Steve Scher

Vancouver Sun political correspondent Vaughn Palmer brings us the latest news from Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweets about his cat and pet chinchilla. Film critic Robert Horton discusses the renowned French comedian Pierre Etaix. The Northwest Film Forum is showing his five films this week as a tribute to his comedic impact on cinema. Then, Todd Bishop talks tech business news and latest on Microsoft’s new tablet.

Organic and “all natural” products are on the rise.  Grocery stores have expanded their free-range, non-toxic options. We’re paying more trying to make healthier choices for our bodies and our world. More women are choosing “natural childbirth” and tossing old plastic Tupperware to avoid toxic leaching.  Are all these efforts really working?  Is there a right way and a wrong way to live “naturally?” Journalist Nathanael Johnson has answers.

Despite a state Supreme Court ruling that Washington is underfunding public education to the tune of $1 billion, state legislators so far seem to be talking more about policy changes than new dollars. Highline School District Superintendent Susan Enfield sat on the state's Joint Task Force on Education Funding. Their report is in. What now? Susan Enfield joins us with her thoughts about how the state should move forward.

Eddie Huang stormed through childhood. He fought bigoted kids, defied stereotypes of the "model minority" and partied hard. But he clung to the delights of  his father’s restaurant and the flavors of his mother’s kitchen. Following a stint as a lawyer and a stand-up comic, he returned to his raucous roots, dipped in the flavors of Taiwan, America and the world. Eddie Huang joins us for a conversation about the first-generation immigrant experience he writes about in his new memoir, “Fresh Off the Boat.”

What do Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Billy Ansell from “The Sweet Hereafter” and Anne from “The Sparrow" have in common? They're three characters that librarian and author Nancy Pearl wishes she could meet in real life! What makes a character leap off the page? Who would you meet if you could? Nancy Pearl joins us to take your calls at 206.543.5869, or you can send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

In Seattle, more people have cats than have kids. Same goes for dogs. In fact, Seattle is the second-most childless city in the US, just behind San Francisco. Deciding to have a child is a big decision; so is deciding not to. Seattle Times columnist Sharon Pian Chan recently addressed the issue in an editorial titled “Why I’m Not Having Kids.” Have you made the same decision? What conversations did you and your partner have? What reaction did you get from friends and relatives? We'll talk with Sharon Pian Chan and hear your take. Call us during the program: 206.543.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org

It’s Friday — time to review the week’s news with Joni Balter, Eli Sanders and Knute Berger. Seattle's first gun buyback in more than 20 years takes in more than 700 firearms and brings an impromptu gun show to downtown. The debate over the future of Washington state's prepaid tuition program continues in Olympia. And in Washington DC, a Senate "Gang of Eight" and the president signal a way forward on immigration reform that includes tighter border security and a "path to citizenship" for more than 11 million people living in the country without documentation. What stories caught your attention this week? Call us 206.543.5869, send an email to weekday@kuow.org or use #weekinreview to share your thoughts with us on Twitter during the show.

Dr. John has been in the right place and the wrong place but it's always the right time for his music. The multiple Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has been playing music since he was a teenager. His most recent album, "Locked Down," was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and has him playing a Farfisa organ while he sings of revolution, the scourge of crack and the goodness of god. We talk with Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, ahead of his shows at Seattle's Jazz Alley.

The greatest sports spectacle on Earth takes place this Sunday: the Super Bowl. As millions around the world take in the commercials, the halftime show — and, of course, the actual game — football is facing a crisis. Thirty-three deceased former NFL players have been found to have suffered from a degenerative brain disorder called CTE, brought on by years of head trauma and concussions. Even President Obama has expressed concern, telling The New Republic that if he had a son, “I'd have to think long and hard before I let him play football.” It football safe for kids? We’ll take an in-depth look at the issue with youth football coach Chris Gradwohl and Dr. Kim Harmon of the University of Washington.

The housing market is showing signs of recovery and construction has started once again on developments delayed by the recession. That doesn’t mean everyone is in good shape. Many homeowners remain underwater, with home values nowhere near the purchase price. Then there are the questions about refinancing or buying something new. Real estate and housing experts Richard Hagar and Linda Taylor are here to help. Call 206.543.5869 with your questions or send us an email at weekday@kuow.org.