The Record

Every January, eligible students in Washington state public schools are given an opportunity to register to vote. School's must offer the opportunity when they can– it's the law.

When 80 percent of your local employees can't afford to live in town, what do you do?

Can a mayor bring a city together? After two years in a pandemic, a year of reckoning racism in policing, and a surprising electoral result, Bruce Harrell faces a lot of questions. Host Libby Denkmann, and Soundside listeners, put their questions to the newly elected mayor.

Last week Jenny Durkan stepped down from her position as mayor of Seattle. She spoke to Soundside host Libby Denkmann about her time in office.

What should you expect from KUOW's new noontime show? Soundside's producers talk about their hopes for the new show.

King County is seeing record breaking Covid infection numbers. There's a good chance you, or someone you know, will get Covid. So if that happens, what should you do?

On May 31, 2020, Wil Johnson turned on his TV and began watching the news. At the time, protestors across the country were coming together to protest against police brutality and racism following the murder of George Floyd just a few days earlier.

Today is The Record's final show before going on summer break to retool and reimagine our program. In the meantime, you'll be able to hear WBUR's On Point during the noon hour. Bill Radke speaks with Meghna Chakrabarti, host of On Point, about what the show is looking to bring to Seattle, and what the region can bring to On Point.

There's a market for just about anything -- and fossils are hot right now. Collectors are paying tens of thousands of dollars for the latest dig, and that's making it difficult for paleontologists to track important finds. Bill Radke is joined by Christian Sidor from the Burke Museum.

A popsicle in your bubbly. Your favorite deli sandwich. A spicy soup for a blistering afternoon. Bill Radke is joined by Seattle Times' Bethany Jean Clement to discuss the best summer eats, along with a review of pandemic restaurant etiquette and the latest in Seattle restaurant news.

Wildfires across the American West have grown in intensity in the last five years. In 2020, 800,000 acres burned in Washington State -- more than double the total in 2018. Bill Radke speaks with Hilary Franz, State Commissioner of Public Lands, about the state's preparations for what's looking to be an especially dangerous wildfire season.

The fossil trade is booming right now -- but what do you need to know before you go digging in your backyard? Plus, a primer on summer eats and current pandemic restaurant etiquette. We get an update on wildfire season and what the state is doing for prevention. And, a preview with On Point before The Record goes on summer break.

Seattle summer are a classic staple to cherish. Getting outside for a hike or camping trip is a natural part of the PNW experience. But where should you go and how do you prepare for the heatwaves and still cool waters? Bill Radke spoke with Kindra Ramos the Communications and Outreach Director at Washington Trails Association about preparing for summer hikes.

Joe Conniff was addicted to drugs, lived on the streets, and committed crimes. Conniff sought 12 step programs, counseling and detox. Today he's a certified peer counselor in Seattle and the author of a memoir called "Causes and Conditions: A Life experience in Addiction and Recovery." Bill Radke spoke with Joe Conniff about a moment that helped lead him to recovery: a drug bust in Seattle's open air drug market known as The Blade.

Salmon numbers are in serious decline. To help them swim, dozens of hydroelectric dams have been removed in over the last ten years. A Republican Idaho Congressmember, wants to remove some of the dams near the Washington/Idaho border and he has the support of several environmentalists and the Nez Perce tribe. Bill Radke spoke with Nez Perce Vice Chairman Shannon Wheeler, about the importance of removal and opposition from state leaders.

Preparing for a summer outdoors calls for preparation. Washington Trails Association gives us some creative ways to plan our next hike--including astrological signs! How should Seattle and King County help people who are addicted to drugs? A new memoir explores several attempts to find help. And The Nez Perce tribe Vice Chairman shares why they support a contentious Idaho proposal to remove dams from the Lower Snake River.

Eva Walker is a musician with the band the Black Tones, and host of Audioasis on KEXP. She joins Jeff Ramsey, owner of Cafe Racer and Cafe Racer Radio in a conversation about music and what's fresh for summer 2021.

Summer is here and that means barbecuing. Jack Timmons of Jack's BBQ shares tips and tricks for good grilling.

Tracy Taylor of Elliott Bay Books talks about how they managed business during the pandemic and the outlook for independent bookstores. We'll hear what listeners are reading and get some recommendations for summer reads.

Musician and KEXP radio host Eva Walker joins Café Racer owner Jeff Ramsey to talk about what they're listening to and what might be on playlists this summer. And Jack Timmons, owner of Jack's BBQ, gives tips and tricks for the grill. You'll also hear from Tracy Taylor of Elliott Bay Books on how independent bookstores managed the pandemic along with some titles for summer reading.

Judy Temes was a five year old living in Hungary when her family left the country without her gambling that one day they would be reunited. She wrote about the experience in her new memoir "Girl Left Behind".

"What are you gonna do with your degree?" Or "what's your dream job?" are questions every young person is very familiar with. But how have the answers changed after facing a global pandemic?

Getting back into the dating game can be rough for anyone. But getting back into it after a year in a global pandemic is a whole other ball game.

The Biden administration is gradually reuniting families separated at the Mexico border under President Trump. For author Judy Temes, the scene feels familiar. She tells Bill Radke about that, and her new memoir "Girl Left Behind." Plus, how the pandemic has shaped one college student's career plans, and the trials and triumphs of pandemic dating.

Bill Radke speaks with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan about policing, the West Seattle Bridge, and her time as mayor of Seattle.

How we define families has always changed. It's gone beyond the so-called nuclear family to include step parents, foster children, and also caregivers, drag mothers, and friends. We sometimes call these our chosen family. Bill Radke speaks with Attorney Melissa Hall, from Smol Law, and Community Advocate and activist Saara Majid about the struggle to recognize chosen families in Washington.

The summer solstice marks the long descent toward gray and dark Seattle winters. But it also marks one of humanity's long running celebrations across religions and cultures. Bill Radke speaks with Beth Ambary from Gathering Ground, who's set up some celebratory labyrinths at St. Marks Cathedral on Capitol Hill.

The way we define "family" has always changed. It's not as simple as blood relatives or extended legal family. But in Washington, getting legal recognition of your "chosen family" -- those who aren't related to us in a traditional sense, but are as close to family as anything else -- is still impossible. Plus, we talk summer solstice activities and host another conversation with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.

Did you know there used to be 17,000 varieties of apple in North American orchards? Most of those varieties are gone! But one Washington group wants to find the fruits that might still be around. Bill Radke spoke with David Benscoter founder of the Lost Apple Project.

There are places of transit that embody coming and going and never arriving. In his new collection of essays, Jonny Sun captures these feelings in places like airports. Bill Radke spoke with Canadian author and illustrator Jonny Sun about his latest essay collection ‘Goodbye, again!'

When fires swept into Malden, WA on Labor Day, 80% of the town burned to the ground. It took months to get relief. Now, new legislation aims to get help after disaster much more quickly to rural communities like Malden. Bill Radke spoke with Scott Hokonson, a town council member for Malden, and the leading the Pine Creek Community Restoration force.

Turns out there are more new apples and you can help identify them. The introduction of the Malden Act could bring quicker relief to wildfire devastation in rural towns in Washington. Canadian author Jonny Sun joins us to talk about his latest work, "Goodbye, again!" And we continue our mayoral candidate conversations.

Seattle has reached a 70% vaccination rate and Washington is getting ready to reopen. Virologist Angela Rasmussen answers questions about vaccine protection, variants, boosters, and what precautions to take as the region lifts restrictions.

The veto is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of our state and federal executive branches. Last week the Washington Supreme Court began hearing arguments for a case called Washington State Legislature vs. Jay Inslee. And at the center of the case is a question about just how far the veto power can go.

A new New York Times investigation says that a New York City Amazon warehouse was "achieving the impossible" during the pandemic. Profits soared while workers cranked out orders – often without information on covid conditions and cases.

Seattle has reached a 70% vaccination rate and Washington is getting ready to reopen. Virologist Angela Rasmussen answers questions about vaccine protection, variants, boosters, and what precautions to take as the region lifts restrictions. Plus, New York Times tech correspondent Karen Weise on conditions in an Amazon warehouse during the pandemic and Seattle Times reporter Joseph O'Sullivan on the limits of the governor's veto powers.

Facebook says they aren't selling political ads in Washington because of our rigorous transparency law. But people like Zach Wurtz, whose job it is to track those ads, are saying otherwise. So he did what he could - he took Facebook to court. Small claims court, to be precise. It didn't quite go to plan.

In February 1942 the U.S. government began the forced relocation of 120 thousand Japanese Americans to remote relocation camps where they were captive for two years. Despite this treatment, there were many Japanese Americans who joined the military to fight in World War Two.

Japanese Americans complied when evicted from their homes in World War II -- but many refused to submit to imprisonment in American concentration camps without a fight.

Facebook says they aren't selling political ads in Washington because of our rigorous transparency law. But people like Zach Wurtz, whose job it is to track those ads, are saying otherwise. So he did what he could - he took Facebook to court. Small claims court. It didn't quite go to plan. Plus, two discussion on the role of Japanese Americans during World War Two. As prisoners, soldiers, and contentious objectors.

Every year blue herons make their nests along the water in Ballard. And every year the Heron Habitat Helpers are there to assist.

Slowly, state after state has been allowing college athletes to profit financially from their popularity. Yesterday a US Senate Committee heard testimony that could help guide a nationwide law that lets athletes get paid. The chair of that committee is Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.

Washington state prisons have been full for decades. But that's changing. Now, about 1 of every 5 prison beds is empty. Because of Covid, criminal justice reforms, and budget cuts. What kind of assistance do people need when they're released from prison early? And will we continue to see Washington prisons shrink?

Last year, Marian Mohamed made a photo essay about being her family's designated grocery runner. Now that set of photos has been turned into a musical by the Fifth Avenue Theater.

Every year blue herons make their nests along the water in Ballard. And every year the Heron Habitat Helpers are there to assist. Ross Reynolds spoke to two of those volunteer helpers last week - father daughter pair Mike and Linda Marsh about why they spend their time helping blue herons. Plus, why prison populations are decreasing, if college athletes will ever be paid in Washington, and a radioactive musical.

In Washington state, a person can be arrested and found not competent to stand trial because of mental health issues. Thereafter, they languish in jail, waiting for a state psychiatric bed. A 2018 court settlement was supposed to end this cycle KUOW's Austin Jenkins tells the story of one young man in southwest Washington and how this problem has persisted and worsened through the pandemic

We can try are best not to be delusional and orient a 'true' reality for ourselves, but what if it's a good thing? Host of Hidden Brain Shankar Vedantam says that self-deception can boost your success and well-being.Ross Reynolds spoke with Shankar Vedantam about his new book "Useful Delusions."

The show must go on-line! Throughout the pandemic, theater teens have gotten creative about putting on the show. Staging it on Facebook Live or YouTube. This year for a second time, the journalists of KUOW's RadioActive Youth Media program and The 5th Avenue Theatre found a way to create musicals based on the journalists' photo essays, articles, and podcasts. Bill Radke spoke with Jadenne Radoc Cabahug about her photo essay turned musical and we hear the full show.

A Teacher at Sacajawea Middle school in Spokane taught a lesson on the industrial revolution and cotton gin, by having students pick cotton. Two Black twin students in class were hurt and humiliated by the lesson. Bill Radke spoke with KUOW web producer Noel Gasca about this story.

Last summer, RadioActive journalist Jadenne Radoc Cabahug captured scenes of her neighbors stuck inside. Pictures of supportive signs, waves, and routines became a musical by students at The 5th Avenue Theatre. We talk about the inspiration for the musical and hear the entire showcase. Then, perhaps delusion can be a good thing. Shankar Vedantam shares how self-deception may boost your success and well-being. Also, we hear about what happened when a teacher in Spokane created a lesson plan around picking cotton. And, finding a psychiatric bed in Washington is a years old problem that has worsened in the pandemic. KUOW's Austin Jenkins tells a story about one man in southwest Washington.

Seattle area protesters marched from downtown to the East Precinct building on Capitol Hill for a anti-police brutality demonstration, after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd on May 25, 2020. On June 8th, protesters awoke to an abandoned precinct and they seized an opportunity. The so called CHOP would get national attention and scrutiny.