Weekday

American history is full of stories of disenfranchised women who assert their rightful role in society and in so doing, open up the culture. Author Julie Otsuka’s family was interned following the bombing of Pearl Harbor; her father was arrested as a potential spy. She told that story in her award-winning first novel, “When the Emperor Was Divine.” Her second novel, “The Buddha in the Attic,” reaches farther back to explore the lives of brides sent from Japan to America between the wars, and the strain of traditional values in a nation that promised opportunity for all. The writer Julie Otsuka joins us.

Capitalism, democracy and HIV all arrived at about the same time in South Africa, where the promise of the Mandela era has still not been met. The nation struggles with an epidemic of poverty, illness and violence. Can the next generation of leaders reshape its cultural and political realities? Douglas Foster, author of "After Mandela: The Struggle for Freedom in Post-Apartheid South Africa," joins us.

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.