Conversation

US Attorney General Eric Holder is pondering what to do about Washington and Colorado’s legalization of marijuana, a substance still illegal under US law. But it’s also become an international issue. Last Thursday, the United Nations issued a press release stating Washington state’s legalization actually violates international law. This statement comes amidst criticism from Latin American leaders calling America’s inconsistency between foreign and domestic drug policies hypocritical. The Obama administration has said a legalization strategy — at least abroad — is off the table. Ross Reynolds talks with Bruce Bagley, a professor of international studies at the University of Miami and expert on US-Latin America relations.

A new study by the National Institute on Retirement Security found that people under 40 are more anxious than ever about their retirement. With Social Security benefits dwindling and pension plans becoming more and more scarce, many experts say planning early is more critical than ever. But for many under 40, rent, student loans or cars are far more pressing financial matters. So, how do you start? Ross Reynolds talks with National Institute on Retirement Security Executive Director Diane Oakley about the most recent trends in retirement, and gets advice on how and what to save from certified financial planner, Mindy Crary.

Seattle homes are now worth 14.4 percent more than they were a year ago. That’s according to Seattle based real estate firm Zillow, who release monthly reports on the value of homes in Seattle and elsewhere in the region. On the national level, the US has just made it through our 12th straight month of increasing home values. Top Zillow officials say that these numbers are a good indicator that local and national housing markets are showing significant improvements. Ross Reynolds talks with Zillow's Cheif Economist Stan Humphries about buying, selling and renting in western Washington.

Online learning may be widening the education achievement gap for some community college students in Washington state, according to a new study by researchers at Teacher’s College at Columbia University. They looked at 500,000 courses taken by 40,000 students over a four-year period. And in that study more of the online students dropped out compared to students who took traditional classes in brick-and-mortar buildings. Plus, more online students got failing grades. Ross Reynolds talks with Western Governors University chancellor, Jean Floten about the benefits and drawbacks of online education.

David Hyde sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Michael Moss to talk about the role that processed food companies play in obesity and the health of consumers and what they learned from tobacco companies. 

Where do we stand on universal background checks, education funding and impacts of the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration?

David Hyde checks in with everyone's favorite Olympia correspondent, Austin Jenkins for an update on the latest in state politics. 

A pope, an environmentalist and an actor walk into a bar. Well that is not exactly what happens in this week's Conversation news quiz, but hilarity does ensue. 

Earlier this year IBM’s supercomputer, Watson, took a job with health care company WellPoint. Watson isn’t the only robot taking our jobs. By the end of the century, an estimated 70 percent of current occupations will be replaced by automation. Digital labor will take over assembly lines, write articles and even give legal advice. Where will that leave humans? 

Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson, the libertarian government official on the TV show Parks and Recreation. Ross Reynolds talks to actor Nick Offerman about libertarianism, Hempfest, acting and cupcakes — kind of.