Conversation

Monday - Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. on KUOW

The Conversation covers current events in politics, public affairs, culture and science. Host Ross Reynolds opens the phone for listeners to participate in spirited discussions on the issues of the day. 

Email: conversation@kuow.org

Live call-in: 206.543.5869 / 800.289.5869

Feedback line: 206.221.3663

Public Insight: What should we be talking about on The Conversation?

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Record Store Nostalgia
4:07 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Slideshow: Tacoma's Tower Records

KUOW listeners Whitney Keyes and Chris Porter remember the Tacoma Tower Records well, and they shared their memories with us.

Whitney Keyes

“I grew up in Tacoma, Wash., and my favorite record store on the planet was the Tower Records near the Tacoma Mall. It was the go-to place to get the hottest 45s and albums -- and check out cute boys!

“I LOVED going down every aisle, alphabetically in my fave music categories, looking at the covers -- front and back of EVERY record.

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Record Store Nostalgia
3:54 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Slideshow: Fallout Records

Tim Hayes and Rob Fletcher share their memories of Fallout Records.

Tim Hayes, Owner, 1999-2003

"Fallout Records was a fiercely independent record-skateboard-zine/comic store that supplied the progressive, free-thinking consumer with creative alternative choices they couldn't find elsewhere or had no idea existed.

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Self Improvement
2:22 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

Fitness Tips For The Lazy! (No Judgement)

Credit Ludovic Bertron / Flickr
Perhaps you need more motivation to take the stairs: You'll save electricity too!

Some people wake up in the morning refreshed, climb out of bed and exercise and others, well, don't. Even though science proves that exercise is beneficial to your mental and physical health, millions of Americans will never hit the gym. Here are five fitness tips for the more sedentary among us from fitness expert Dan Tripps, director of the Center for the Study of Sports and Exercise at Seattle University.

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Inauguration Day
2:18 pm
Fri January 18, 2013

What Would You Like To See The President Accomplish In The Next Four Years?

Credit RTPPT / Flickr
Pres. Obama prior to his inauguration in 2009.

The official inauguration of President Obama is on Monday, January 21, but the party is happening this coming Sunday. What happens after that? Well, only time will tell, but with four more years of President Obama, what do you want from him? What would you like to see the president accomplish in the next four years? Ross Reynolds hears from listeners about their priorities for the president.

Health Insurance
11:06 am
Fri January 18, 2013

2013: Another Chance For The Reproductive Parity Act?

The new state legislative session is well underway, and a few state senators are planning to reintroduce what’s known as the Reproductive Parity Act. The bill would require insurers who cover maternity care to also cover abortions.

Last year’s version of the bill died in the Senate due to Republican opposition. This year it's getting another chance, and it already has the support of Governor Jay Inslee, who mentioned it specifically in his inaugural address.

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Driving Under The Influence
8:00 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Officer Abraham On The New Rules Of The Road For Marijuana Use

Credit Greg Matthews / Flickr
DUI checkpoint in Riverside, Calif., March 2011.

What are the new rules of the road for marijuana use now that it’s legal here in Washington state?  Seattle Traffic Officer John Abraham talks it over with KUOW’s Ross Reynolds.

Traffic Officer Q&A
8:00 am
Fri January 18, 2013

Overheard In The Green Room: Officer Abraham

Credit Stacey Sanner
Officer John Abraham wants to be somewhere 'warm and snuggly' when he retires. Instead, he'll probably keep working.

Meet Officer Abraham. He's made regular appearances on The Conversation with Ross Reynolds answering your traffic and driving questions. Today, we cornered Officer Abraham in the Green Room and asked him a few questions about his upcoming retirement, the weirdest excuse for a traffic violation he's ever heard, and what makes Seattle drivers so darn special.

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Author Interview
12:40 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

Naked Statistics: Stripping The Dread From The Data

Cover of 'Naked Statistics' by Charles Wheelen.

In his new book author Charles Wheelen makes the claim that statistics can be really interesting, and most of it isn't that difficult. Not convinced? Ross Reynolds lets Charles Wheelen makes his case and tries to get to the fun part of statistical data.

Local Music Vendors
12:20 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

Map: Do We Still Need Record Stores?

Credit Luz Bratcher / Flickr

Tomorrow is a dark day for many a Seattle vinyl enthusiast — Easy Street Records, the lower Queen Anne record store, is closing after serving the Emerald City for more than a dozen years. Many are bemoaning the loss of the Queen Anne record store, but what about you? Do record stores matter to you? I mean, do they really matter? Do you still buy music from stores, and how much?

With music available online through iTunes and services like Spotify, why do we still need record stores? Ross Reynolds talks with local music writer Charles Cross, Sarah Moody from Hardly Art and Eli Anderson from Neumos and takes listener calls.

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Liquer License
12:10 pm
Thu January 17, 2013

Cerveza At The Cinema? Lawmakers Push For Beer And Wine In Theaters

Credit HalinaV / Flickr
Would you drink at the theater?

Some Olympia lawmakers are backing a bill to let movie theaters and live performance venues apply for liquor licenses to serve beer and wine. The bill is sponsored by Democrat Jim Moeller, who represents Vancouver. Ross Reynolds finds out the likelihood of moviegoers cracking a cold one at a theater near you.

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