Weekday Podcast

Counting Homeless Youth, And The Scale Of China's Aerospace Ambitions

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

Counting Homeless Youth: YouthCare, a homeless youth advocacy group, completed their 2nd annual "Count Us In" survey this week. The survey counts homeless youth seeking services in King County. Over 1,000 people under the age of 25 participated this year. That's a dramatic increase from last year. We'll talk to a YouthCare organizer.

James Fallows: Over two–thirds of all the new airports being built today are being built in China. The country also dedicated $1.4 trillion in its 2011 Five Year Plan to its fledgling aerospace industry. In his book "China Airborne," James Fallows argues that the scale of China's ambition is a prototype for the country's ambition in other industries. He also says it offers a valuable lens through which to view China's future role on the international stage.

Weekend Weather Forecast: Nick Bond joins us with a look at the weekend weather.

Your Take On The News

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:05:00 -0700

Once again, it is Friday. Time to talk over the week's news. What stories caught your attention? What hasn't been covered enough? What happened this week that made your blood boil? What's your take on the news?

Police Reform, Kevin Eubanks, And Lauren Weedman

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

Policing The Police, Part Two: How does police reform look from behind the desk of a big–city mayor? Marc Morial was the mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002. He promised to clean out City Hall "with a shovel, not a broom." As mayor, he spearheaded comprehensive police reform in New Orleans in tandem with the FBI.

Jazz Guitarist Kevin Eubanks: Kevin Eubanks could always be counted on to laugh along at Jay Leno's jokes during his 15–year stint as leader of "The Tonight Show" band — though sometimes he looked a little skeptical of Jay's jibes. He left "The Tonight Show" in 2010 to focus on his own music. Eubanks is an accomplished guitarist, listing Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix as major musical influences. His 2010 album, "Zen Food," debuted in the top five on the Billboard jazz chart. He's performing with The Kevin Eubanks Band at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle this week.

Writer/Performer Lauren Weedman: Writer and performer Lauren Weedman was known for her shows at Seattle's Empty Space Theater before going on to "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "Reno 911." She's in town for a new solo show, "Single Room Occupancy," at Northwest Film Forum. It's the story of her return from Amsterdam to Seattle, "a place of lawn care, electric guitars, the same dinner every night, old horror movies and sex."

Sound Of The Day: What creepy sounds are coming from your closet? Today's Sound Of The Day comes from a closet on Vashon Island. Record the interesting and surprising sounds in your life, and send them to weekday@kuow.org with "Sound Of The Day" in the subject line.

Ask King County Executive Dow Constantine

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:05:00 -0700

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn outlined a deal for a new sports arena yesterday. The memorandum of understanding with investor Chris Hansen promises up to $200 million in public money, to be repaid with stadium–generated revenue. Next up: how to handle all that extra traffic, and where to find an NBA (and maybe NHL) team to play in that arena. We'll hear the latest from King County Executive Dow Constantine, joining us in the studio along with musical guest Choklate Moore.

Police Reform In New Orleans And Former US Senator Bill Bradley

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

Policing The Police: This week, Seattle city officials are expected reply to Department of Justice recommendations for reforming the Seattle Police Department. It's expected that the DOJ will suggest a "consent decree" to solve problems in the Police Department. How does a consent decree actually work, what does it cost, and how might Seattle's version of it hold up in comparison with other cities?

Bill Bradley Says 'We Can All Do Better:' Former three–term US senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley sees a decline in America's future if we don't change course. What can one person do when it comes to rebuilding the country? Bill Bradley joins for a discussion of his new book, "We Can All Do Better."

More Women Losing Enthusiasm For HPV Vaccine: Human papillomavirus, better known as HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the nation — even after a vaccine was developed in 2006. In most cases, HPV clears up by itself within two years, but it can also cause cervical cancer. A recent study finds that the number of women completing the series of shots that would protect them against HPV is low and getting lower. What is it about the vaccine that women are not committing to, and how can that change?

Sound Of The Day: Is today's sound human or machine? What do you think? Hear an interesting sound? Record it, and send it to weekday@kuow.org with "Sound of the Day" in the subject line.

Canada, Culture And Commerce: Vaughn Palmer, Robert Horton, Jon Talton

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:05:00 -0700

Vancouver Sun political correspondent Vaughn Palmer brings us the latest in news from Canada. Film critic Robert Horton previews the Seattle International Film Festival, beginning this Thursday. Then, The Seattle Times columnist Jon Talton discusses the region's economic climate. The housing market could hit bottom this year. What will the "new normal" look like?

Writers William Dietrich And Amitav Ghosh

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

William Dietrich: Author William Dietrich's work ranges from environmental history to Napoleonic adventure thrillers. He joins Steve Scher to talk about intrigue, adventure and writing.

'Weekday' Archive — Amitav Ghosh: Amitav Ghosh is a Bengali Indian author whose current trilogy explores India, China and the opium trade in the 19th century. He joined us on "Weekday" in October of last year to talk about "River of Smoke," the second book in the series, following the first installment, "Sea of Poppies."

Sound Of The Day: Can you say the President's name three times fast? Hear an interesting sound? Record 30 seconds and email it to weekday@kuow.org with "Sound of the Day" in the subject line.

The Weather And Hike Of The Week: Michael Fagin suggests a hike to match the week's weather forecast.

John Urquhart, Clean Cosmetics, And Greendays Gardening

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:05:00 -0700

King County Sheriff Candidate John Urquhart: Former King County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Urquhart was the department's public liaison for more than 20 years, until he retired last September. Now he's back and running for Sheriff. He'll face interim King County Sheriff Steve Strachan in November's election. We'll ask John Urquhart why he wants the job.

Safe DIY — More On Dangerous Beauty Products: We assume common body–care products are safe and regulated, but they often aren't. Lotions often contain propylene glycol, used to make antifreeze. Common sunscreens contain ingredients known to cause cancer. Following up on last week's conversation about the dangers we should be looking for, today we'll learn what safe, clean products we can make so we're sure what is going in our bodies.

Greendays Gardening Panel: Open Phones! The Greendays panel offers their guidance for your gardening projects. We've had sun and warm weather and plants are doubling in size. What gardening projects do you have going on? We'll take your questions at 1.800.289.KUOW (5869).

Ask Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:05:00 -0700

The city of Seattle faces a Wednesday deadline to respond a Justice Department plan for reforming the Seattle Police Department. The mayor and SPD, meanwhile, are pursuing their own 20–point, 20–month reform agenda. Mayor Mike McGinn says he's trying to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution. We'll ask him about it. We'll also talk about his call to ease development rules as well as the city's decision to pull the plug on its broadband network. Have a question for the mayor? Call 800.289.5869 or email "Weekday."

Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:05:00 -0700

Will A Bad $2B Bet Bring Greater Financial Regulation?: JPMorgan Chase Chief Investment Officer Ina Drew has retired following the bank's $2 billion trading loss last week. The surprising loss has galvanized those calling for greater oversight of "too big to fail" financial institutions and led to calls for the resignation of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. We'll hear more about the calls for stricter financial regulation from MIT's Simon Johnson.

Weekday Archive: Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky: A poem may not always have rhyme and meter, but it always has a bit of music. Robert Pinsky's poems are inspired by the energy and the tension of jazz. He's even written a libretto for an opera called "Death and the Powers." Pinsky used his time as poet laureate to be an ambassador for the presence of poetry in American culture and in our everyday lives. We listen back to some of our conversation with three–time poet laureate Robert Pinsky.

Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire: Governor Chris Gregoire will not seek reelection this November. Still, decisions she makes through the end of her term will have an impact whoever becomes governor. We'll ask her about current negotiations with state employee unions as well as her challenge to her potential successors to find new revenue for education. Have a question for the governor? Email "Weekday."