Wednesday Evening Headlines Seattle crosswalks hacked with audio deepfake of Jeff Bezos, WA Dems scrap their wealth tax plan, and Peruvian immigrants in Central WA are on edge. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. Paige Browning
The Lyrid meteor shower will dazzle the night sky this week. Here's how to watch The peak of the Lyrid meteor shower shower this year is expected Monday and Tuesday this week, when the tail is at its peak. Alana Wise
The biggest story of the baseball season is ... the bat? The torpedo bat has been one of the biggest stories of the three week old MLB season. How does it work? Hans Anderson
Discovering the message of Houlme: how one Orcas Island chef has been nominated for the James Beard award seven times Not a single eatery from Washington state has taken home the big prize in the past three years. If Chef Blackinton wins, it could change the fate of his restaurant, which is both nurtured and challenged by its remote location. Libby Denkmann
NPR CEO Katherine Maher addresses future of federal funding for public media Katherine Maher, president and CEO of National Public Radio, talks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about the White House proposal to eliminate federal funding for public media. Tyler Bartlam
One Seattle artist's journey to be seen as more than just "inspiration porn" In a new short animated film called "View from the Floor", Mindie Lind and co-director Megan Griffiths explore Mindie’s life as an artist grappling with imposter syndrome. Libby Denkmann
In the middle of a hepatitis outbreak, U.S. shutters the one CDC lab that could help All 27 scientists at the CDC's viral hepatitis lab were told their duties were "unnecessary." Ongoing outbreak investigations have now been halted. Chiara Eisner
2 security guards on duty, video surveillance: Seattle passes new safety regulations for after-hours lounges The regulations are aimed at curbing a trend of violence associated with the venues, which have been at the center of several shootings and fights. Natalie Akane Newcomb
Judge finds 'probable cause' to hold Trump admin in contempt over Alien Enemies Act deportations The government sent several planeloads of alleged gang members to El Salvador, including 137 people under the act, the White House said at the time. The judge gave the U.S. until April 23 to respond. NPR Staff
Retail sales jump as people rush to buy cars ahead of tariffs The key driver of the economy saw the biggest increase in over two years in March, as car buyers tried to get ahead of President Trump's tariffs on imported autos and auto parts. Alina Selyukh