Norm Dicks Linked to Ethics Probe, Heart of Dryness, and Irrational Fears

12:00 p.m.

Norm Dicks Tied to House Ethics Probe

Congressman Norm Dicks of Bremerton is being investigated for possible ethics violations according to a leaked document obtained by the Washington Post. We talk to the executive director of The Center for Public Integrity.

School Board Race: Central Seattle

For the second election in a row, a Capitol Hill mother of Garfield graduates is challenging Mary Bass for her school board seat. The winner will represent central Seattle, where several high–poverty schools have been closed in recent years. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has this profile of the candidates.

King County's Unopposed Election Races

Election season in King County brings lots of attack ads and bitter debates between candidates. But some of this year's races aren't exactly nail–biters. Most of the candidates for King County Council are running unopposed. Even so, they've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to get re–elected. KUOW's John Ryan reports.

12:20 p.m.

Heart of Dryness

James Workman thought he knew about dealing with drought. He advised countries around the world on water policy. Then he met the Kalahari Bushmen of Botswana and realized they knew more than he did. The author of "Heart of Dryness" joins us.

12:40 p.m.

What Are You So Afraid Of?

Halloween is the time to be scared — or at least to pretend you're scared. But what about the fears that are real, even though they shouldn't be? Most of us have fears that we know are irrational and implausible, but that doesn't mean they're any less legitimate. What are your unfounded fears?