Seattle Now
Get up to speed on the stories shaping Seattle, weekday mornings at 6 a.m.
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Episodes
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Casual Friday with Tan Vinh and Vaughan Jones
This week… We got hit with an atmospheric river, and the entire region is struggling with the rain. A UW study found that high school students are getting better grades, but lower standardized test scores. And time to dig out all those unused gift cards… Some lawmakers want the state to claim those dormant funds. Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh and Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones are here to break down the week.
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Seattle's rain is changing
The rain is sticking around today, although it likely won’t be as heavy as it was earlier this week. Two atmospheric rivers broke rainfall records across Western Washington. Flood , wiping out Seattle to Portland Amtrack services and drenching anyone trying to get around on foot. Rain like we saw this week is probably going to be more common as our climate changes.
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What the Alaska Hawaiian deal might mean for customers
Lots of people around here fly with Alaska miles. This week, the airline announced they’ve made an offer to buy Hawaiian Airlines. If the deal goes through, the company could see an expansion in aircraft and routes. We’ll talk to Helane Becker, an analyst with TD Cowen about how the merger might impact Seattle.
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Seattle set a new record for homicides
Seattle recently set a record that no city welcomes. There have been 70 homicide victims in the city so far this year, which is a new record for the most homicides in a single year. KUOW editor Catherine Smith is here to tell us more about why this is happening.
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Police credibility on trial in Tacoma
Jurors will learn this week if three Tacoma police officers accused of murder and manslaughter will take the stand in their defense. The key question that has emerged for the jury: If they trust the police account of what happened the night Manny Ellis died, or the account of witnesses who contradict the officers.
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Casual Friday with Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays
This week… SOME of you didn’t vote. This year’s election had the worst turnout in Washington state history. Woodinville staple Molbak’s Home and Garden had a messy breakup over a 15-year development project. And we discuss whether some of Seattle’s tourism staples are over or underrated. Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays, the duo behind KUOW’s new podcast Text Me Back, are here to break down the week.
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A threat to one of Seattle's oldest queer spaces
Seattle Parks and Recreation wants to build a children’s play area in Denny Blaine Park, which is also home to a popular nude beach full of history for Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. The city says it’s to address a lack of playgrounds in the area, but Seattle’s queer community is mobilizing to protect one of its most historic spaces. Stranger Queer Culture and Politics reporter Vivian McCall is here to tell us all about it.
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Burien strikes last-minute deal to open homeless shelter
As the weather gets colder and wetter, finding shelter for unhoused people around the Puget Sound is getting more urgent. But things are about to change for a camp of unhoused Burien residents: the city struck an eleventh-hour deal to open 70 shelter spaces there in collaboration with King County. The decision was controversial, and it won't end high tensions in the city over how to respond to homelessness. Publicola editor Erica Barnett is here to tell us what happens next, and what other cities can take away from the story in Burien.
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Surviving the Big Dark with laughter
The Big Dark is upon us again as daylight grows scarcer in Seattle. Between seasonal affective disorder and the impending holidays, it can be a tough time of year for our mental health. Today, we’re looking at comedy as a coping mechanism during these dark, cold months. Seattle comedian Chris Mejia will tell us how he incorporates his depression into his work, and UW professor Tabitha Kirkland will explain why laughter helps our bodies and minds stay healthy.
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This holiday season, consider shopping small
Now that the holiday shopping season is officially underway, retailers across the country are going big with cyber Monday sales. But before you click, remember, Seattle has lots of independent artists and businesses where you can find a unique gift. We'll hear from crafter and President of Urban Craft Uprising Kristen Rask.
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The last Apple Cup (kind of)
After the turkey gets cleared off the table this week, the Apple Cup is on. The long-standing rivalry game between the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State University Cougars kicks off for the 115th time on Saturday. It’s a year of lasts for the two teams, as UW prepares to leave the Pac-12 for a higher profile. Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones is here to tell us all about the history of the rivalry, and how to get in on the fun.
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(Thanks)Giving to your local food bank
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. It's time for family and feasting, but also a great time of year to consider giving to your local food bank. Eric Williams, community partnerships director for Second Harvest Inland Northwest, and Nicole King, director of innovative programs for Northwest harvest, share the most impactful ways to give this holiday season.