Seattle Now
Seattle Now is a smart, daily news podcast for a curious city, from KUOW and the NPR Network. New episodes every weekday morning and evening.
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Episodes
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Burien's camping ban is now in effect
There’s been a fierce fight in Burien about the city’s homeless population. People living in encampments have been moving around for months. Burien City Council voted to implement a camping ban in late September. It went into effect yesterday. KUOW’s Casey Martin has been following this developing story for months and is here to tell us about it.
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When a pilot needs mental health care
Depression and anxiety are pretty common. They're also very treatable, but workers can be afraid to speak up because having a mental health condition can mean time off the job. Last week a pilot who experienced a mental health crisis aboard a Horizon Air flight allegedly tried to cut the engines. Jonathan Levinson with Oregon Public Broadcasting is here to talk about why pilots might not want to share that they’re struggling.
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The final countdown to next week's election
We’re in the thick of the November election cycle. You’ve only got a week to hand in your ballots. So, if you’re still trying to figure out HOW to vote, we’ve got you. KUOW’s David Hyde asked candidates from each race about the big issues in each of their districts, and he's here to break it all down for us.
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A progress report on Washington schools
Washington’s education system has been through a lot in the past decade -changes in funding and the pandemic - and the Seattle Times Education Lab has been there to report on it all. Today, reporter Dahlia Bazzaz will walk us through these changes and what they mean for students and teachers across the state.
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Casual Friday with Paige Browning and Ishea Brown
This week… An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot attempted to cut a plane’s engine’s mid-flight. Washington joined 41 other states in suing Facebook parent company Meta for addicting young children to its social media platforms. And San Juan County is considering a tourism tax as the islands become overwhelmed with visitors. KUOW's Paige Browning and local digital strategist Ishea Brown are here to break down the week.
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Local playwrights on Israel, Palestine, and art
Two people meet in an auto body repair shop in a town in Israel. One of them is Palestinian, the other is Israeli. That’s the premise of a play called The Return. The play opens tonight and runs until November 19 at Dunya Productions Theatre at Cherry Street Village. This play will run during a particularly painful time for those with ties to Israel and Palestine. Hanna Eady and Ed Mast are the writing duo behind The Return.
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Helping unsheltered voters cast their ballots
Election day is around the corner and it’s time to look through that voter’s pamphlet. But for unsheltered people, getting the materials and resources needed to vote can be a challenge. We’ll hear from a local organization on how they help people get registered and cast their vote.
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Seattle restaurants want you back
It’s time for Seattle Restaurant Week. The culinary festival runs from now until early November. Restaurants are facing a lot of issues right now. Food prices have increased, and fewer people are eating out. This year, Seattle’s eateries are hoping to reverse that trend and get people to come out again. Seattle Times Food Writer Jackie Varriano is here to give us a rundown of what to expect for restaurant week.
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Seattle has a new drug law. Now what?
Seattle’s new drug law is now in effect. It makes the possession and public use of narcotics a gross misdemeanor. But it also encourages law enforcement to coordinate diversion efforts: admit people into treatment programs before jail. Today we’re talking with Seattle Times staff reporter Sarah Grace Taylor about what kinds of options are out there for police if they see someone using drugs.
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Casual Friday with Sami West and Tan Vinh
This week… A drive-by shooting in the Central District has left a daycare center considering extra safety measures. Increased pricing is on the table for both drivers and transit riders across Seattle. And Portland chain Voodoo Doughnuts is reportedly opening a store on Capitol Hill. KUOW Education Reporter Sami West and Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh are here to break down the week.
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Uncertain future after more Rite Aid and Bartell closures
Bartell Drug customers may be in for more heartache. The local pharmacy and institution is closing more locations after parent company Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the pharmacy business, but one thing’s clear: change is coming.
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This Seattle activist made a difference by donating her home
The need for more affordable housing in Seattle is massive, but here’s a small but meaningful solution: homeowners who leave what they’ve got to a community trust. One recent gift of prime real estate will ensure that two families have an affordable place to live. We’ll hear more about it from Kathleen Hosfeld of the Homestead Community Land Trust.