Ross Reynolds

It’s now legal to possess marijuana in Washington state. What’s that mean for you? Ross Reynolds tries to shed light on the logistics of the law and hears from listeners.

Coming up on The Conversation, December 7 at noon.

December 14 kicks of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count and volunteers that have dubbed themselves as the Binocular Brigade are hoping to see some rare species. Here in Seattle there have been reports of snowy owl sightings. What is this large white owl doing here in Washington? Ross Reynolds talks with Seattle Audubon Conservation Director Matt Mega.

As of 12:00 a.m. this morning, same-sex marriage is legal in Washington state. Ross Reynolds hears from listeners who have decided to marry now that they can.

On September 29, King County Metro ended the Ride Free Area in downtown Seattle. A 2010 study conducted by Metro estimated that of the 8 million riders boarding buses each year almost 35 percent did not have a pass or transfer. This was costing the agency $2 million annually. In the last few months, what changes have you seen in revenues and ridership since the end of the Free Ride Area? Ross Reynolds talks with King County Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond about these changes and more.

Marine microbes are not as cute as sea otters, but they do produce about half the oxygen on the planet.  Meaning you have microscopic marine microbes to thank for every other breath you take.  And University of Washington oceanographer Ginger Armbrust just received a multi-million dollar grant to study marine microbial ecology from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.  

Ross Reynolds talks with Professor Armbrust about the latest science on the microbes that we can thank for every other breath.

Seattle’s Democratic State Senator Ed Murray is running for mayor of Seattle. Ross Reynolds talks with Sen. Murray about the challenges of being Seattle's mayor and what sets him apart from the other candidates.

Landslide season has begun. That's when we hear stories about houses sliding down Seattle's famously steep slopes. But according to geologist "Hig" Higman, landslide season is about to get even hairier.

Jeff Rubin was a high-flying economist at a major Canadian investment bank, until he decided to write a book about how high oil prices were going to flatten the global economy.  Ross Reynolds talks Jeff Rubin about the steadily mounting demand for cheap oil in a world of dwindling supply.

You don't need a majority to gum up the US Senate. With 41 votes, you can call in a filibuster. Republicans defend the filibuster, but Democrats hate it. That's why Democratic senators want to loosen the filibuster's hold around the senatorial throat.

Julian Zelizer is a political commentator and a history professor at Princeton University. His books include "Arsenal of Democracy" and "Jimmy Carter." Zelizer sits down with Ross to tell us how a few senators want to bust the filibuster.

Seattle is a hotspot for computer software, gourmet coffee and unfortunately, human trafficking. The victims work as prostitutes, domestic servants and mail-order brides. That blight on the city's reputation is a sore spot for Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles. She gives Ross an update on Washington's efforts to fight human trafficking.