Weekday

Next month, Seattle voters will be asked to renew two expiring levies to fund Seattle Public Schools. Proposition 1 would raise nearly $552 million over three years to fund day-to-day expenses like textbooks, transportation and student activities. Proposition 2 would raise nearly $695 million over six years to pay for building renovations, earthquake safety improvements and security cameras. The two levies combined would cost the owner of a $400,000 home an additional $152 per year in property taxes. Should Seattle voters renew the levies? We'll take up Prop 1 and Prop 2.

It’s Friday — time to talk over the news with Joni Balter, Eli Sanders and C.R. Douglas. President Obama spoke of unity and equality as he laid out his policy agenda for a second term. How will the message be received in Washington D.C.? Education and labor were the focus as lawmakers in Olympia got to work in the second week of the state legislative session. Also, Chris Hansen says he's struck a deal to bring the NBA back to Seattle, but officials in Sacramento promise they won't go down without a fight. What stories caught your attention this week? Write to us at weekday@kuow.org.

After eight years as Washington state attorney general and an unsuccessful bid for governor, Rob McKenna is leaving public life. As the state’s top lawyer, the two-term Republican worked to crack down on sex trafficking, gang violence, identity theft and methamphetamine production. In 2010, McKenna joined a challenge to President Obama’s healthcare overhaul. The US Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act last summer. In November, McKenna was defeated by Democrat Jay Inslee in the 2012 gubernatorial race. Rob McKenna joins us to talk about his time in public office and what lies ahead.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board holds a public hearing tonight at Seattle’s City Hall on how to implement the state’s new marijuana law. The first one drew a standing room only crowd eager to weigh in on how Washington state should set up its system to license marijuana growers, processors and sellers.

More than 1.5 billion people around the world practice Islam, the world’s second largest religion. But relatively few people know and understand Islam’s most important figure, the prophet Muhammad. Journalist and author Lesley Hazleton describes Muhammad’s life as a “journey from neglected orphan to acclaimed leader — from marginalized outsider to the ultimate insider.” She joins us for a conversation about her new book, "The First Muslim," the story of a man whose ideas and beliefs continue to change the world.

Sax man and bestselling instrumentalist of all time, Kenny G, needs no introduction. Following stints with Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra (at the age of 17) and The Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Seattle native and UW grad embarked on a solo career in the early 1980s. His 1992 album "Breathless" is the bestselling instrumental album of all time, and his 1994 album "Miracles" is the bestselling Christmas album of all time. He's collaborated with musical legends from Aretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder and even popped up in a Katy Perry video. The one and only Kenny G is in town to perform at Seattle's Jazz Alley. He joins us for a conversation about his life in music.

Vancouver Sun political columnist Vaughn Palmer brings us the latest news from Canada, film critic Robert Horton looks at how what we know about an artist's personal life affects how we appreciate their art, and Michael Parks assesses recent troubles for the Dreamliner and the range of outcomes for Boeing and Washington state.

Roe v. Wade became the law of the land 40 years ago, but the battle over abortion rights continues today. The past two years saw new restrictions on access to abortion in many states. A recent Pew poll found steady public support for the Roe v. Wade decision, but there's also some confusion — more than half of those under 30 did not know what issue the case dealt with. Sarah Weddington argued Roe v. Wade before the US Supreme Court in 1971 and 1972. She joins us with an assessment of the present and future of women's reproductive rights.

Increases in tuition and investment shortfalls have left Washington state's Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program with a nearly 20 percent funding gap. Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom says it's time for the state to get out of the prepaid tuition business. Tom says that if everyone now enrolled in the program wanted their money right now, the program would be short $631 million. The State Actuary puts the chances of GET not being able to meet its obligations at about one percent. Should Washington state end the GET program? We take a closer look.

The return of NBA basketball to Seattle appears closer than ever. Investor Chris Hansen announced on Monday that he's reached an agreement with the Maloof family to buy a controlling interest in the Sacramento Kings. The deal still needs formal approval from the NBA’s owners. Meanwhile, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is hopeful he can keep the team in town. How do you put a number on a pro basketball franchise? We talk with Smith College economist Andrew Zimbalist.