Seattle Now

We have more information about a Washington Airforce captain killed as part of the US war with Iran, the ball could start rolling on getting the Sonics back as soon as next week, and Washington has a new anti-litter marmot mascot. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until very recently, Washington’s Department of Licensing self-service phone line used English in a Spanish accent when you pressed 2 for Spanish. It was like that for months. We’ll talk about what might have gone wrong and what it took to fix the issue with Responsible AI Washington's Ryan Burns. Read Monica Carrillo-Casas' story here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms around the PNW… First, computer science researchers at the University of Washington are testing if a phone app can accurately monitor a fetus' heart rate during pregnancy. Next, Washington State University’s Nuclear Science Center is ramping up research and training to meet the increasing need for energy. And finally, Oregon came within one day of announcing it was feral-swine free – and then another wild pig appeared. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snowfall snarls travel across the Cascades, Seattle’s community college district declares a financial emergency, and mystery orcas are spotted in the Salish Sea. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week… State legislators had a 24-hour marathon meeting to pass the "Millionaire's Tax.” Seattle might install some temporary public bathrooms ahead of the World Cup. And a local vegan restaurant sparked outrage by adding chicken and eggs to the menu. Arts reporter Jas Keimig and Seattle Met Food and Drink Editor Naomi Tomky are here to break down the week. Read Naomi’s piece on the best fries in Seattle here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King County immigration arrests increased 300% last year, negotiations stall for REI union efforts, and it's been the worst PNW ski season in years. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle has a Paralympic Nordic skier competing in Milan. When she’s not training for competitions, she’s working at Seattle Children’s Hospital as a nurse. We’ll chat with Seattle's own Paralympian Erin Martin about what it takes to be great at para-Nordic skiing. Here's the Seattle Center pop-up performance application. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blizzard warning in effect for the Cascades, Howard Schultz is leaving Seattle, and the millionaire's tax is on the cusp of passing. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve been on Seattle dating apps, you may have come across the letters ENM… ENM stands for ethical non-monogamy, which is becoming increasingly popular in the US, and specifically in the Pacific Northwest. A popular form of ENM is polyamory - the practice of having multiple romantic partners at once. Now, advocates for polyamory are trying to gain legal protections in Seattle. New York Times Pacific Northwest Bureau Chief Anna Griffin will tell us more. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers pull an all-nighter debating millionaire's tax, Seattle passes moratorium on ICE detention centers, and Starbucks closes more Seattle stores. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Measles cases are on the rise. Washington state has had 26 confirmed cases this year. That’s more than double all of the cases in 2025.To find out what’s happening we’re joined by Dr. Helen Chu, infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPD chief Shon Barnes says that officers who help ICE violate policy and will face consequences, the Cascades might get a blizzard, and the Washington Supreme Court will get its first justice of Middle Eastern descent. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, the city of Seattle began sending less-urgent 911 callers to speak with nurse navigators who decide the next steps. The city says it’s going well and reduces strain on emergency rooms and ambulances. Now, a wrongful death lawsuit is raising concerns about response times. Seattle Times reporter Daniel Beekman’s been investigating. He'll talk about what he found. Read more here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom… First, two Haitian immigrants in Spokane tell their stories, and how they’re trying to move forward despite the controversy around their temporarily protected status. Next, a new exhibition at the Burke Museum showcases the Coast Salish peoples and the art of weaving. And finally, the City of Tacoma is doubling the number of public trash cans in the city this year. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The millionaire's tax is on its way to passing, OpenAI expands footprint in Bellevue, and the 5th Avenue Theatre announces layoffs. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week… Uber and Lyft drivers say there's too much competition on the road. Washington and British Columbia are now in different time zones. And the King County Library is throwing it back to the 90s by letting adults read for free pizza. Drag Queen and Entrepreneur Chase Burns and Stranger News Editor Vivian McCall are here to break down the week. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA sues over Trump's new tariffs, measles are spreading in WA, and transit agencies share their game plan for the World Cup. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle is in dire need of more housing density. The city also wants to be climate conscious in a warming world. Right now, those two goals are at odds with one another in some instances and it’s slowing the development of necessary middle housing. We’ll talk more about that with Seattle Times reporter Greg Kim. Read his reporting here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Wilson to expand tiny house villages, face mask ban for law enforcement likely to pass, and Starbucks is relocating some corporate employees to Nashville. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rainier Beach High School is the current home of the best boys high school basketball player in the country. It’s very exciting, but also raises questions about the future of high school athletics. We’ll hear more about Tyran Stokes and what his young career represents. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King County bans new immigration detention facilities, tech leaders line up for and against the millionaire's tax, and British Columbia adopts permanent daylight saving time. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young people are increasingly using AI companions. They can be useful, up to a point. AI companions are designed to keep young people engaged. We’ll talk about the risks and benefits with UW professors and co-directors of the Center for Digital Youth Dr. Katie Davis and Dr. Alexis Hiniker. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local leaders react to war with Iran, WA's urban forestry program is on the chopping block, and the Seattle Torrent set attendance record for women's hockey. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1999 at Garfield High School, two seniors heard a rumor that a popular teacher had abused a student. After they told authorities, some teachers and students turned on them. But those rumors turned out to be true. KUOW’s Managing Editor Isolde Raftery is one of those students. We talk with her about new narrative podcast “Adults in the Room". We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom… First, the Trump administration’s effort to end trans youth’s access to gender-related medical care, and how that’s showing up here in western Washington. Next, a story about the proposed “millionaire’s tax” in Washington state. And finally, we’ll hear from some people at Golden Gardens who swear by the cold plunge… even during the coldest winter months. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon is no longer the top employer in Seattle, Mayor Katie Wilson is asking city departments to find ways to slash their budgets, and a western Washington-born singer was just named one of Time Magazine's Women of the Year. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week… Drama in the state legislature as lawmakers discuss the proposed "millionaire's tax.” Some Mercer Island residents had to stop flushing their toilets for a day. And the McDonald’s golden arches may be making their way to Capitol Hill. KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher and Local Historian David Lewis are here to break down the week. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recreation areas could close this summer due to funding cuts, Bill Gates apologizes to foundation staffers, and Seattle Torrent Gold Medal winners return home. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle is in earthquake country, and our most recent big reminder of that came 25 years ago this Saturday, when the Nisqually Earthquake shook the Puget Sound region. Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood was hard hit, and a lot changed as a result of it. We'll explore how the neighborhood has grappled with its vulnerability to earthquakes while preserving its history. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sen. Murray slams Trump's SOTU speech, stricter DUI law stalls out in WA legislature, and Bill Gates apologizes to the Gates Foundation over his ties to Epstein. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce Lee is an iconic figure in Seattle lore. Before he became LA’s Kung Fu teacher to the stars, he was an 18-year-old working at Ruby Chow’s Restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Jefferson, attending the University of Washington and getting in fights at Dick’s Drive-In. We’ll hear more about a new stage show that outlines this formative part of his life. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can now tap to pay on local public transit, Tukwila temporarily bans new detention centers, and we dive deep on the millionaire's tax. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a recent survey of more than 130 Seattle-area small businesses, conditions are just as bad now, or worse – than during the pandemic. More than 70% say foot traffic is down compared to the same time last year. To learn more we’re joined by Intentionalist CEO Laura Clise who led the survey, and Hana Yohannes, who owns Shikorina Bakeshop on Capitol Hill. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did fraudulent sign-ins make the 'millionaire's tax' look unpopular? We remember gun safety advocate Cheryl Stumbo, and we celebrate NW athletes who won medals at the Olympics. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year marks the first Black History month BlackPast.org has faced without its founder Dr. Quintard Taylor. The site was created in Seattle almost 20 years ago and it continues to preserve and protect Black history. We’ll get into how the site is facing both old and new challenges to the legitimacy of Black history with BlackPast Executive Director LaNesha McCoy DeBardelaben. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from another KUOW show, Soundside… Like local officials everywhere, King County is navigating a shifting relationship with the federal government and the possibility that an immigration enforcement surge could happen here. Soundside’s Libby Denkmann spoke to Leesa Manion and Gary Ernsdorff from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Listen to more Soundside here. Soundside is produced by Sarah Leibovitz, Jason Burrows, Gabrielle Healey, Hans Anderson, Jed Kim and Maleeha Syed. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA lawmakers react to SCOTUS tariff ruling, Tukwila considers ban on building new detention facilities, and crime victim advocates worry about funding cuts. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week… Seattle has cleared the path for cafes and corner stores on residential streets. The Seattle Torrent have their fingerprints all over Team USA Women's Hockey. And Seattle knows how to party… But the city says we left behind a bunch of trash at the Seahawks parade. Author and blogger Geraldine DeRuiter and KUOW Producer Jason Burrows are here to break down the week. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses want ICE agents out of St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, WA lawmakers are tackling AI safeguards for kids, and Bruce Lee gets a Forever Stamp. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the biggest names in AI are setting up shop in Bellevue. It’s a blow for Seattle, where city leaders have worked to attract new tech innovators to combat high levels of office vacancies. Puget Sound Business Journal tech reporter Jason Pasion will tell us what’s so attractive about Bellevue. Read more of Nick's reporting on this here and here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Wilson pledges to expand homeless shelter beds, the Seahawks are officially up for sale, and WA's snowpack is looking bleak. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Seattle Convention Center takes up more than one-point-five million square feet of real estate downtown. It brings the possibility of year-round tourism, and extra business for the surrounding hotels, bars and restaurants. Despite hosting more events than ever before, the corporation behind the convention center says the financial situation is “fragile.” Seattle Times Reporter David Kroman will tell us why. Read David’s story in the Seattle Times here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.