Weekday

Vancouver Sun political correspondent Vaughn Palmer brings us the latest news from Canada, Everett Herald film critic Robert Horton looks at what's happening at the movies, and Geekwire's Todd Bishop reviews the latest in tech.

Our spring membership drive rolls along with two of our favorite interviews: two-time Grammy winning musician Taj Mahal joined us late last year to celebrate 40 years in music and a new retrospective album, "Maestro." Plus, we listen back to a conversation with Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker about his book, "The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window Into Human Nature."

As the cost of health care continues to rise, what can patients do to help? Dr. John Santa is director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. We talk with him about Choosing Wisely, a campaign to encourage doctors and patients to ask questions to avoid unnecessary medical tests and procedures.

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz announced on Monday that he’s stepping down. Diaz was appointed chief by Mayor Mike McGinn in 2010 and served 33 years with the SPD. Assistant Chief Jim Pugel will lead the department until the city hires a successor. How will Diaz's departure affect SPD morale and the city's ongoing police reforms? We talk with City Attorney Pete Holmes, public defender Lisa Daugaard and Seattle Times reporter Steve Miletich.

How does the human digestive system actually work? Why can competitive eaters eat so much, so fast? Why do we like certain food textures better than others? Science writer Mary Roach is the author of books including “Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" and "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers." She answers these questions and more in her latest book, “Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal."

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn accompanied investors Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer to New York City last week to pitch the return of the Sonics to Seattle to the NBA. We'll hear how things went from his perspective. What decision does he expect from NBA owners later this month? Also, Seattle has seen two tragic fatal DUI accidents in recent weeks. Do our DUI laws need a second look? Mayor McGinn answers these questions and more. Have a question for the mayor? Call 206.543.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

It’s Friday — time to review the week’s news with Joni Balter, Eli Sanders and Knute Berger. State Senate leaders respond to the governor's spending proposal with a plan of their own, Seattle and Sacramento press the NBA for a franchise and the Fourth of July fireworks fizzle. What stories caught your attention this week? Call us at 206.543.5869 or send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

Greg Proops is a comedian who is best known for his appearances on the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? In addition to his stand-up and improv work, he’s acted in film and television and has done voice work for such projects as "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and Bob the Builder. Greg is currently the host of the weekly podcast The Smartest Man In The World, a podcast he records live around the US and parts of Europe. 

We bring you more of our favorite Weekday guests this hour as our spring membership drive rolls on. Earlier this year we spoke with the team behind Seattle sketch comedy show, The 206. We listen back to our conversation with Almost Live! alums John Keister and Pat Cashman and 206-er Chris Cashman. The show premiered on KING 5 in January and returns from a brief hiatus later this month.

Our spring membership drive continues with two of our favorite recent interviews. First, we listen back to our conversation with actor and comedian David Alan Grier. He joined us in the studio to talk about his 30-year career in entertainment, from the theater to television's "In Living Color" to Broadway. Then, we revisit our talk with restaurateur Eddie Huang about food, hip-hop and the experience of growing up a first-generation immigrant in the US.