Conversation

Monday - Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. on KUOW

The Conversation covers current events in politics, public affairs, culture and science. Host Ross Reynolds opens the phone for listeners to participate in spirited discussions on the issues of the day. 

Email: conversation@kuow.org | Twitter: KUOWconvo | Facebook: KUOWconversation

Live call-in: 206.543.5869 / 800.289.5869

Feedback line: 206.221.3663

Public Insight: What should we be talking about on The Conversation?

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Military Homecoming
12:20 pm
Thu February 14, 2013

Readjusting To Life At Home: What Is It Like To Return From War?

Credit Flickr Photo/Robin Shotola
Military personnel are welcomed home, Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 12.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 607,501 veterans in the state of Washington, and as more return each month that number continues to rise. Ross Reynolds talks to US vets about what it's like to return to civilian life. 

Port of Seattle
12:10 pm
Thu February 14, 2013

Port Commissioner Holland Resigns After Seattle Times Piece

Credit Port of Seattle
Port Commissioner Rob Holland handed in his resignation, effective March 15.

Seattle Times reporter Emily Heffter penned an explosive expose about Port Commissioner Rob Holland.  Now Commissioner Holland has resigned.  Emily Heffter talks about what she uncovered and what is next for the Port of Seattle.

Preschool Incentive Programs
12:04 pm
Thu February 14, 2013

Spend A Dollar, Save Seven? What Is The Math Of Early Education Funding In Washington?

The president’s proposal to improve quality and accessibility of preschools includes a cost-sharing partnership with all 50 states. Federal funds would go to expand high-quality public preschools, open to low- and moderate-income four-year-olds from families at or below 200 percent the poverty level.

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Psychology
12:40 pm
Wed February 13, 2013

What Are Your Blindspots?

Cover of 'Blind Spot' by Anthony Greenwald

What are our hidden biases or blind spots, and how can they divert us from doing what we think is right? Ross Reynolds interviews University of Washington psychology professor Anthony Greenwald, co-author of the new book "Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People."

Innocence Project
12:30 pm
Wed February 13, 2013

Bill To Compensate Innocent Who Spend Time Behind Bars

Credit Ric Feld / AP Photo
Robert Clark opens donated Christmas presents at the Innocence Project's offices in Atlanta in 2005. It's Clark's first Christmas in the free world since he was exonerated of a rape charge by DNA evidence and released from prison.

Yesterday in Olympia the House Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would compensate people who served time in prison for crimes they didn’t commit and were exonerated of. The exonerated people would be given $50,000 for each year spent behind bars. This isn’t the first time this legislation has been proposed but it is the first time that it has bipartisan support. Ross Reynolds takes a closer look at the bill and who it's intended to help.

Business
12:20 pm
Wed February 13, 2013

What Effect Is The Shrinking Public Sector Having On The Washington State Economy?

Nationally the private sector added 5 million jobs since a low point in June of 2009. But during that same time period the public sector cut 721,000 jobs. What effect is the shrinking public sector having on the economy? And what’s the story here in Washington state?

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Olympic Sports
12:07 pm
Wed February 13, 2013

Olympics To Drop Wrestling, Northwest Wrestlers Shocked

Credit AP Photo/Paul Sancya
What's your position on dropping wrestling from the Olympics?

This week the International Olympic Committee announced a plan to drop wrestling from the 2020 summer games. But there's some chance the drop could still be stopped. Ross Reynolds interviews former Olympic wrestler Ivan Ivanov who is now based in Idaho, and Seattle Times columnist Ron Judd.

Birthing Options
12:20 pm
Tue February 12, 2013

The Pros And Cons Of Home And Hospital Births

Credit george ruiz / Flickr
Where would you prefer to give birth to your baby?

According to a 2012 study by the CDC, Washington had the seventh highest rate of home births in the country. Overall, home births have been on the rise since 2004. But as of 2009 they still represented less than 1 percent of total births in the United States.

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Gun Control
12:04 pm
Tue February 12, 2013

Rep. Mike Hope For Background Checks

Rep. Mike Hope represents Washington's 44th Legislative District.

Despite recent disagreements over gun control proposals in the state legislature, a few Democrats and Republicans are coming together to support one bill that would require background checks for all firearms transactions in Washington.

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Family
12:40 pm
Mon February 11, 2013

Tales From Single Or Stay-At-Home Dads

Credit Dan Pearce / Flickr
What's your experience as a single or stay-at-home dad?

According to the most recent census, there are more than 1.7 million single fathers in the US and more than 175,000 stay-at-home dads, and their numbers are on the rise. David Hyde spoke to single and stay-at-home dads to ask them what it's like: the highs, the lows, parenting styles, the trials and tribulations of combing a little girl's hair, and even the dating perks.

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