Steve Scher

Should marijuana be taxed and regulated in Washington state? Initiative 502 would allow for the sale and possession of marijuana for adults over 21. If voters approve I-502, Washington state would be out front in challenging federal marijuana policy. We discuss legalizing pot with Alison Holcomb of New Approach Washington, Douglas Hiatt of Sensible Washington, former DEA administrator Peter Bensinger and former Seattle police chief Norm Stamper.

Seattle's arena deal took a major step forward this week as King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn signed legislation to commit $200 million in public money toward a new $490 million sports facility. That frees investor Chris Hansen to begin the hunt for an NBA franchise – just as a union representing Seattle longshore and warehouse workers says it will file a lawsuit to halt the deal. We'll ask Dow Constantine what's next for the arena and delve into his proposed county budget. Have a question for the King County Executive?

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes along with four members of the City Council are criticizing Mayor Mike McGinn over his opposition to their choice for an independent monitor to oversee the city's police reform efforts. Their statement released on Wednesday accuses McGinn of "obstruction and stall tactics" in his opposition to one finalist for the job, L.A.-based consultant Merrick Bobb. The city has had 10 months to select a monitor; the deadline is just a week away.

Vancouver Sun political correspondent Vaughn Palmer brings us the news from Canada, we look at what’s happening at the movies with film critic Robert Horton, and The Seattle Times columnist Jon Talton reviews the latest economic news.

This November, voters once again have the chance to weigh in on whether to set up charter schools in Washington state. Forty-one states currently allow charter schools; Initiative 1240 is the fourth attempt since 1996 to pass a charter school law here. Supporters of charter schools say they will allow for more diversity and flexibility in education. Opponents argue charters lack a record of success and will mean a loss of revenue for public education.

Weekday green thumbs Marty Wingate, Willi Galloway and Greg Rabourn join us to answer your flower, vegetable and native plant questions. Need guidance for your garden? Call us at 206.543.5869 or email weekday@kuow.org.

In “Ascent of the A-Word,” linguist and "Fresh Air" commentator Geoffrey Nunberg considers a word that has divided, offended and fascinated its users for the last 60 years. What is its essence? And what does it say about our values, impressions and relationships with other people? Nunberg joins us to discuss one of the culture’s most commonly hurled vulgarities and its place in society.

Need a hand with a do-it-yourself home improvement project? Our home repair expert Roger Faris is here to answer your questions. Call us at 206.543.5869 or weekday@kuow.org.

Also this hour, we speak with attorney David Mann. He’s representing Seattle longshoremen and warehouse workers who say they’ll file a lawsuit to block a third sports arena in Sodo. Plus, we hear a poem from Dean Young and take a listen back to some of our interview with satirist Christopher Buckley (“They Eat Puppies, Don’t They?”).

Despite their political differences, the young and ambitious Harvard Law graduates and Harvard Law Review alumni President Obama and Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts share many similarities. We talk with Jeffrey Toobin, author of the new book “The Oath: The Obama White House and The Supreme Court,” about the battles and truces between America's judicial and executive branches – from inauguration day to the recent Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

With NPR’s popular Car Talk hosts retiring, public radio approaches a crossroads. Which way to go? Hit the archives to keep popular programs on the air, or create more new shows? The creator and host of This American Life has some ideas. We talk with Ira Glass about the present and future of public radio.