Weekday

NBA Says No To Seattle
The NBA has thrown cold water on Chris Hansen’s plans to bring the Sonics back to Seattle. The league’s relocation committee voted unanimously to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Art Thiel writes that Seattle can be to the NBA what Los Angeles is to NFL. Seattle still waits at the altar for an expansion team.

Jon Talton: Not Just An Economics Columnist
Jon Talton frequently analyzes business in the Pacific Northwest on Weekday, but he’s not just an economics columnist. He’s also a mystery writer. "The Night Detectives" is his 10th novel. It takes us from the familiar haunts of Phoenix to the seedy side of San Diego with his main character, David Mapstone.

Jay Inlsee’s Bottom Line
Governor Jay Inlsee says his bottom line is ending tax breaks and adding new tax revenue to the state budget. He will get that chance to draw that line in the special legislative session he has called for in two weeks.

The Weather And Hike Of The Week
Michael Fagin suggests a hike that matches the week’s weather forecast.

The Sound Of The Big Bang
What does the Big Bang sound like? That question inspired Dr. John Cramer, physicist at the University of Washington, to try and recreate the sound emanating through space after the Big Bang. Using data and a complex computer program, Dr. Cramer was able to synthesize a 100-second recording representing the first 760,000 years of the evolution of the universe.

Brian Kimberling: Author Of "Snapper"
In 13 connected tales, Brian Kimberling tells the story of Nathan Lochmueller, an aimless college grad who wanders through his early 20s and into the world of songbird research. Kimberling himself spent two years as a professional bird watcher in southern Indiana. He joins us to talk about his debut novel, "Snapper."

A Future Of Less Work With More Rewards
Traditional retirement may not be in the future for many workers, but neither is the notion of a 40-hour work week at unloved jobs. Planning for a transition to important but less time-consuming work is a growing business. It's creating new jobs and offering new pathways for people who plan on working well beyond the current retirement age.

This Week In Olympia
With the end of the legislative session nigh, will lawmakers be able to wrap up their work or will there be a special session? Jerry Cornfield, reporter and political columnist for the Everett Herald, is waiting for answers along with the rest of us.

Breaking The Cycle Of Human Trafficking
In Kolkata, India’s red-light district, the New Light Foundation runs two centers that provide poor and abandoned girls with health care, meals, tutoring and in the case of 40 children, a roof over their head. Urmi Basu, founder and director of New Light, is now in the process of establishing a home for young boys so that they too can leave the red-light district.

The Beauty Of Endangered Birds
There are 590 bird species that are endangered or critically endangered. Some only live in captivity. Around the world there are places where only old nests and the memories of their songs remain. Photographer Tim Laman and ornithologist Ed Scholes bring us the story of endangered birds.

Seattle Interim Police Chief Jim Pugel says "I'll apologize for the rest of my life" for appearing in a department produced video showing officers mocking the city's homeless to the tune of a classic pop hit.

It’s Friday — time to review the week’s news with Knute Berger, Lynne Varner and Josh Feit. Topics this week include development in South Lake Union, George W. Bush and fireworks in Seattle. Our news panel cranes their necks for some perspective. What stories caught your attention this week? Call us at 206.543.5869 or send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

A Conversation With The Interim Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel
Last year, there was extensive property damage during the May Day protests. A recent report cited a lack of a clear communication structure at the Seattle Police Department. Interim Chief Jim Pugel says this year there will be one commander in charge with very clear lines of communication.

Comedian Don Rickles
Don Rickles has been a stand-up comedian for more than 60 years. He’s worked with Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks. He was a regular fixture on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and he still appears on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. He ribs Democrats and Republicans. He roasted Ronald Reagan at his inauguration. With Don Rickles, no one is safe.

Climate Change Could Bring More Vineyards To Washington
A recent analysis on the impacts of climate change had good news for prospective grape growers in Washington. Climatologist Nick Bond says there should be an overall increase in suitable habitat in western North America at higher elevations. That is as long as the forests and animals currently living there don’t mind.

The New Affordable Housing Requirements In South Lake Union
The Seattle City Council will require developers to put in some affordable housing in new South Lake Union residential towers, or pay for the city to build it. Developers are still deciding whether the requirement will make taller buildings in the neighborhood economically feasible.

Politics Is A Fighting Word
In Olympia, stronger laws regarding gun control couldn’t get past the opposition from state Senate leadership. What will citizens who support gun control do now? Eric Liu lobbied in Olympia for stronger gun control rules in Washington state.

Radio Retrospective: Gloria McMillan From Our Miss Brooks
Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden was a popular comedy show during radio’s golden age. Gloria McMillan was a teenager when she played Harriet on the show. She shares her insider take on the cast, Hollywood and what it was like to work in radio.

A Lunch Recommendation
Food writer Sara Dickerman recommends Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine this week. It's a Thai restaurant in Ballard with bright and spicy, salads and delicious young coconut juice. You can read her recommendation for the the best hotels for food lovers in Bon Appetite.

Electric Car Company Under Congressional Scrutiny
Fisker Automotive is the latest beneficiary of the Obama Administration’s push for renewable energy to flounder. The electric car startup recently fired 75 percent of its workforce and hired bankruptcy advisers. Congress is asking questions about the propriety of federal loans to the politically well-connected company.

A Conversation With Writer Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende is a world-renowned writer, with 19 books in 35 languages. Her latest is "Maya’s Notebook," a tale that revolves around a descent into addiction and a rebirth through the love of family and place.

A Conversation With President Obama’s Sister, Maya Saetoro-Ng
A famous sibling can be a blessing or a burden. Maya Saetoro-Ng is the half-sister of President Obama. She uses her perspective as a history teacher to analyze how her brother’s presidency will be remembered.

Seattle Theater’s Power Couple
Seattle theater audiences know R. Hamilton “Bob” Wright from his long career onstage acting and of late, directing. Wright’s wife, Katie Forgette, is also a fixture on Seattle stages as an actress and now a playwright. Forgette’s newest play has opened at ACT Theatre directed by husband Bob Wright.

Tolling Proposed At The Canadian Border
The United States is considering tolling Canadians crossing the border. Vaughn Palmer of Vancouver Sun says there are already “fulminations on both sides of the border.”  

Let’s Hit The Road
Road films are about movement and change. Two new road movies end up in a surprising place. Some classic road movies take the viewer back home again.
 
All Roads Lead To The Arena District
Maybe the road leads to an entertainment district. That’s what Chris Hansen wants for Sodo. The Seattle Times' Jon Talton walks us through the concept. 

The Port Of Seattle Has A New Commissioner
Stephanie Bowman has been selected to join the Seattle Port, filling the seat Rob Holland vacated.  Last month, Courtney Gregoire was picked to replace Gael Tarleton. President of the Port of Seattle Commission Tom Albro explains why these two were selected out of the 35 applicants.

Inside The Emanuel Family
Ezekiel Emanuel and his two brothers Rahm and Ari grew up to become powerhouses in their respective careers. Rahm is the mayor of Chicago, Ari is a successful Hollywood agent and Ezekiel is the head of the department of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. In his new memoir "Brothers Emanuel: A Memoir of An American Family," Ezekiel tells the story of his family's history — from his parents early life as political and civil rights activists to the family's modern day successes.

Following The Old Rules
The Washington State Constitution is a 19th century document rooted in populist traditions from the era. It still functions today, but there have been significant changes. Over the past decade, state courts have come to rely on the state’s constitutional rather than federal doctrines. This is especially true in the area of individual rights, according to Hugh Spitzer, Constitutional scholar and co-author of the book, "The Washington State Constitution."