David Hyde

The faces (and characterizations) you see on TV are changing: The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender characters on primetime series is on the rise, but representation of Hispanics has decreased.

How far ahead of (or behind) the cultural curve is TV?  Pop culture expert and communications professor Robert Thompson evaluates the fall line-up.

When Carver Clark Gayton was growing up in Seattle in the 1940s he didn’t hear anything about African-American history in school. But his mother told him stories, including one about his great-grandfather Lewis George Clarke.

Clarke was an escaped slave and an abolitionist. His personal story found its way into the anti-slavery novel "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" that went on to become the second most popular book in the 19th century. It’s seen as one of the causes of the Civil War.

The Seattle City Council recently passed a new law requiring property inspections on tenant properties.  How will the new law affect you? 

Evan Loeffler is a real estate attorney whose practice emphasizes landlord-tenant relations. He explains the new law and answers your questions about tenants’ rights, landlords’ rights, and how to handle disputes.

There are many stories of great floods out there, first and foremost the fable of Noah's ark. But some geologists have found that many of these legends have some basis in historical fact. We talk with University of Washington professor and MacArthur award-winner Dave Montgomery, the author of "The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood."

The two women behind the Seattle rock band Heart, Nancy and Ann Wilson, have a new biography out. It's written with the help of music biographer Charles R. Cross. It's called, "Kicking And Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul And Rock and Roll." Charles R. Cross joins us.

You may have already received your state voter's pamphlet in the mail. How much do you trust the candidate's statements?

We talk to Shane Hamlin, elections co-director for the Office of the Secretary of State, about a controversial statement by a candidate for King County Superior Court.

Stacy London believes that personal style matters, and she’s made a career of coaching people on how to look their best. As a co-host of the TV show What Not To Wear and a fashion consultant for various media outlets, London stresses that style is more about feeling great than wearing the hottest trends.

She turns the mirror on herself in her new book, “The Truth About Style,” and shares some truths behind her personal style.  
 

"The Truth About Style" Book Promotion

Washington lawmakers have a mandate from the State Supreme Court to fully fund basic K-12 education.  State School Superintendent Randy Dorn says that will cost taxpayers an additional $4.1 billion per year.

Dorn’s running unopposed for a second term as Superintendent of Public Instruction.  He joins David Hyde to talk about school funding, the debate over charter schools and other issues in education.    
 

KCTS 9 is releasing a new Washington Poll today on the major races and issues on November’s ballot. David Hyde breaks down the numbers and what they mean with University of Washington political science professor, Matt Barreto.

Feminist author and blogger Jessica Valenti takes a critical look at motherhood in her new book, "Why Have Kids?" Valenti talks with David Hyde about the pros and cons of raising kids in the 21st century and listeners weigh in.