now live event, all about the future of work, in case you weren’t there to witness it in person. Author and speaker Jodi-Ann Burey and KUOW Labor and Economy Reporter Monica Nickelsburg are here to break it all down.

WA is suing the Seattle Archdiocese, Seattle will open a post-overdose recovery center, and WA will get $1.2 billion for internet expansion. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The 50th Seattle International Film festival kicks off today. Despite many uit’s still the main venue for seeing international and independent films here in the city. SIFF artistic director Beth Barret spoke with Jeannie Yandel about this year’s festival… and Seattle’s place in the international film scene.

20 Seattle elementary schools could close, the city is suing the loud driver known as the “Belltown Hellcat,” and extra low tides are coming to Puget Sound. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

As artificial intelligence has taken off, so have concerns about students using it to cheat. But now, Washington state officials are encouraging schools to embrace AI, leaving Seattle area teachers trying to find the right approach in the classroom. We’ll chat with KUOW Education Reporter Sami West and hear some of her reporting.

President Biden to visit Seattle on Friday, Boeing delays Starliner space launch, and Seattle could hit 80 degrees this weekend. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Hundreds of people seeking asylum in the United States have been moving around South King County for months. Now many of them are living in tents in a park near Garfield High School. Neighbors are trying to help, but say the situation is untenable. We’ll talk with KUOW reporter Gustavo Sagrero about how we got here and what long-term solutions are on the table.

FAA opens another investigation into Boeing, Tiffany Smiley is running for Congress, and PSE says it could shut off power during wildfires. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Spring is well and truly underway, which means it’s mushroom hunting season in the woods in and around Seattle. Today on the show we take a trip to a local forest to learn some basics of the art of mushroom foraging. Daniel Winkler is a professional mushroom forager and author of "Fruits of the Forest: A Field Guide to Pacific Northwest Edible Mushrooms."

Harrell proposes $1.4 billion transpo levy, candidates for Governor weigh in on campus protests, and boating season opens this weekend. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week… It’s been a weird week for animals in the Seattle area. Keep a lookout for zebras near North Bend. Car thefts in Washington have been skyrocketing over the past few years, so also keep an eye on your Kia. And the Washington State Department of Transportation has a new employee: a drone designed to take down hard-to-reach graffiti. Author Geraldine DeRuiter and Too Beautiful To Live Podcast Host Andrew Walsh are here to break down the week.

Washington is running out of electricity, a new migrant camp in the Central District, and that zebra is still on the loose in North Bend.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has put public safety at the forefront of his administration. This week, he held the first in a series of public safety forums to hear from community members about their concerns. KUOW reporter Casey Martin tells us about the mayor's plans

Investigator to look into harassment claims at SPD, WA gets a failing grade for air quality, and Seattle says no to an affordable housing plan. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Vietnamese food and Seattle go together as seamlessly as pho broth and a squeeze of lime. For over forty years, the city has been a culinary hub for Vietnamese dishes, and things are only getting started. Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh is here to talk about it.

SPD officers vote to approve their new contract, oil tanker traffic to increase in the Salish Sea, and the runaway zebra is still on the loose. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Eastside residents and workers have a brand new option getting around, because Light Rail has finally arrived. Sound Transit’s 2-Line opened on Saturday – which connects Bellevue and Redmond. Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom tells us about the impact for Eastside commuters – and what lies ahead for Sound Transit.

UW students establish protest encampment, escaped WA prisoner is still missing, and the Kraken fire their head coach. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Grizzly bears are coming back to Washington thanks to a new plan from federal wildlife agencies. Local ecologists are celebrating the move as a correction to the bears being driven from the state due to human hunting and trapping. But not everyone is happy with the move, particularly in rural communities of North Central Washington. We dig into the reintroduction and the tension it’s causing with ecologist Chris Morgan and US Representative Dan Newhouse.

Seattle wants to roll back pay boost for gig workers, four women officers sue SPD, and light rail comes to the Eastside this weekend. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week… The 2 Line’s grand opening is bringing Light Rail to the Eastside. We get a look into how Boeing’s finances have been affected by constant controversy. And the Kraken are looking to bring hockey to the masses by moving away from cable TV. Ticket Editor Chase Burns and Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh are here to break down the week.

Grizzlies will be reintroduced to the North Cascades, WA's high capacity magazine ban remains in place, and the Kraken strike a new TV deal. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The emerald city owes much of its greenery to street trees, planted along sidewalks and public roads. These trees show up in unexpected places and sometimes have even more unexpected stories Author Taha Ebrahimi Street Trees of Seattle

Starbucks and unionized workers resume contract talks, Boeing announces huge financial losses, and Sue Bird joins the Seattle Storm ownership group. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

It may be April 2024, but a lot of soccer lovers are looking ahead to the summer of 2026, when Seattle hosts six World Cup matches. By the time the World Cup is done, almost a million people will have come to Seattle to see the beautiful game in person. The city is already planning. It’s early, but here’s a lot of work to be done to ensure it goes smoothly. Seattle Now Sports Correspondent Vaughan Jones is here to talk about it.

Students walk out to protest war in Gaza, WA hospitals are still losing money, and it's about to get cheaper to buy an electric vehicle. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The Seattle region loves to read.

EPA to fund solar projects in WA, fired Google workers speak out, and a PNW homelessness case goes before SCOTUS. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case this morning on homelessness. It could have a big impact on how cities in our region respond to the homelessness crisis. That’s particularly true for areas like Burien, which have banned public camping. We’ll get the story from public radio reporter Jane Vaughan, who’s following every twist and turn.

Chaos erupts at state GOP convention, UW researchers make an autism discovery, and environmentalists urge federal officials to save a pair of NW species. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week… Some well-loved Seattle businesses are coming back from the dead as co-ops or collectives. Residents of the town of Carnation came to Seattle to say they’re fed up with false alarms at the Seattle-run Tolt River Dam. And you’ve heard of the Seattle Freeze… but are you Seattle Smug? KUOW’s Director of Community Engagement Zaki Hamid and Seattle Now Producer Clare McGrane are here to break down the week.

Campaign to repeal WA's climate law facing official opposition, Mayor Harrell proposes law to demolish unsafe, vacant buildings, and the Seattle Storm unveil their new training facility. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

City planners want Seattle to become a “15 minute city” – where you can walk to everything you need in your neighborhood. Well now there’s a new interactive map that can tell you just how walkable your neighborhood is. Paige Browning speaks with the map's creator, Nat Henry.

Senate hears testimony on Boeing's eroding safety culture, Seattle's facing a massive budget hole, and SIFF unveils the lineup for its 50th film festival. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The Black Panther Party’s Seattle chapter is drumming up new plans, more than 40 years after it disbanded. A group devoted to preserving Black Panther history plans to open a museum in Pioneer Square early next year, bringing attention to the ways the Panthers influenced Seattle then, and still do now. Seattle Times Race and Equity Reporter Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks is here to tell us about it, with some help from Elmer Dixon, a founding member of Seattle’s Black Panther chapter.

Major increase in antisemitic incidents in WA, officials call for a statewide drought emergency, and Seattle's getting a new arts venue downtown. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

A new community garden is in the works in Shoreline. It all started with a Canlis chef and some spectacular fruit trees. Patricia Murphy has the story on the garden’s unlikely path to a shared community P-Patch from some of people who made it happen.

Fire destroys businesses in Snoqualmie, high school seniors will get a break on some graduation requirements, and rural jails in WA are facing big challenges. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Seattle is a super dog-friendly city, so it may surprise you to hear that local shelters are overflowing with pups in need of homes.

Supportive housing for Native Americans opens in Seattle, another "exceptional" tree is cut down, and Be’er Sheva Park is having its grand reopening this weekend. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna.

This week… Our personal data is in the hands of a lot of companies. Two Washington lawmakers reached across the aisle to propose national data security laws. Furry friends rejoice, five new dog parks are coming to Seattle. And we take a crack at naming Washington State University’s newest apple, and you can too. Author Jodi-Ann Burey and Editor of the Needling Lex Vaughn are here to break down the week.

Seattle has a new plan to hire more cops, library branches to close intermittently, and Chipotle will pay up for violating worker protections. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna.

The City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Officers Guild have a tentative agreement on a contract. It includes large retroactive raises for officers, and some changes to accountability. Publicola Editor and Publisher Erica C. Barnett is here to explain what’s in it, and what it says about Seattle’s relationship with its police force.

Another business flees Pacific Place, King County's public health clinics could close without a budget fix, and a proposed solar project on San Juan Island is getting pushback. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna

Monday is tax daySo today.. In recognition of Monday’s tax deadline… we’re talking finance 101 in our expensive region. Financial coach Suzanne Klenck has some words of wisdom, and some tips to get started if planning sounds daunting.

High capacity magazine ban remains in place for now, Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers join forces on data privacy, and WA's newest apple is looking for a name. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This has been a year full of problems for Boeing. How did it get this way? Can the company change? Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates gives us context.

Guaranteed basic income pilot shows strong results, more 737 issues pile up for Boeing, and dogs are getting sick at a Renton park. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Washington workers lose millions of dollars each year to wage theft: They’re just not paid for work they did. A new investigation from the Seattle Times finds many of those workers aren’t getting their money back, in part because of challenges with our state’s department of Labor and Industries. The total amount owed since 2 Seattle Times journalists Taylor Blatchford and Jackie Varriano break it down for us today.

SPD's new union contract is made public, solar eclipse will only by partially visible in WA, and it's the 30th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week… Should Pike Place Market be pedestrian-only? Seattle City Council is reigniting that debate for the thousandth time. Amazon is moving away from its “Just Walk Out” technology, which isn’t as futuristic as it seems. And remember in 1989, when the Space Needle collapsed? We look back on one of Seattle’s most infamous April Fools’ jokes. Author Geraldine DeRuiter and South Seattle Emerald Founder Marcus Harrison Green are here to break down the week.

Light rail will reach Lynnwood by August, Seattle gets new school board members, and Mayor Harrell announces a $1.35 billon transportation levy. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Odds are you know someone with ADHD, even though you might not realize it. Lots more people have been diagnosed in the past few years and that’s making it hard for some to get vital medication. ADHD advocate and author Jessica McCabe is excited about the shifting dialogue, but not so much about the shortages many people locally are experiencing. She has tips to help manage ADHD with or without medication.

City hall workers told to return to the office, Amazon announces more layoffs, and two Seattle radio stations flip to country music. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

You may have noticed your Doordash order got even more expensive. The Seattle City Council says it’s working on it. A minimum wage law for gig workers went into effect in January, and this more business-friendly council is already reconsidering. Seattle Times City Hall Reporter David Kroman is here to talk about it.

City breaks ground on East Marginal Way improvements, costs soar to keep people in WA prisons, and Seattle cops would get big raises under proposed contract. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Orcas have a long special history in the Pacific Northwest. New research shows that the two types of killer whales that frequent Puget Sound are actually two distinct species. We’ll talk with Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes about what this means for the conservation of the endangered southern residents.

SPD reaches tentative contract deal with Seattle, PNW honey bees are at risk of colony collapse, and WA wants to cut food waste in half by 2050. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Last week, Chihuly Garden and Glass shattered its museum’s ceiling to celebrate Women’s History Month… Just kidding! Happy April Fools’ Day. That was a recent headline from The Needling, Seattle's only real fake news site. We love a good self-deprecating joke around here, and Needling stories provide plenty. They also give us a chance to look at the city in a different way. Needling editor Lex Vaughan is here to talk about what Seattle finds funny, and what that says about us.

Governor Inslee signs his final bill, Pike Place Market wants to entice locals, and reservations open soon for Mount Rainier National Park. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week… The City Council is weighing whether or not to keep paying app-based delivery drivers a minimum wage. The Mariners are back, along with some fun new food! And if you’re not a member, your time is running out to get a delicious cheap hot dog at the Costco food court. Too Beautiful To Live Podcast Co-Host Andrew Walsh and Your Last Meal Podcast Host Rachel Belle are here to break down the week.

Plan to close youth jail delayed, Burien sues King County over public camping ban, and Seattle sets a tourism record. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

It was a contentious off-season for the Mariners, but Opening Day of baseball today… Hot dogs, beer and complicated emotions are in Seattle’s future. Whether you’re a die-hard or a casual fan, there’s plenty to be excited about with this year’s Mariners team. Seattle Now Producer and baseball superfan Vaughan Jones is here to talk about it.

Climate protesters block Amazon's downtown entrance, Inslee signs law to prevent school abuse, and a non-profit works to wipe away medical debt. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the U.S. Among men under 50, it’s the number one cause of cancer deaths. And today, we’re talking about a new blood test that could save lives. Researchers at Seattle’s Fred Hutch Cancer Center have co-authored a new study for a blood test that can accurately detect colon cancer. Dr. Rachel Issaka is the director of the Colon Cancer Screening program at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, and she talks about the test and what it could mean.

UW hires a new athletic director, corner stores could make a comeback in Seattle, and we remember mountaineering legend Lou Whittaker. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

It’s only March, but there have been at least 9 fatal shootings already in the city. That number will certainly grow. Gun violence has become more and more common in the past few years… and while everyone agrees that’s a problem, the solutions are harder to settle on. Today we’ll talk with Marcus Harrison Green about one solution proposed by the Mayor: Surveillance technology that alerts police to the sound of gunshots.

Boeing's CEO to step down, electric vehicle sales are booming in WA, and Gov. Inslee signs the Stripper's Bill of Rights into law. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Here at Seattle Now, we would jump at the chance to chat with Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos about their careers and their impact on Seattle. We don’t think either of those billionaires will be appearing on the show any time soon… But today, we’re talking to someone who has spent hours with these titans of tech. Reporter Kara Swisher has covered the industry for decades, and she’s got some axes to grind.

FBI says passengers on harrowing Alaska Air flight may be crime victims, city hall protesters charged by Seattle City Attorney, and WSU and Gonzaga survive and advance in March Madness tourney. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This week... The Seattle Reign were sold, and they’re worth a lot of money. A fatal car crash underscores the number of people dying on our roads. And we meet Hellcat Guy, the latest villain of the Seattle subreddit. Stranger Queer Culture reporter Vivian McCall and Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones are here to break down the week.

We remember the Oso landslide 10 years later, Seattle Schools outline plan for fixing its budget, and the bar exam will no longer be required in WA. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Parents of Garfield High School students say they say the Mayor needs to do more after a student was shot in the leg waiting for the bus last week…. In an apparent drive by shooting.

New Fred Hutch blood test can detect colon cancer, Amazon's Bellevue headcount is growing, and UW's athletic director bolts for Nebraska. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

The weather is magnificent, and the cherry blossoms are in peak bloom on the University of Washington campus. Today, we’ll hear the surprising history of how these cherry trees came to be from UW Campus Arborist Sara Shores.

Free preschool to expand in Seattle, seafood company ends fight to farm salmon in Puget Sound, and city leaders push for more sidewalks. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

On February 17, five friends set out on a long bike ride in the Cascade foothills north of Snoqualmie. What started as a routine ride for the group of 50 Angela King tells the women's story for the first time since the attack.

WA issues new Covid guidance, Rep. Kim Schrier argues for a TikTok ban, and the Seattle Reign are getting a new owner. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

We love our restaurants around here, but the pandemic and Seattle’s blistering growth means these third places are constantly shifting. Local food author Geraldine DeRuiter writes about Seattle's relationship to its restaurants in her new book, If You Can't Take The Heat. and what we lose when they disappear.

Watchdog group says landlords are colluding to keep rents high, Mayor Harrell holds forums on public safety, and it's about to get unseasonable warm in Seattle. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

This week… Boeing is making headlines AGAIN… this time, it involves Dawn dish soap and hotel room keys. Washington’s US Representatives have joined the war against TikTok. And get your wizard hat on, Dungeons and Dragons kits are headed to libraries across the state. Ticket Editor Chase Burns and Freelance Arts Reporter Jas Keimig are here to break down the week.

Seattleites react to proposed TikTok ban, 520 Bridge tolls could increase, and Seattle is getting more dog parks. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

Seattle's National Women's Soccer League team is back this Sunday for a new season, and things will look a lot

Fertility fraud bill heads to Inslee's desk, public defenders want smaller caseloads, and Seattle University gets a $300 million gift of art. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Gustavo Sagrero.

The debate over homeless encampments in Burien is getting messier. Last week after the city widened a controversial ban on camping, the King County Sheriff’s Office said deputies would not enforce the rule, which they suspect is unconstitutional. A lawsuit from the Sheriff’s Office followed, and now a federal court will decide. Publicola Editor and Publisher Erica Barnett is here to talk about this escalating situation.

SPD wants more money to hire cops, WA residents can now file free taxes with the IRS, and Gonzaga alum John Stockton sues WA's attorney general. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Many people suffering from a severe mental illness experience an endless loop. Many cycle through streets, jail, clinics, courts, and a shrinking number of hospital beds. KUOW’s brand new podcast “Lost Patients” examines how we got here through the lens of Seattle’s past, present, and future. Host Will James talks about the show and what we can learn from the past about Seattle's challenges treating people with mental illnesses.

King County Sheriff to challenge Burien's camping ban in court, Feds open a criminal investigation into Boeing, and former Seahawk Russell Wilson heads to Pittsburgh. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

This year’s legislative session is in the can. Like every round of lawmaking, we started the session with lots of plans: Roughly 1,200 bills were introduced and 340 passed. Northwest News Networks' Jeanie Lindsay has been tracking it all so you don't need to. She tells us about her top 3 takeaways from the session.