Weekday

Officials have not yet released any information on the mental state of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooter, but anecdotal reports about his behavior and character have led people to diagnose him with a myriad of mental illnesses. At what point does conjecture lead to stigmatization of people with mental illness? Is it fair to connect violence with mental illness? We talk about it with Dr. Jennifer Stuber of the School of Social Work at the University of Washington.

Highlights from Dr. Struber's interview available here.
 

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell says he wants to explore the idea of a ballot initiative to let cities pass their own gun laws. Cities are not currently allowed to regulate guns beyond existing state law. We'll talk with Harrell about what changes he'd propose for Seattle, and hear reaction from Joe Waldron of the Gun Owners Action League of Washington.

There are rumors of progress in Washington, DC, in the talks over how to move forward on spending and taxes, but House speaker John Boehner says Republicans have a "Plan B" just in case. We hear the latest on the fiscal cliff talks from Jill Jackson of CBS News.

Following one of the worst school shootings in the country's history, what's already being done and what can be done to keep guns and violence out of classrooms? We talk with Mike Donlin of Washington state's School Safety Center. Then, we hear from former Seattle City Councilmember Tina Podlodowski about how Washington state could lead on gun control at the ballot box.

The country's latest episode of mass casualty gun violence has shaken Newtown, Connecticut, where 26 people, including 20 children, were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. Speaking from the White House, an at-times emotional President Obama said "we have been through this too many times." We talk with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn about schools, safety and guns. We'll also talk about other city business, including the proposed South Lake Union rezone and last week's hearing on coal trains along the Seattle waterfront. Share your thoughts at 206.543.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

It’s Friday — time to talk over the week’s news with Joni Balter, Eli Sanders and Knute Berger. The state legislature doesn't convene until next month, but Olympia was the center of attention this week as a two Democrats joined with minority Republicans to take power in the senate. What stories caught your attention this week? Call us at 206.543.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

A parasite worms its way into a host, hijacks its nervous system and begins to control their behavior. Sounds like T.V. or the movies, but scientists have long known that parasites can take over and manipulate invertebrate and some vertebrate hosts. We talk with Dr. Shelley Adamo of Dalhousie University about how parasites may be turning hosts into zombies.

In 1917, the glittering elite of Tzarist Russia were crushed, practically overnight, by the Communist revolution. What happened to the nearly two million people who lived at the top of Russian society? Douglas Smith, awarding-winning historian and author, joins us to talk about "Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy."

Officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers and state Department of Ecology hear public comment in Seattle this afternoon about a plan to build the largest coal export terminal on the West Coast near Bellingham. KUOW's Ashley Ahearn joins us with details. Then, we look at Michigan's new "right to work" legislation and the possible ripple effects in Washington state with University of Washington Professor Jim Gregory.

Vancouver Sun political correspondent Vaughn Palmer brings us the latest news from Canada. Film critic Robert Horton previews "The Hobbit." Then, we look at Northwest companies in the news with Michael Parks.