KUOW's The Conversation Podcasts

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Reporter Ross Reynolds hosts this fast-paced news call-in program. Engaging, stimulating and informative -- a forum where listeners have the chance to speak directly with experts on news-oriented topics. The Conversation covers the very current topics and issues of the day, from politics to breaking news. Stay tuned to KUOW online or at 94.9 FM to hear what Ross will be discussing today. Primary Format : Public Radio Language : English Also Listed as: City : Seattle State/Province : WA Country : USA Region : NA User Tags: User Votes: RSS Feed Website People found this Podcast Searching for: View this Podcast on a Google Map. Podcast iTunes Link Text Only listing of KUOW's The Conversation Podcasts Methings.com listings of KUOW's The Conversation Podcasts If you like this podcast, you might also like:

Which Cell Service Carrier Rates Best In Seattle? Budget Signing Sparks Brief Debate Over Future Of Sex Predator Lock–Up: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has signed into law nearly $500 million in budget reductions. Tuesday's bill signing also stirred up a brief debate over whether to move the state's island lock–up for sexual predators to the mainland. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. Consumer Reports Unveils Cell Service Ratings: Consumer Reports has just come out with their yearly cell phone service ratin ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Legal Implications Of DOJ Report Last week, a US Department of Justice released a report alleging routine and widespread use of excessive force by officers within the Seattle Police Department. Today, we'll hear from a legal expert about the implications of that report. We'll also find out what other cities have done after a DOJ investigation. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Let There Be Light Tea Party activists are celebrating a victory for the 100–watt incandescent light bulb. Republicans in Congress have put off bulb's phaseout. But manufacturers say by 2020 up to 80 percent of the general lighting market will be LEDs. We talk to a lighting designer about the latest technology, and about how to cope with the darkness this time of year. What are the right lighting choices to improve your mood and help you sleep better? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wash. State Senator: Reform Initiative Process Seattle Officials Respond To DOJ Police Report: Seattle city officials are coming to some different conclusions about how move forward with changes to a troubled police force. On Friday, the Department of Justice revealed a scathing report about a pattern of SPD's use of excessive force. Now, KUOW's Liz Jones reports city and federal officials need to agree on a solution. Wash. Senator Plans To Propose Initiative Reform: This November, Washington voters approved Initiative 1163, a measur ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will $60 Million For Early Learning Help Close The Achievement Gap? Last week Washington state won a $60 million federal grant for early learning. We take a closer look with leading experts on early childhood education in Washington and other states. How will the state spend the money? Will it help close the achievement gap for low–income kids? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What's Your Gift-Giving Philosophy? A UW philosophy professor joins us as we take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website $21 Billion Needed For State Transportation Projects Bridging The Health Information Divide: Around the US, medical groups are slowly converting to electronic medical records. So far, the road to digital conversion has been bumpy. But efforts are underway to smooth the transition. KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports. Chum Love — Biologists Work To Rescue A Salmon Underdog: Hydropower management, the fishing industry and billions of dollars in government spending revolve around the fragile plight of Northwest salmon. And plenty has been writte ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Homeless Teens and Sex Trafficking Lauri Burns's father beat her on a daily basis. By age 19 she was a prostitute. Today she owns a computer consulting firm and tries to help teens. She joins us to talk about her personal story and her work as the founder of The Teen Project, for homeless youth. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Peter Bagge, Libertarian Cartoonist Peter Bagge provided what some call the definitive chronicle of young Seattle in the 1990s in his comic series "Hate," a semi–autobiographical account of young slacker Buddy Bradley. These days he is a regular contributor to Reason, the libertarian magazine. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Department Of Justice Issues Report On Seattle Police Department Department Of Justice Issues Scathing Report: The Department of Justice released a report earlier today documenting a lack of oversight within the Seattle Police Department that it says enabled "systemic use of force violations." KUOW's Amy Radil joins us with more on the findings, and how the Police Department and the community are reacting to the strongly worded report. Barefoot Bandit's Guilty Plea: Earlier today, Colton Harris–Moore entered a guilty plea in the Island C ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ethic Violations At Evergreen, And Peter Seligmann On The UN Climate Talks Ethic Violations at Evergreen: Professor Jorge Gilbert of The Evergreen State College was hit with a $120,000 ethics fine in June, the largest in state history. It stemmed from an investigation that began in 2008 into his misuse of student and state funds for personal benefit. But Evergreen officials knew about his troubled program as far back as 1999, when the school's student paper published an expose and Gilbert refused to cooperate with school officials looking into problems with his fi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Can You Eat Healthy On A Budget? Recently, two Seattle–area chefs competed in the Great American Family Dinner challenge, where they were tasked with making a meal for a family of four for less than $10 in under 30 minutes. We'll find out how they did, and we'll take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website ACLU On Indefinite Detention, And Seattle Houseboat Rule Change Challenge Washington Adjourns The Special Session: Washington lawmakers have adjourned 17 days into a 30–day special session. The closing gavel fell shortly after senators approved nearly $500 million in spending reductions. That solves about a quarter of what budget writers estimate is a $2 billion hole. Lawmakers will tackle the rest of the problem when they return in January for the regular session. Lucky Friday Mine Accident: Crews have rescued seven miners after a collapse at the Lucky F ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Would You Balance Washington's Budget? Washington state is facing a over a billion–dollar budget deficit. Competing interest groups are proposing a number of different ideas on how to close the gap. What would you do? The League of Education Voters, an education lobby group, has built a widget to show you the choices. Fill it out and report back on the air. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Anne Levinson On The Seattle Police Department Last week, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz created two new panels to oversee the use of force. The Justice Department is investigating Seattle P.D. We'll speak with Anne Levinson, the civilian auditor for the City of Seattle Police Department's Office of Professional Accountability. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Advocacy Groups Argue Rental Code Regulations Advocacy Groups Argue Rental Code Regulations: Renter and landlord advocacy groups are battling over how the city should ensure rental properties are up to code. Seattle City Council passed a new ordinance last year requiring mandatory third party inspections every three years, but the law has not taken effect yet. Now, Seattle's Department of Planning and Development is recommending the city drop the mandatory third party inspection, and renter's advocates are crying foul. We'll hear from ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website NTSB Recommends Total Ban On Cell Phones While Driving The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) said this week that states should ban driver use of all cell phones and other portable electronic devices. Emergencies would be exceptions. The recommendation applies to both hands–free and hand–held phones. What do you think? Should all use of cell phones be banned while driving? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Egyptian Elections: Where Is The Country Headed Next Egypt is holding elections this week. Religious parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood, are doing much better than Egypt's secular parties. What will that mean for Egypt's future? We talk to a UW professor who brought us breaking news reports from Cairo when the uprising started. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Port Of Seattle Protest, And Seattle Housing Prices On The Rise Police Arrest 11 At Port Of Seattle Protest: Police used horses, stun grenades and pepper spray yesterday evening to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to Terminal 18 at the Port of Seattle. The blockade was part of a larger effort to disrupt port traffic up and down the West Coast. KUOW's Bryan Buckalew reports police made 11 arrests. Number Of Washington Uninsured Rising: The number of Washington residents without health insurance is at an all–time high: one million people ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle's Housing Prices Rise Higher A new report from the Seattle Planning Commission has found that it's increasingly harder to afford housing in Seattle. Renters, especially those with very little income, are more likely to spend half their income on housing. There is also a disparity in homeownership rates, especially among black and Latino residents, who are half as likely to own a home than white residents. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Thinking Fast And Slow' A Nobel Prize–winning economist explores the differences between intuition and deliberative thought in his new book "Thinking Fast And Slow," recently named a one of The New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2011. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington State Budget Director, And Are Those Food 'Use By' Dates Real? Everett's Kimberly–Clark Mill To Shut Down: Everett's Kimberly–Clark Mill will shut down in March, and 700 workers will lose their jobs. The company, which makes products like Scott Tissue, was forced to close the mill after a potential sale fell through. State Budget Director Urges Lawmakers To Cut More: State lawmakers are trying to make some progress to deal with the state's $1.4 billion shortfall. The governor now says she knows the Legislature won't be coming up with a fi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Do We Still Need The SAT? The SAT cheating scandal on Long Island is shining a spotlight on the role the test plays in college admissions. Supporters say it measures intelligence and predicts college success. But critics say the SAT is biased against low–income students and hurts some minorities. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gary Oldman In 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' Gary Oldman stars in the film adaptation of John le Carre's bestselling novel. "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is set in Cold War–era 1973, where lieutenant George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is forced out of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service after a mission goes awry. He is soon rehired to sniff out a mole who may be working for the Soviets. The film co–stars Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and John Hurt and is out now in limited release. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Funding Cuts For Tobacco Prevention, And Decide.com Special Session Unlikely To Meet Deadline: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire appears to have given up hope of a balanced budget on her desk by Christmas. Instead, this week her budget director sent lawmakers a shorter wish list to get done before they adjourn for the holidays. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins has this update on the special session of the Legislature. Oren Etzioni On Decide.com: When is the right time to pick up that new gadget? University of Washington computer scienc ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Richard White: 'Railroaded' The transcontinental railroads opened up the western United States in the late 19th century. But as MacArthur award–winning historian Richard White contends in his new book, "Railroaded, " the railroads created a new world because of their failures, not their successes. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Slade Gorton Former Washington Attorney General, US Senator and member of the 9/11 commission Slade Gorton joins us to talk about his half–century in politics, which continues to this day. He's on the redistricting commission that's coming up with a location for the new 10th Congressional district. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Worst Holiday Travel Stories Amazon's New Price Comparison App: Amazon has a phone app that allows you go compare prices in store to prices at their web site. This weekend the internet retailer is offering a $5 discount if you use the app in a store, then buy the item from Amazon. Is that fair? We hear from Marketplace Tech Report's John Moe. Worst holiday travel stories: It's another La Nina year and that may mean snowy roads and icy tarmacs just in time for the holidays here in the Northwest. What's your worst holi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New NPR CEO Gary Knell New NPR CEO Gary Knell: After a few decades on Sesame Street, Gary Knell is now the head of NPR. Though he has only been on the job since Thursday, he sat down to talk with Ross Reynolds about his vision for public radio and how it is like, of all things, Wayne Gretzkey. Soldiers Return: The last large group of Joint Base Lewis–McChord soldiers serving in Iraq has returned home. Landing at McChord field near Tacoma last night, their arrival means only 100 Joint Base Lewis–Mc ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Urban Cyclists - Obnoxious Snobs? Are bicyclists obnoxious snobs? A recent article in Salon says urban cyclists have an image problem, and bike advocates feel those stereotypes are getting in the way of more bike–friendly legislation. Are they right? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website There's No Gift Like Books For The Holidays The days to buy holiday gifts for those on your list are running out. Ross sits down with Rick Simonson from The Elliott Bay Book Company and Marilyn Dahl of Shelf–Awareness and gets advice on what books to give this season. From sci–fi/fantasy to celebrity biography, the mystery of what book to give as a gift is about to be solved. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Barriers To Care For Veterans, And Fish Health At Risk From Oil Veteran's Barriers To Care Are Multifaceted: A recent USA Today analysis showed that more than 200,000 veterans are now seeking care from the VA for post trauma. Many civilian nonprofits are also working to meet the mental health needs of veterans. But as KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports, beyond the system, one of the biggest barriers to care can be the veterans themselves. Puget Sound Health At Risk From Oil: Every year more than 300 tons of petroleum end up in Puget Sound. It gets ther ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Beyond 'Metronatural' - What Is Seattle's Brand? Back in 2006 Seattle started marketing the city as "metronatural." It's supposed to mean "having the characteristics of a world–class metropolis within wild, beautiful natural surroundings." But critics say it sounds more like an urban nudist colony. Tom Norwalk, president and CEO of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells KUOW metronatural has had "a great run for about five years, so it's time to do something just a little bit different." What ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ask The Veterinarian Humans have the advantage of being able to communicate with words about their health, but family pets also face health problems. How do you know when it is time to take your pet to the vet? Is pet insurance really worth it? Are chemical flea treatments more of a risk than a benefit? Veterinarian Karen Hoffman joins us and answers listener questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seniors Concerned About State Budget Cuts, And Copper Mine Cleanup Voters Weigh In On Proposed Budget Cuts: The state Legislature is in the second week of the special session. Lawmakers are meeting in Olympia to deal with Washington's $2 billion budget deficit. They're considering the governor's proposal; cuts to public safety, education, and health care. A powerful group of voters arranged a conference call at a town hall meeting to tell the governor what they thought. KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports. Copper Mine Cleanup: In a tiny village here in the US, a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dan Roam: 'BLAH, BLAH, BLAH' Are we surrounded by too many words, the wrong words, unintelligible words? Dan Roam thinks so. He joins us to discuss his new book, "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH: What To Do When Words Don't Work." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your First Job Did you know that Mick Jagger used to scoop ice cream and that Keith Richards was once a ball boy at a tennis club? Was your first job bagging groceries, or perhaps you found yourself helping at a funeral home? Today on "The Conversation" we want to hear what your first job was. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website NAACP Takes Issue With SPD NAACP Takes Issue With SPD: Leaders with the Seattle chapter of the NAACP say they believe the Seattle attorney was wrong to drop assault charges against a Seattle Police officer. They say the department continues to use excessive force, especially against minorities. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Date Set For MLK Day Bomber's Sentencing Hearing: It took white supremacist Kevin Harpham a few months to collect bomb materials, but newly unsealed documents show he was mired in the Neo–Nazi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Metro Bus Ads: What's The Right Policy? King County Metro says it will accept bus ads urging shoppers to "Buy American" after all. Initially Metro reportedly rejected the campaign for violating its policy barring political ads. This follows last year's decision to only accept "viewpoint neutral" advertising. What do you think Metro's policy on advertising should be? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Kathryn Shulz: 'Being Wrong' Centuries before Descartes wrote "I think therefore I am," Augustine wrote "I err, therefore I am." Journalist and former Grist editor Kathryn Shulz explains why being wrong is not just part of being alive, but in some ways proof that you are alive in her brilliant new book, "Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What's The Boeing Deal Mean, World AIDS Day, And The Governor's Pot Proposal NYT's Steven Greenhouse On Boeing Deal: Yesterday Boeing and the International Association of Machinists reached a deal. Boeing called it "a paradigm shift" in relations between labor and management. The deal includes a four–year contract extension and a commitment from Boeing to build the 737 MAX in Renton alongside the existing 737. World AIDS Day In King County: There are more than 33 million people currently living with HIV in the World, and more than 1 million of thos ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Where To Donate? Two experts on charitable giving answer your questions. What charities or causes do you help support? How do you decide where to donate? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website To Tax, Or Not To Tax: Business Groups Divided Business Groups Split On Proposed Sales Tax Hike: Chris Gregoire's proposal to help balance the state budget with a half–penny sales tax increase is dividing business groups. The president of the Association of Washington Business says taxes should be on the table. But the state director of The National Federation of Independent Business says it's a terrible time to raise the sales tax. We'll talk to both sides. Government Gets More Aggressive To Curtail Wood Stove Smoke: As winte ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wash. State GOP: Expand Slot Gambling For More Revenue Republican lawmakers in Olympia are proposing an expansion of slot machines into card rooms or restaurants to help balance the state budget. Is more gambling the answer to the state's budget woes? We'll talk to both sides, and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Kent Greenfield And 'The Myth Of Choice' American society is based on the idea of free choice in politics and commerce. But what happens if we have less free choice than we think we do? Law professor Kent Greenfield explores the problem in his new book "The Myth of Choice: Personal Responsibility in a World of Limits." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Olympia Occupied As Special Session Begins Olympia Occupied As Special Session Begins: Washington state troopers arrested four people and issued 30 trespass warnings on day one of Washington's special legislative session. The Legislature reconvened on Monday to address another $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports that some protesters disrupted official business. Candy Ban: Beginning next year, the city of Seattle will remove candy and sodas from city vending machines. KUOW's Deborah Wong h ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Somalia's Struggle A country that has struggled with political strife for years, the situation in Somalia has worsened as drought and famine have struck the region, contributing considerably to the instability and human suffering. We look at the situation on the ground in Somalia, and how the conditions complicate foreign aid that aims to address Somalia's struggles. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Law Enforcement Against Drug Prohibition The US government has spent around one trillion dollars fighting the war on drugs. How successful has this war been? Not very, according to Major Neill Franklin. He's a 34–year veteran of the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department, and the executive director of a group called LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition). We'll get Major Franklin's take on the war on drugs, and how he thinks it has affected communities of color. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Special Session Preview, And Vaccine Hesitancy In Wash. State Plan B Goes To Court: The State's Pharmacy Board rules regarding the so–called morning–after pill are being challenged in federal court in Tacoma today. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports on the decision that could affect access to this emergency contraceptive. Let The Special Session Begin: Washington lawmakers return to the capital Monday for a 30–day special session legislature. Their job: tackle a $1.4 billion budget gap. They also have before them the governor's proposal ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Where's Metro Headed? King County Metro provides 100 million rides per year. What changes are in store for Metro heading into 2012? The general manager of King County Metro joins us, and we take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ask The Traffic Cop Just how illegal is a rolling stop? How often do police pull people over for not signaling? Officer John Abraham is back to answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are Corporations People Too? Earlier this month at the Iowa State Fair, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, "Corporations are a lot like you and me." Beltway pundits are calling it a campaign gaffe. But what was Romney actually getting at? Are corporations people? If you cut them, do they bleed? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Skyjack: The Hunt For D.B. Cooper' Who was, or is, D.B. Cooper? Geoffrey Gray went on a quest to write a new account about the infamous hijacker who jumped out of a jet between Seattle and Portland with a parachute and $200,000, called "Skyjack." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nora Ephron Film director, screenwriter, novelist and journalist Nora Ephron joins us to talk about movie making and everything she hasn't yet forgotten. The films she's written or directed include "Silkwood," "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Julie and Julia." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Oregon Moratorium On Death Penalty, And Seattle Police Pepper Spray Policy Oregon Gov. Moratorium On The Death Penalty: Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber made a stunning announcement today. He's calling off the execution of two–time murderer Gary Haugen which was scheduled for two weeks from Tuesday. In a somber press conference in Salem, Kitzhaber went even further. He said as long as he's governor, no inmate will be put to death in Oregon. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports. Seattle Police Policy On Pepper Spray: The use of pepper spray at Occupy pro ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Marc Maron, 'WTF' Marc Maron is a stand–up comic and former Air America host who has a podcast called "WTF," in which he free–associates about life and interviews fellow comedians and other guests like Ira Glass and Norm McDonald. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Storytelling In The Digital Age In the era of camera phones, Facebook and Twitter, almost everyone can tell their stories to a worldwide audience. But that doesn't mean anyone will listen or watch. Hanson Hosein, director of the digital media program at UW, talks about the storyteller uprising. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Occupy Seattle Splinters, And Deep-Voiced Politicians Occupied Foreclosed Home: Some members of Occupy Seattle are now occupying an abandoned house in the city's Central District. Today is day three of this splinter occupation, and it's causing some talk among neighbors. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. Electric Cars: You've probably seen plum parking spots set aside for electric cars, and maybe you have even shaken your fist at an empty space. More than 1,000 Northwest drivers have hit the road this year with the first mass–market electric ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Reactions To Governor's Budget Proposal Governor Gregoire's supplemental budget aims to soften cuts to education, health care and public safety. Specifically, the governor says her half–cent sales tax increase would buy back cuts to higher education and health care for the disabled and elderly. How are state lawmakers and policy analysts reacting to the governor's proposed budget? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Brian Baird On Congressional Insider Trading Former Washington Representative Brian Baird thinks that steps need to be taken to prevent Congressional insider trading. We'll ask him what he thinks is happening and what he wants to change. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Chris Gregoire Unveils New Budget Proposal Washington Governor Chris Gregoire released her supplemental budget proposal this morning. She asked for a half–penny sales tax increase to avoid cuts to education, public safety and education. She joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website I-502: The Effort To Legalize Marijuana An initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Washington state has an unlikely supporter: former US Attorney John McKay. He prosecuted marijuana dealers. Now he says legalization is needed to increase public safety. He joins us. We'll also hear from the group opposing the measure. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Do You Think Of Seattle's Proposed Plastic Bag Ban? Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien will introduce a bill today that would ban single–use plastic bags. The measure is intended to help clean up Puget Sound and protect marine wildlife. If passed, Seattle would join Bellingham and Edmonds in efforts to curb the impact of single–use plastic bags on the environment. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Occupy The Bridges, And Fishbone Film Occupy The Bridges: In Seattle yesterday, marchers called for raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans to avoid more cuts to schools, government programs and infrastructure like aging bridges. Amy Radil reports. New State Skier Safety Law in Effect As Opening Day Commences: Snow hit the Cascade Mountains this week and that launched the start of ski season. KUOW's Sara Lerner reports on a new state skier safety law. Mentally Ill Teens In Rural Washington: This week we're reporting on fai ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Diane Ravitch Criticizes Gates Foundation On Education New York University Professor Diane Ravitch is one of the nation's most prominent critics of the Gates Foundation's approach to education reform — including merit pay for teachers. Ravitch claims, "The movement Bill Gates has launched has created enormous hostility toward teachers." We'll find out why she thinks the Gates Foundation has it wrong on education reform, and what she thinks needs to be done instead. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What You Do And Don't Know About The 1962 Seattle World's Fair The 1962 Seattle World's Fair featured astronauts and sky rides. But it also featured an adults–only puppet show. The authors of a new book on the Seattle World's Fair, Alan Stein and Paula Becker, join us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Economist Forecasts $1.4 Billion Deficit: What Will That Mean For You? Austin Jenkins On State Budget Forecast: State Chief Economist Arun Raha is out today with the latest revenue forecast. How does this latest forecast change the equation for lawmakers in Olympia? What's it going to mean for you? We take a closer look with our man in Olympia, Austin Jenkins. Wind Turbines: Four public utilities cancel plans for a wind farm because of concerns the turbines will kill an endangered bird. Tom Banse reports. Mentally Ill Teens: The research is clear that early ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Who's In Charge? Research suggests that our conscious mind isn't in charge, and our judgment is clouded by quirks in our brains. So who's in charge? Psychology professor Michael Gazzaniga asks that question in his new book about free will and the science of the brain, "Who's In Charge?" Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington State And China Washington state exports $6.8 billion in goods to China. But politicians in the other Washington are proposing trade sanctions on the emerging power. Why does Washington state maintain strong ties with China despite rising tensions between the two nations? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Latest On Seattle-Area Medical Marijuana Dispensary Raids Update On Seattle–Area Marijuana Dispensaries Raids: There was a major crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries yesterday afternoon. We'll get an update about what that means from KUOW reporters. Gregoire Appoints Supreme Court Justice Vocal On Racial Disparities: Washington will have a new Supreme Court justice come January. He's Superior Court Judge Steven Gonzalez of Seattle — the first ethnic minority to serve on the high court in nearly a decade. He's also an outspoke ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Competition In The Science Field The American system of science is highly competitive, but is all that competition holding us back? Scientist and author Michael Nielsen thinks so. He joins us to discuss his new book, "Reinventing Discovery: The New Era Of Networked Science." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cycling In And Out Of Detention Every year in the Northwest, thousands of mentally ill teenagers get caught up in the juvenile justice system. In fact, some counties estimate more than half of the kids they place behind bars have a diagnosable mental health condition, like schizophrenia, bipolar or personality disorder. Yet many of these teens do not get the treatment they need. Today, we'll hear one story from reporter Austin Jenkins and then from two experts on the subject. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What's Next For Occupy Seattle? What's Next For Occupy Seattle? Police evicted Occupy Wall Street protestors from Manhattan's Zuccotti Park this morning. Authorities have also booted Occupy Oakland and Occupy Portland demonstrators in recent days. What's next for Occupy Seattle? KUOW's Liz Jones joins us from Seattle Central Community College, where the protesters are camped. Seattle And UW Announce Project To Bring Fiber Optic Cable To Homes: The city of Seattle is trying to bring faster broadband service to people's ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Shorter School Year To Balance The Budget? Washington state superintendents are backing a shorter school year to avoid other state funding cuts to education. We'll hear from both sides and take your phone calls. What do you think of the proposed shorter school year to balance the state budget? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nada Prouty: 'Uncompromised' Nada Prouty risked her life as an undercover spy for the FBI and CIA. She worked on the USS Cole bombing and was stationed in Baghdad during the Iraq War. In 2005, she was charged with passing secrets to Hezbollah and dubbed "Jihad Jane." Prouty was later exonerated on the espionage charges, but was then accused of immigration fraud for paying a man to marry her to get immigration papers. She joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Occupy Portland Ousted By Mayor Intiman Theater Will Reopen: Intiman Theater will announce today plans to reopen next summer. The company hopes to produce a four–play festival if it can come up with the money. KUOW's Marcie Sillman reports. Occupy Portland Kicked Out Of Park: After 39 days, the Occupy Portland encampments in Chapman and Lownsdale squares were shut down by police by order of Portland Mayor Sam Adams. Hospital Noise: Hospitals have long fought disease. Many of them are now fighting noise as well. No ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debating How To Fix The State Budget When the state Legislature convenes in special session after Thanksgiving, their job will be fixing a $2 billion budget shortfall. Marilyn Watkins, policy director at the Economic Opportunities Institute, thinks they need to bring in more money. Paul Guppy of the Washington Policy Center thinks lawmakers should cut more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Robert Trivers: 'Folly Of Fools' Self–deception warps our view of the world and can have terrible consequences. So why do we do it? Evolutionary theorist Robert Trivers explores the origin and cost of self–deception in his new book, "The Folly Of Fools." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Marine's Path To Peace War changes people. It changed Rye Barcott. He's an Iraq war veteran and the founder of a nonprofit that takes a collaborative approach to alleviating poverty in Kenya. We'll talk to him about that work and about his book, "It Happened On The Way To War: A Marine's Path To Peace." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Following The 5th Stryker Brigade When the 5th Stryker Brigade returned to Joint Base Lewis–McChord, correspondent Austin Jenkins was there to greet them. Over the course of the next year, Jenkins followed the war–weary men and women of the 5th Brigade. Today we'll hear three of his stories, each about dealing about the aftermath of war. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Moral Soldier How does the moral weight of war wear on soldiers? What are the moral injuries of combat? Former Naval Academy ethicist Nancy Sherman is a philosopher and psychoanalyst at Georgetown University. She interviewed soldiers past and present to explore these questions in her book "The Untold War: Inside The Hearts, Minds, And Souls Of Our Soldiers." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Vice Crime writer Rick Anderson has documented Seattle's history of corruption, open prostitution and graft. He tells the story in his book, "Seattle Vice: Strippers, Prostitution, Dirty Money, And Crooked Cops In The Emerald City." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rick Springfield You might know pop star Rick Springfield for his durable hit "Jessie's Girl" or his role as Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital." But did you know he played in a band that toured Vietnam during the height of the war? Or that he's Australian? Rick Springfield also talks about his lifelong struggle with depression and his ongoing role as a reprobate pop star on Showtime's "Californication." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Capitalizing On Our Irrationality: Dan Ariely Can it be advantageous to be irrational? Duke psychology and economics professor Dan Ariely talks about his book "The Upside Of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits Of Defying Logic At Work And At Home." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election-Palooza: 1183 Wins, What Next? What's exactly happens with liquor privatization? We check in with the state Liquor Control Board. Plus, AP News Editor Chris Grygiel weighs in on 1183 and the other state initiatives. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election-Palooza, Part II: McGinn On Proposition 1 Mayor McGinn On Proposition 1, What Now? Mayor Mike McGinn joins us to discuss what happens now that Prop. 1 didn't pass. KUOW's Deborah Wang and The Associated Press' Chris Grygiel also join us. Washington Voters Pass Long–Term Care Initiative: Once again, Washington voters have approved a measure that requires more training for long–term care workers. Initiative 1163 would also require stiffer background checks. In 2008, voters passed a similar measure but the law has y ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election-Palooza, Part III, And Wash. State Auditor Says Emails Can Save Money Election–Palooza, Part III: We discuss who won in the races for the School Board and Tacoma's approval of a measure to limit pot arrests. Emailing Could Save Money For The State: Earlier this year, State Auditor Brian Sonntag got an email from a state employee suggesting that her department could save close to $50,000 in postage by communicating to clients by email. That email prompted a study by the Auditor's Office, and a report released earlier this month shows that the state c ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website When Good Laws Go Bad Seattle Schools Reverse Course On Proposed Censorship Policy: The Seattle School District changed course Monday on a proposed policy to restrict student speech and publications. New rules would have given principals the power to quash stories in the student newspaper. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher broke the story last Thursday. Now the district says it will keep its policy of freedom of the press. State Audit Blasts Seattle's Indian Services Commission: A newly released state audit of Seattle ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are You Voting? Nationally, about 37 percent of the people who are eligible to vote actually did vote last year. What about you? Are you voting in today's election? Today, we talk to a Harvard professor who studies the psychology of voter participation, and we'll take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website When Good Laws Attack Law Professor Richard Thompson Ford says outright discrimination is relatively rare these days, thanks to the Civil Rights Movement and the laws it helped pass. Still, in cases where discrimination is alleged, Ford argues civil rights laws are being misused. He joins us for an analysis of good laws gone wrong. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Protests, And Cop Cams Mayors Protest Governor Gregoire's Budget: Mayors from 150 cities around the state have written a letter protesting Governor's Gregoire's proposed $2 billion in budget cuts to balance the state budget. We check in with Dan Pike, the mayor of Bellingham. Cop Cams In Seattle And Beyond: The next time you talk to a police officer, you might find yourself staring into a lens. Companies such as Taser and Vievu are making small, durable cameras designed to be worn on police officers' uniforms. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Powering The Future Nobel Prize–winning physicist Robert B. Laughlin joins us to talk about his new book "Powering the Future: How We Will (Eventually) Solve The Energy Crisis And Fuel The Civilization Of Tomorrow." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Larrys For King County Council Two of the longest&ndashserving members of the King County Council are running unopposed. We'll find out where incumbents Larry Gossett and Larry Phillips stand on the issues. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Corporations Paying No Federal Taxes Why Do Boeing And Paccar Pay Less Than Zero In Federal Taxes?: The US corporate tax rate is 35 percent. But according to a recent study, a long list of Fortune 500 companies paid less than 0 percent of their federal taxes between 2008 and 2010, including Boeing and Paccar. We talk to the author of the study. Ads Get Ugly In Hague–Mitchell Race: The race for King County's 6th District on the Eastside is turning into one of the most hard–fought in this election year. Incumbent Ja ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Meaning Of Food Who started the first restaurant and what was its significance in modern culture? And why does Adam Gopnik think the Slow Food movement is too pious? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Get Into College In 2012 This was the hardest year — ever — to get into college. Why is it getting so competitive? We'll have admissions experts on hand to answer your questions. How much does the college essay matter? Is there such a thing as too many extracurricular activities? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Liquor Revenue, And Seattle City Council Race Cities Protest Loss Of State Liquor Revenue: Ever since Prohibition ended in Washington state, the state has been sharing its liquor profits and tax revenues with local governments. The payments were predictable, formula–based and provided a boost to general funds for cities and counties. But Governor Gregoire says the state can no longer afford to be so generous. Supporters of the proposal to privatize liquor sales say this dispute only makes their case more urgent. KUOW's Amy Radil ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Super Committee, And Reading 'Moby–Dick' House Republicans Ask Super Committee To Put Tax Hikes On The Table: Yesterday, 40 House Republicans joined 60 Democrats in an effort to encourage the Deficit Reduction Committee, also known as the super committee, to reach a deal by their Thanksgiving deadline. The letter was signed by Washington's own Norm Dicks, Rick Larson and Adam Smith. Will it lead to a deal by the deadline? Is Transparency Always A Good Thing? Critics say the super committee has not been transparent enough about it ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Very (Or Somewhat) Superstitious? Halloween came and went this week but for many people superstitions aren't just seasonal. Do you knock on wood? Do you avoid walking under ladders? Do you also consider yourself a rational person? We discuss superstition with a psychologist and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Exploding Shipping Containers, And Overpopulation Refrigerated Shipping Containers Pose Safety Risk: Four explosions have been tied to refrigerated shipping containers at ports around the world. Investigators suspect bad coolant is the problem. Inmates Help With Washington Apple Harvest: So far, just one apple orchard in Washington has taken up the state's offer for inmates to help with the harvest. That's despite a severe worker shortage that has many growers facing big losses, as KUOW's Liz Jones reports. Family Of Gored Hiker Sues ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The Conversation' Ballot Party On The Air Your mail–in ballot is due November 8. Are you still undecided on some of the issues? Grab your ballot and turn on the radio. Political science Professor Todd Donovan and AP News Editor Chris Grygiel will be on hand to take your phone calls and answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Who Was Copernicus? Best–selling science writer Dava Sobel is the author of a new book on Copernicus. He's the guy who said the sun — not the earth — is the center of our solar system. In 1514, that was heresy. In 2011, Sobel is encountering protestors on her book tour who reject Copernicus as "anti–God." But Copernicus himself saw no conflict between his Catholic faith and a sun–centered solar system. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Considers Revenue, And Facebook Tweens Taxes On The Table? Last week, Governor Chris Gregoire said she'll consider new state revenues to restore some of the $2 billion in cuts needed to balance the state budget, but she was short on specifics. Now some more concrete proposals are starting to emerge. KUOW's Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins discusses what might be on the table. Toledo v. McDermott: After 11 months, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott is once again facing challenger Diana Toledo in the race for District ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Denmark's Fat Tax, And Mark Bittman On Junk Food Denmark Fat Tax: Denmark recently enacted a tax on saturated fats in the hopes of improving national health. A half pound of butter when up 45 cents. Will Danes really reduce the amount of fatty foods in their diet? Would a fat tax work in the US, where nearly one–third of the country is obese? Mark Bittman On Eating Healthy: Fast food is considered by many to be one of the cheapest ways to feed a family, but is it? Food journalist and columnist for The New York Times, Mark Bittm ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Thinking Fast And Slow' A Nobel Prize–winning economist explores the differences between intuition and deliberative thought in his new book, "Thinking Fast And Slow." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election 2011: Parsing New Washington Poll Results Polling Washington: The new Washington Poll shows the liquor privatization Initiative 1183 seven points up in the polls, while Tim Eyman's tolling measure 1125 is neck–and–neck. We interview pollster Matt Barreto. Military Kids At Risk: As of last year close to two million children in the US had at least one parent serving in the military. Now researchers have determined that adolescents with at least one parent on active duty are more likely to carry a weapon and engage in vi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Changing Your Bank November 5 is national Fire Your Bank Day. With Occupy Wall Street, credit unions have seen a huge rise in membership. Should you switch? What is the difference between a credit union and a big bank? Felix Salmon is a financial blogger for Reuters. We'll talk to him about where you should keep your money. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nathan Myhrvold On Modernist Cuisine And Patenting Nathan Myhrvold discusses his six–volume, $600 cook book and the controversial patent work of his Bellevue–based company Intellectual Ventures. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington Teacher of the Year, And Tateuchi Center The Freedom To Honk: Maybe you've done it: You've gotten mad in your car and honked your horn. Depending where you did it, it could have been against the law. But the law could have been unconstitutional — it all depends on how it was written. That's the word from the Supreme Court of Washington state yesterday. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Teacher Of The Year: Ross talks with the 2012 Washington state Teacher of the Year, Mark Ray, about teaching and fighting 'truthiness.' ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle City Council Race: Position 1 Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden faces one of the toughest political challenges of her career in her run against Bobby Forch. Both candidates join Ross in studio. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Rin Tin Tin' By Susan Orlean After writing "The Orchid Thief," writing about a long–passed acting canine may seem like a departure, but The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean insists that the dog's rise to fame and cultural impact are more dramatic than one might think. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Gregoire Proposes $2 Billion In New State Budget Cuts Governor Gregoire is out today with $2 billion in proposed budget cuts. We'll ask the governor about her list of alternatives for the state legislature. They're back in session right after Thanksgiving to try to resolve the state's continuing budget crisis. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Reactions, Dam Demolition, And Truthiness React To The Governor's Budget Proposal: We hear reaction to the governor's new budget proposal from Republican State Representative Gary Alexander, the ElderCare Alliance, the Association of Washington Business and the University of Washington. Big Bang At Dam Launches Hopes For Salmon And Kayakers: Southwest Washington's White Salmon River is running free this morning for the first time in a century. Yesterday, demolition contractors executed their plan flawlessly to blast a hole in the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website District 1 School Board Race Seattle School Board member Peter Maier and challenger Sharon Peaslee give us their letter grade for the school district. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bellevue City Council Race, And Swarm Of Bees Bellevue City Council Race: If Tim Eyman's 1125 Initiative passed, it will stop plans to run a new light rail line over the I–90 bridge. But Eyman's initiative isn't the only election issue that would affect Eastside light rail. As KUOW's Amy Radil reports, the results of City Council elections in Bellevue could determine when light rail gets to the Eastside and how Bellevue pays for it. Truck Driver Survives Swarm Of 25 Million Bees: A Gig Harbor trucker tells about what happened ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The State Of The United States A new poll shows more than two–thirds of voters say the United States is in decline. Nearly half those surveyed by the other Washington's magazine, The Hill, say they're very worried about the future of the nation. How about you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mark Bowden's 'WORM' The author of "Black Hawk Down," Mark Bowden, has turned his attention from shooting wars to cyberwars for his new book about Conficker, a software worm that infected more than 12 million computers. The US government was only dimly aware of the threat, but the geeks rallied to fight it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle School Scandal Update, And ACLU On Library Filtering King County Prosecutor Investigates Seattle Public Schools: Earlier today, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg announced his findings from an investigation looking at Seattle Public Schools' small business development program, and charges the program's former head, Silas Potter, with felony theft of over a quarter million dollars. ACLU Takes Eastern Washington Library To Court: Some libraries use internet filters to keep out porn. Thing is, the filters also prevent library patrons fr ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Your Medical Mind: How To Decide What Is Right For You' How do you make important medical decisions? Do you tend to base your treatments on facts or feelings? Two physicians joins us with advice on how to decide what is right for you as a patient. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle School Board School Board candidates Sherry Carr and Kate Martin join Ross in studio to discuss the state of Seattle's public schools. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Viaduct Update And 'It Can't Happen Here' Commuters Deal With Viaduct Closure: This morning was the first weekday closure of the Alaska Way Viaduct, one of the city's main north–south highways. Many predicted gridlock, especially on the West Seattle Bridge. Joining us for an update is Tracy Record, co–publisher and editor of the West Seattle Blog. Coroner: Heart Condition Caused Wash. State Senator's Death: Washington Democrats have lost a piece of their future. That's how one friend describes what it means that 41& ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Steven Pinker On The Decline In Violence, Part I War, crime and terrorism dominate the evening news. You might think violence is on the rise all over the globe. But Steven Pinker says the opposite is true — we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species' existence. He's the bestselling author of "The Language Instinct" and "How the Mind Works." Steven Pinker's controversial new book is "The Better Angels Of Our Nature." He joins is today in front of a live audience. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Steven Pinker On The Decline In Violence, Part II War, crime and terrorism dominate the evening news. You might think violence is on the rise all over the globe. But Steven Pinker says the opposite is true — we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species' existence. He's the bestselling author of "The Language Instinct" and "How the Mind Works." Steven Pinker's controversial new book is "The Better Angels Of Our Nature." He joins is today in front of a live audience. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No GOP Primary Reduces Wash.'s Clout Says Secretary Of State Sam Reed EPA Yanks Puget Sound Partnership Funds: Federal officials want their money back — from the Puget Sound Partnership. The Environmental Protection Agency is calling for the Partnership to return more than $120,000 in grants. It's a small fraction of the federal money that the state agency handles. But the EPA says it reflects a "fundamental systemic weakness" in the Partnership's internal controls. KUOW's John Ryan reports. Northwest's Last Chemical Weapons Headed To Inci ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Will You Vote on I–1125? Tim Eyman's toll initiative, 1125, will prevent light rail from running on the I–90, put the Legislature in charge of toll fees and stop the practice of using different toll rates depending on the traffic. Are you for it or against it? We'll hear from both sides and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New And Old Music With Charles Cross Most people have heard of Pandora, the Internet radio that uses mathematical algorithms to suggest new music based on songs you've already listened to. But Pandora doesn't work for a lot of local music. It also lacks the personal touch a DJ or a music historian might have. Today, we have author Charles R. Cross to discuss some new and old music. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Controversy Over Genetically Modified Mosquitoes And HIV Prevention In India Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: Malaria kills an estimated one million children a year in Africa. Killing the mosquitoes that spread the disease is a top priority. But a new method of killing the insects is raising some controversy — it involves genetically modifying mosquitoes. Scientific American Editor Micheal Moyer explains. Gates–Funded HIV Prevention Program: A pilot HIV prevention program in India may have prevented around 100,000 people from getting the disease over ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Will You Vote On Seattle Prop 1 To Increase Car License Fee? Proposition 1 in Seattle asks voters to approve a $60 fee on their car tabs to pay for transportation improvements. Is it worth it? We'll take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Exploring The World Of Cybercrime Cyber thieves steal so many Social Security and credit card numbers they have to sell them wholesale to crooks who cash them in. Former BBC correspondent Misha Glenny explains the world of cybercrime. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma Pot Initiative, And Roosevelt Rezone Tacoma Initiative 1 Would Make Pot Arrests Lower Priority: Next month, Tacoma voters will weigh on how police should react when someone smokes pot in public or when someone is caught with a few joints in their pocket. Police and prosecutors in Tacoma say these pot crimes are already a low priority. But, as KUOW's Liz Jones reports, backers of Initiative 1 want a stronger guarantee. Roosevelt Neighborhood At Odds With Redevelopment Plans: Regional planners expect the combined population ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Affordable Housing In Seattle And King County This year, the King County Housing Authority received over 25,000 applications to get on the wait list for federal low income housing assistance — more than double the number who applied in 2007. But there were only 2500 spots. What is to be done? We talk to two affordable housing advocates and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Worst. Movie. Ever. The 1986 film "Legend" features Tom Cruise as a forest nymph and Tim Curry as a devilish "Lord of Darkness" obsessed with killing unicorns. Some call it the worst movie ever made. But was it? What is the worst movie ever made? What made it so bad? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website City Council Election, I-1163, And Hydropower Councilmember Tom Rasmussen Faces Opponent With Troubled Past: In Seattle, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen may be the incumbent with the safest seat this election cycle. Rasmussen was first elected to the Council in 2003. When he ran for re–election four years later, he cruised to victory unopposed. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports this election cycle, Rasmussen faces a political newcomer with a checkered past. Washington Labor Group Tries Again For Caregiver Training: This fall, vote ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The History Of Social Security GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Is he right? We'll hear from nationally–known Social Security expert Nancy Altman. She wrote "The Battle For Social Security: From FDR's Vision To Bush's Gamble." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Author Of 'Snow Falling On Cedars' Talks About His New Book Novelist David Guterson's new book "Ed King" adapts the Oedipus myth to the Northwest. It begins at the 1962 World's Fair and runs into the present high–tech era. His protagonist becomes king of internet search, only find the truth does not set him free. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Occupy Seattle' Update, Apple Labor Shortage, Advice On The Viaduct Closure Police Clear Tents From Westlake Park: Seattle Police enforced no–camping rules at Seattle's Westlake Park this morning. Several hundred demonstrators were camped out there overnight in defiance of Mayor Mike McGinn's request they vacate the park at night. We'll bring you the latest on this developing story. State Apple Growers Face Worker Shortage: Governor Chris Gregoire says a growing shortage of apple pickers in Washington state is a major problem. Apple growers have posted hel ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Will You Vote On I-1183 To Privatize Liquor? Should Washington state get out of the liquor business? That's Initiative 1183. We'll take listener calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Best (And Worst) Job Interview Getting the job interview right may be even more important in tough economic times. Have you ever bombed (or aced) an interview? Do you have advice for job seekers based on your experience as an employer? We'll have an interview expert on hand and we'll hear about people's best and worst interviews. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mitt Romney's Pledge, Border Questions, 'Occupy Seattle,' And Bilingual Ballots Romney Pledges To Take On Unfair Business Practices: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took on US trade policy during a speech at the Microsoft campus in Redmond on Thursday. KUOW's Amy Radil reports Romney told Microsoft employees he'd push for free trade "everywhere in the world." Northern Border Fence Idea Raises Eyebrows Along Frontier: A planning document describing possible security enhancements along our northern border is raising eyebrows both in Canada and ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Advice For 'Occupy Seattle' Demonstrators Police arrested 10 more people last night at the "Occupy Seattle" demonstration in Seattle's Westlake Park. The demonstration is in its second week. It started in support of the "Occupy Wall Street" protests in New York. Now cities all over the United States are being "occupied." What's your advice to the Occupiers? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Figuring Out Food Safety Food–borne illnesses are a concern in both restaurants and in the home. Joining us to answer your food safety questions is Phil Wyman from Public Health, Seattle King County. Mr. Wyman is senior environmental health specialist. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Free Trade, And Mitt Romney In Seattle New Free Trade Deals: Yesterday, Congress rapidly approved free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea. What will it mean for Washington, where as many as one in four jobs depend on trade? Mitt Romney Visits Seattle: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is in Seattle today for a fundraiser. Former Washington state Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance talks about how the GOP frontrunner is doing in our state. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Goes On In Your Mind Part II, And Eliminating Malaria What Goes On In Your Mind Part II: How much of what we perceive is out there in the world and how much is in our minds? Neuroscientists Tali Sharot and David Eagleman discuss the optimism bias in the brain and how we wrap our minds around time and space. Eliminating Malaria: The Seattle–based global health organization PATH says malaria can be eliminated in Africa. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Life Blood: Can We End Malaria? Three years ago malaria affected half the planet and killed a million people a year. Today, health workers think they can eliminate malaria. Time magazine writer and author of the book "Lifeblood: How To Change The World, One Dead Mosquito At A Time," Alex Perry joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget, And Marriage Washington State: Budget Cuts Vs. Tax Increases: Washington's budget is deeply in the red again; by about $1.25 billion. The Legislature will be in special session, again, to deal with it. Should they just make cuts? Or should legislators also look at adding revenue from taxes or closing tax loopholes? Making Marriage Work: Are there tell tale signs that a relationship is destined to work or fail? We talk with author and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Washington ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'On The Media's' Brooke Gladstone On 'The Influencing Machine' In this special rebroadcast, Brooke Gladstone joins a live studio audience at KUOW's performance studio to discuss her comic book manifesto about the media and its discontents. She's not that worried about political bias from Fox News or The New York Times, but Brooke Gladstone is concerned about what she calls "narrative bias." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Constitution Cafe' What would happen if we rewrote the constitution? Educator and author Christopher Phillips traveled cross country to talk to Army vets, law students, tea party activists and Burning Man attendees about how it could be improved. We'll have a conversation cafe to find out what you would do. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Constitution Cafe' What would happen if we rewrote the constitution? Educator and author Christopher Phillips traveled cross country to talk to Army vets, law students, tea party activists and Burning Man attendees about how it could be improved. We'll have a conversation cafe to find out what you would do. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Parsing Prop. I, 'The Filter Bubble,' And Humor Abuse Prop. 1: Seattle residents will be voting this fall on an initiative to improve the city's transportation system. Proposition 1 asks voters whether they want to raise their car tabs by $60. The money would pay for a range of transportation improvements in the city, from street and sidewalk repair to new crosswalks and bus lanes. Seattle is usually supportive of efforts to fund transportation projects, but this ballot measure is generating an unusual amount of opposition. KUOW's Deborah Wa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Parsing Prop. I, 'The Filter Bubble,' And Humor Abuse Prop. 1: Seattle residents will be voting this fall on an initiative to improve the city's transportation system. Proposition 1 asks voters whether they want to raise their car tabs by $60. The money would pay for a range of transportation improvements in the city, from street and sidewalk repair to new crosswalks and bus lanes. Seattle is usually supportive of efforts to fund transportation projects, but this ballot measure is generating an unusual amount of opposition. KUOW's Deborah Wa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Adbusters On 'Occupy Everywhere,' And When Does Slang Stick? Occupy Everywhere — The Founder Of Adbusters: The Occupy Wall Street protests have spread to Seattle and Eastern Washington. We'll bring you the latest from Downtown Seattle, find out what's happening in Eastern Washington and interview the founder of the Vancouver–based anti–consumerist magazine Adbusters. When Does Slang Stick? Language expert Ben Zimmer says there are some things you didn't want to be called in London back in 1699. Like 'burly–sop' or 'clo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Adbusters On 'Occupy Everywhere,' And When Does Slang Stick? Occupy Everywhere — The Founder Of Adbusters: The Occupy Wall Street protests have spread to Seattle and Eastern Washington. We'll bring you the latest from Downtown Seattle, find out what's happening in Eastern Washington and interview the founder of the Vancouver–based anti–consumerist magazine Adbusters. When Does Slang Stick? Language expert Ben Zimmer says there are some things you didn't want to be called in London back in 1699. Like 'burly–sop' or 'clo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Before Seattle Rocked' New Apple CEO Unveils New iPhone: Apple has already sold more than 110 million iPhones worldwide and today the company released the much anticipated iPhone 5. Small Businesses Not The Key To Creating Jobs: Around 14 million Americans are out of work, and it's conventional wisdom in the other Washington that small business is the key to turning that number around. But our guest today says the conventional wisdom is wrong and big businesses is the answer. 'Before Seattle Rocked:' If you ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Vote Suppression, And Killing US Citizens Voter Suppression? After taking effect in 2012, 21 new voting laws are set to effect more than 5 million people. We take a look at what the laws are and where these changes are happening. Weekday High — Students And Police: Seattle Police Officers take part in a role reversal exercise with some teenagers as both groups try to better understand each other. Killing US Citizens: Was it constitutional for the president to order the killing of American–born cleric Anwar al&nda ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Vietnam Memorial, Controversial Teacher Firing, And Medicaid ER Visit Limits Wash. Supreme Court Rules On Teacher Firing: The Supreme Court of Washington decided yesterday that a high school teacher in Federal Way should not have been fired. The one justice who dissented says the opinion makes it too hard to fire teachers now for misconduct, even though the opinion restores rights the court established 25 years ago. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Medicaid Caps On ER Visits: Each day about 170 patients come through the emergency room at Tacoma's St. Joseph Medic ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Cartel: The Coming Invasion Of Mexico's Drug War' According to author Sylvia Longmire, it isn't just US border towns that are being threatened by the violence of Mexico's drug cartels. She says that operations have spread to more than 1,000 US cities. What is the state of the drug wars in Mexico, and what is being done to stop it? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Best Seattle Bar The oldest bar in Seattle is the Central Saloon in Pioneer Square, founded in 1892. Since then, the Emerald City has seen hundreds of bars come and go. What bar is your favorite? Do you have a dive bar that you can't get enough of, or perhaps a wine bar is more your scene? We want to know what your favorite Seattle bar is, and why. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Insurance Rates And Labor After Citizens United Health Insurance Premiums: Around the country health insurers are pushing premiums higher and rates could increase again this year. Nationally, the annual premium for family coverage through an employer is 9 percent higher on average in 2011 than it was in 2010 according to a new study out this week. We discuss health insurance premiums here in Washington with the state insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler. Sending Power To Canada: Your power bill could be cheaper if the United States ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sir Nigel Sheinwald Great Britain's Ambassador to the United States Sir Nigel Sheinwald talks about the recent London riots and the economic meltdown in Europe. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Coffee Shop It's International Coffee Day. And this is Seattle. What's your favorite coffee shop, and why? How has Seattle coffee culture changed? Have you ditched java for tea? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website $40 Million Biofuels Grant To UW, And How Does Kindle Fire Compare? Biofuels: US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Seattle earlier today to announce $136 million in grants for biofuel development. $40 million was awarded to researchers at WSU. An additional $40 million was awarded to researchers at the University of Washington. The UW researchers are working on developing jet and car fuel derived from poplar trees. Somalia: The United Nations says that as many as 750,000 people could die as Somalia's drought worsens in the coming mo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Over 50 And Pregnant The number of women giving birth over the age of 50 has jumped 375 percent since 1997. Is there anything wrong with that? Today, we explore the trend of people waiting to have kids later in life. What's your experience? What are the advantages of having kids at midlife? What are the risks? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Strangest College Course Classes start today at the University of Washington. Some schools offer courses that might seem strange — like underwater basket weaving or the philosophy of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." But are they? What's the most unconventional course you ever took in college? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Mayor's Budget, And Foreclosures On The Rise In Washington Mayor's Budget: Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has laid out his proposed cuts for the city's 2012 budget. Now it's the City Council's turn to wrangle the numbers. The city faces a budget shortfall of $18 million next year, as KUOW's Liz Jones reports. King County Executive's Budget: King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed a balanced budget to the Council Monday. The $648 million proposal would not cut services from the general fund, and would even add to reserves. KUOW's Patricia Murph ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Singlism There have been advances in same–sex marriages around the country, but some researchers are concerned the marriage equality movement is leaving single people behind. We'll hear about the image and reality of single people from Stephanie Coontz, director of research for the Council on Cotemporary Families. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Destiny Of The Republic' You probably know that James Garfield was a president of the United States, but you might not know that he was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected. Four months into his presidency, Garfield was seriously wounded by a deranged office seeker. Historian Candice Millard tells the story in her new book "Destiny Of The Republic." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mayor McGinn's New Budget Mayor's Budget: Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn is unveiling his new budget today. There's no money for new police officers, which has been a city council priority. President Protested In Seattle: Protestors from the left and right show up during President Obama's brief fundraising visit to Seattle. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Boeing Dreamliner: After years of delays the Boeing Dreamliner has arrived. All Nippon Airways signed delivery documents on Sunday and plans to fly its first plane on T ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Accents Your accent, cadence and vocabulary are all indicators of where you're from. It can hurt — or help — in a job interview. Do people in Washington sound that much different than people from, say, Colorado? What is the most distinct accent in the US? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seeking Salaam In The Northwest People in the Horn of Africa have been at odds because of centuries of conflict. But when violence has driven them to immigrate to the United States, they often find themselves living side by side. Sandra Chait talked to immigrants in Seattle and Portland to find how it's working. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Billboard Battle, And Amanda Knox Battle Over Digital Billboards In King County: The King County Council will vote Monday on a bill that would allow digital billboards in the county's unincorporated areas. The bill would allow companies to set up large digital billboards, up to 14 feet tall by 48 feet wide, outside city limits. Flashing, blinking or animated signs would not be allowed, and each image displayed on the sign would have to last eight seconds or more. We talk to Paula Rees from Keep King County Beautiful, the g ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Would Anyone Go To Burning Man? At Burning Man this year there was a Billion Bunny March, a boat shaped like a narwhal and a 70–foot–long praying mantis sculpture. Burning Man, for the uniformed, is an annual arts and self–expression festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Seattle has a large Burning Man community, but who are Seattle's Burning Man aficionados? And why do they go to an empty desert in Nevada every summer to celebrate self–expression? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Nevermind' Turns 20 This weekend, Nirvana's breakthrough record "Nevermind" turns 20. What is your Nirvana story? How did "Nevermind" change music? How did it change you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Special Session, And Parental Support Governor Calls For Special Session: Governor Christine Gregoire is calling lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session. The 30–day session will begin at the end of November. We talk to Governor Gregoire about how lawmakers will confront another large budget shortfall. Parental Support: In Canada it is legal to sue your children for parental support, and 73–year–old Shirley Anderson is taking advantage of that rarely used law. Needle–Free Flu Shots: Autum ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website For-Profit Education, And Sightline How Does For–Profit Education Work? For–profit education is big business these days. Christopher Beha says that's part of the problem. His latest article for Harper's Magazine is "Leveling The Field: What I Learned From For–Profit Education." Founder Of The Sightline Institute Alan Durning: Sightline has a reputation as a really influential thinktank in the Cascadia region. So, what do they do? We talk to founder Alan Durning about why he started Sightline a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Erotic Capital' Sociologist Catherine Hakim says erotic capital is a personal asset, like economic or cultural capital. Both men and women have it, but she says currently "women fail to reap all the benefits of their attractiveness" — particularly in the workplace. Her controversial new book is "Erotic Capital: The Power Of Attraction In The Boardroom And The Bedroom." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma Teacher's Strike Continues, And Veterans Call For Local Base Investigation Tacoma Teacher's Strike Continues: Kids are waiting to go back to class in Tacoma. Public schools there have been closed for six days during a teachers' strike. Now Governor Gregoire is getting involved. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Anti–War Veterans: A group of anti–war veterans and an Army widow are calling for a Congressional investigation into Joint Base Lewis–McChord. They say a spike in apparent suicides shows prevention efforts by the Army aren't working. K ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ask The Ethicist PETA is in Seattle this week to protest fishing as unethical — are they right? Is it unethical to use someone's WIFI without their permission? What about cutting in line at the coffee shop? We take listener calls with our in–house ethicist Michael Blake. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Manufacturing Hysteria' Author Jay Feldman says in the 20th century American leaders often scared the pants off us to get what they wanted. And they're still doing it. His book is "Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Amazon Controversies, And Drinking On Stage Working For Amazon In Allentown: Amazon.com may have gotten its start in Seattle, but the company now operates from a multitude of cities. One of the company's warehouses is in Allentown, Pennsylvania. According to a recent investigative report, many employees are frustrated with the working conditions. NW Medical School Doctors Paid By Drug Companies: Across the Northwest, thousands of physicians are receiving payments from drug makers. Some of that money is for drug research. Other p ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Do We Tell The Kids? Everyone has a past, but what do you tell your kids about the life you lead before they were around? Is it better to be upfront about your wild days and former ways, or do you think it's better to keep some of the facts to yourself? And how did your parents handle it? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Our Brains Remember There's a lot to remember. Where your car keys went. Your coworker's last name. The capital of Libya. Journalist Joshua Foer's is here to help. He explores the art and science of memory in his new book "Moonwalking With Einstein." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Unused Loan Programs, Vaccines For Teens, And A One-Term Presidency? The Washington Legislature Created Program That Nobody Used: A loan program the Washington Legislature created in 2008 to help small manufacturers hasn't had a single taker. That's the finding of a legislative audit that recommends the program be terminated. Austin Jenkins has the story. Teens And Tweens Find They Too Need Vaccines To Attend School: Washington state has the highest opt–out rate for vaccinations. But numbers are rising in other states as well. California is now requ ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Tacoma Teacher's Strike Tacoma teachers walked off the job last week giving 28,000 students an early vacation. One major point of contention is the role seniority plays in teacher assignments. Today we'll interview education experts about seniority and other issues in the strike and take your phone calls. What do you think of the Tacoma teacher's strike? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Investigating Top Secret America The US budget for intelligence and counter–terrorism has grown by around 250 percent since September 10, 2001. Are we safer? Washington Post reporter William M. Arkin explores that question in his new book, "Top Secret America: The Rise of the New American Security State." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Does Denmark Have So Many High Paying Jobs? Stand Down Event Draws Hundreds: Vets in need of everything from housing to haircuts got a chance to connect with people who can help them at an event called Stand Down at Seattle Central Community College. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports. Why Does Denmark Have So Many High Paying Jobs? One reason veterans and so many others are having a hard time getting by is that the new jobs that exist in this economy are often low–paying service jobs. By one estimate, a third of jobs in the US ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Reading, And The Seattle Library One of the many changes taking place today is how we access reading material. We'll talk with Seattle's new city librarian, Marcellus Turner, about some of the changes. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Playing With Fire In Pakistan? The discovery and killing of Osama bin Laden in a compound a short distance from Pakistan's major military academy underscored how the country is at war with itself. Washington Post correspondent Pamela Constable joins us to discuss a society torn by corruption and inequality. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Revenue Forecast, Tacoma Teachers Strike, And Elwha Dam More Bad News For State Budget: Washington state officials expect to collect around $1.4 billion less in taxes than they were counting on for 2013 between now and June. That was the bad news from Washington's chief economist, Arun Raha, in Olympia today. Our Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins joins us to explain what that might mean. Tacoma Teachers Continue Strike: School is canceled in Tacoma for a third day as teachers stay on the picket line in defiance of court order. Rob Wood, sp ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Blowing The Whistle On Prescription Drugs Procrit, a drug that helps make red blood cells, has been used by about 20 million people. In 1996 studies showed Procrit could cause heart attacks, tumors or death, but it wasn't until this June that the FDA advised patients to avoid the drug. Investigative journalist Kathleen Sharp tells the amazing story of corporate power. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Turn Up The Led Zepplin, Man What was your first concert? Was it Milli Vanilli (the shame!)? Or Aerosmith? We'll take your calls and share stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma Teacher Strike Update, And Navigating Nasty Restaurants Tacoma Teacher Strike Update: The Tacoma teachers strike is in its second day. The school district has gone to the courts to force the teachers back to work. Vaccine Rate In Washington: Washington state has the lowest vaccination rate for kindergartners. NPR's Martin Kaste reports on what public health experts call vaccine hesitancy. Navigating Nasty Restaurants: Will you get sick if you eat that burger? A new website makes it easy to identify which restaurants have the best and wor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should the Government Do More To Close The Wealth Gap? By some estimates, the top 1 percent of Americans now control 40 percent nation's wealth. And the top 1 percent takes a higher percent of the nation's income than in the past — that number has more than doubled over the last 25 years, jumping from 12 to 25 percent. So what is to be done? Should the government do more to try to close the gap in the United States? We'll hear two perspectives, and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rules Of The Road Have you ever been stopped by a traffic cop when you really had no idea you were doing something wrong? Maybe you didn't realize that you still need to use your blinker at a roundabout, or that the speed limit often changes near parks. Motor Officer John Abraham joins Ross and takes listener calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Backyard Fruit For The Needy, And Windows 8 Tacoma Teacher Strike: The school year has started and stopped in Tacoma. Teachers there are on strike starting today. All public schools in Tacoma are closed. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Community Centers Closing Down: If you live in Seattle and you take a morning yoga class or play pick–up basketball at your neighborhood community center, you might have to change your routine. The city unveiled a plan yesterday that would cut opening hours at community center hours by about 1 ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Does Willpower Work? Where there's a will there's a way, goes the saying. But we don't always find the willpower to do what needs to be done. Psychologist Roy Baumeister and science writer John Tierney explain how willpower works and how we might be able to improve it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Denis Hayes, And Redistricting Redistricting: Where will the new 10th Congressional District be? Will we have new legislative districts with a majority of residents who are minorities? Austin Jenkins tells us what the Washington Redistricting Commission comes up with. Denis Hayes: He organized the first ever Earth Day and is still pushing for discovery and improvements in environmentalism with the Bullitt Foundation. Denis Hayes joins us to answer questions about environmental activism. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Council Votes On Paid Sick Leave Council Votes On Mandatory Paid Sick Leave: The Seattle City Council is expected to approve a mandatory paid sick leave bill later today. What do people on both sides of the issue have to say? Criminal Investigation Into Death Of Adopted Girl: On May 12 of this year, a 13–year–old girl named Hana Williams was found dead from hypothermia in the yard of her Sedro–Woolley home. Williams and her brother Immanuel had been adopted from Ethiopia three years earlier. Little ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ron Sims: What I Learned In The Other Washington Ron Sims was King County executive before taking a job with the Obama administration. He served as deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development starting in 2009 before leaving that position earlier this year. Now he's back in Seattle. What did he learn working in the other Washington? What's his take on the politics and problems there — and here — in 2011? And what are his plans for the future? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Best (Or Worst) Tenant (Or Landlord) You Ever Had Sometimes landlords and tenants get along great. Sometimes they don't. Renters: Who is the worst — or best — landlord you've ever had? Landlords: Who is the worst — or best — tenant you've ever had? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Post-9/11 Airport Security, And The Business Of War Post–9/11 Airport Security: Much has changed in the 10 years since September 11. One of the more noticeable changes has been airport security. But has TSA really made travel safer? Steve Williams is the CEO of Intellicheck Mobilisa. Intellicheck Mobilisa is based in Port Townsend, and have developed a new security system for travel check points. The Business Of War: Since the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, more than $40 billion of contract work from the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Examining The Job Plans, And How Has 9/11 Shaped Your Decade? Examining The Job Plans: Last night, President Obama unveiled his jobs plan. The Republicans are also rolling out their ideas for getting the economy going. Would they work? We speak with two economists about what they think. How Has 9/11 Shaped Your Decade? This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Today on "The Conversation" we focus on how those attacks changed or shaped your life over the last 10 years. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Has 9/11 Shaped Your Decade? This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Today on "The Conversation" we focus on how those attacks changed or shaped your life over the last 10 years. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Makes A Teacher Great? Part III Physicians Taking Money From Drug Companies: Across the Northwest, thousands of physicians are receiving payments from drug makers. In the last three years, it all adds up to $12 million in Washington, $6 million in Oregon and $2.5 million in Idaho. Some of that money is for drug research, other payments are for a meal or a trip to a conference. But in many cases, doctors are getting paid to give talks to other medical providers on behalf of a drug company. Correspondent Austin Jenkins ha ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 1975 Law Banning Single-Gender Classes Now Being Enforced By OPSI 1975 Law Banning Single Gender Classes Now Being Enforced By OPSI: Jason Lee Middle School in Tacoma started experimenting with single–sex classes for 6th graders last year — until the state shut them down. Two years ago, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction started enforcing a 1975 law that made single–sex classrooms illegal in Washington state. But supporters of single–gender classes say they can improve performance. We talk to both sides of the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website '100+: How The Coming Age Of Longevity Will Change Everything, From Careers And Relationships To Family And Faith' Futurist Sonia Arrison believes the first person to live to 150 has already been born. What will the rapidly evolving improvements in medicine and life extension mean for us, our society and the earth? What will living longer mean for careers, family and faith? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Future Of Private Space Travel After Amazon CEO Bezos' Spaceship Crashes Homeless Students: Today is the first day of public school in Seattle. Over the course of the school year, it's likely that over a thousand kids in Seattle Public Schools will experience homelessness. In Washington state, the number of homeless public school students shot up during the recession. That's from a report out this week from a Seattle law firm. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. What Makes A Teacher Great? Part II: In Northwest schools this week, many new teachers will stand i ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sperm Banks, And The North West Film Forum Children Conceived From Donor Sperm Connect Online: Unlike some other countries, the United States has no legal limit on how many children a sperm donor can father. One website that set out to connect donor children to their half-siblings has found more than a few cases where one donor was the biological father of more than one hundred children. Should there be a limit on the amount of children that can be conceived from a single donor? Northwest Film Forum: You may know the North West F ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Idea To Improve Seattle If money were no object what would you do to improve Seattle? More transit? More teachers? More journalists? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma Man Sentenced, And Clown Fish Tacoma Native To Be Sentenced In Nicaragua: A Tacoma man who's now living in Nicaragua is scheduled to be sentenced today after being convicted on drug and money laundering charges. KUOW's Derek Wang reports. Clown Fish React To Rising Acid Levels: Rising levels of acid in the ocean are causing fish to lose their sense of smell or even become attracted to the smell of their predators. KUOW's John Ryan reports. What Makes A Good Teacher? Part I: What makes a good teacher? Experience? Well ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Makes A Teacher Great? Was it the teacher that told you to seize the day or the one that stayed on you about your grammar that made the biggest impact on you? School is back in session and we kick off our three part series looking at what makes a teacher great. We'll hear from listeners about their best teachers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Errol Morris: 'Believing Is Seeing' In his new book of essays Academy–award winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris ("The Thin Blue Line," "Fog of War," "Dr. Death") looks at the nature of truth in photography and the relationship of news photos to the real world they're supposed to document, using examples from Abu Ghraib, the Crimean War and the Civil War. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Blue Collar Jobs Does everyone need to go to college? Why does blue collar work get stigmatized? It pays well and you can't get outsourced. Today we'll hear about the pros and cons. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Changing Value Of A College Degree Only about 30 percent of the new jobs require a bachelor's degree. Is the US education system failing students by not providing other pathways? We'll hear from Bill Symonds of the Pathways to Prosperity Project at Harvard about the push for more vocational training in America. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle's General Strike, 92 Years Later Over 92 years ago was the Seattle General Strike. The army was called out. University of Washington students were deputized. It made headlines around the world and ushered in an intense period of labor unrest. University of Washington historian James Gregory tells us the story. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Congressman Jim McDermott, And Veterans Court Representative Jim McDermott: Congress will vote at the end of the month on extending current highway funding, but House Republicans question more government spending. We hear from Congressman Jim McDermott about what this means for national infrastructure. We'll also talk to him about the upcoming job plan and the pipeline debate. The Veterans Court: A special court will open in Seattle later this month. The Veterans Court will be an option for military veterans charged with nonviolent ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Winning The War On War' Despite all the bad–news headlines, peace is on the rise. Fewer wars are starting, more are ending, and those that remain are smaller and more localized than in past years. We talk to Joshua Goldstein, author of "Winning the War on War," about how the world is becoming less violent. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Manning Up' With Kay Hymowitz Kay Hymowitz thinks guys in their 20s are living in a new kind of extended adolescence and it's a problem for American society. Her book is "Manning Up: How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Death Of The Daily Deal, And The Return Of La Nina Death Of The Daily Deal: Is the Groupon era coming to an end? Facebook killed its deals section last week, and Yelp is cutting back by 50 percent. Groupon itself has seen site traffic drop since the spring. While this may not spell out a complete end to social buying sites, Mashable.com entertainment editor Christina Warren says it's a sign the golden age of daily deals is behind us. Youth On Same–Sex Marriage And Abortion: Young people under 30 are much more likely to support sam ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website House Speaker Frank Chopp House Speaker Frank Chopp drops by to talk with us about the state of the state. Will further drops in revenue force another special session of the Legislature? Will lawmakers address the wording of the deep–bore tunnel funding that says Seattle–area taxpayers will cover the cost overruns? How will he deal with his voluntary 5 percent pay cut? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mean People Make More Money Does it pay to be mean? Maybe. A new study found that less agreeable men and women earned higher salaries than their nicer coworkers. We'll talk to the co–author of the study. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What To Do With The Wolves Wash. Prepares To Accept Bids To Privatize Liquor Distribution: Washington state runs a liquor distribution business. Could the state make more money if a private company took over? Austin Jenkins reports on the formal bidding process that's about to get underway. Boeing Takes On Airbus With Launch Of New 737 Model: Boeing has unveiled a new version of its 737 that it hopes will capture market share from Airbus. The company had been considering building an all new plane to replace the 7 ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bumbershoot 2011, About To Drop Bumbershoot, Seattle's end–of–summer arts festival, is this weekend. We'll talk to Chris Porter. He's the director of programming. What sounds are you looking forward to coming out of those big super speakers? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Would Happen In A Pacific Northwest Mega-Quake Mega earthquakes are going off all around the Pacific — Sumatra, Chile, Japan. Is the Northwest next? Science writer Bruce Barcott explains what would happen in the first minutes of a mega–quake here and he details the subsequent tsunamis that would batter the Washington and Oregon coasts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website School Contracts, Military Motorcycle Crashes, World's Greenest Building School Districts Work Toward Deal With Teachers: School is scheduled to start in Tacoma on Thursday, but teachers still have no contract with the Tacoma School District. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports Tacoma isn't the only district where contract negotiations are coming down to the wire. Wash. Airman Dies In 4th Sport Bike Fatality Since April: For the fourth time since April, an active duty member of the military has died in a high–speed motorcycle crash in Western Washington. A ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Suicide Bomber, And A History Of The Elliot Bay Book Company A Suicide Bomber Is Tough To Find: Islamist terrorists have predicted a clash of civilizations for decades. After 9/11, more and more Muslims seemed to be heeding the call to arms. But the actual numbers aren't as high as you might think. Charles Kurzman is the author of "The Missing Martyrs: Why There Are So Few Muslim Terrorists." He explains why Al Qaeda has trouble finding suicide bombers these days. A History Of The Elliot Bay Book Company: The Elliot Bay Book Company call ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Summertime Stories It's the last week of the summer vacation season. (Sigh.) What did you do? Same as usual, or was this summer different, the summer of me? Did personal finances dictate a staycation instead of traveling? Did you use your vacation time to work as a volunteer or to make extra money? Call in and tell us about it. On "The Conversation," it's summertime all the time. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Possible Ban On Pit Bulls In Parks, And Kitsap Mobile Shower Possible Ban On Pit Bulls In Parks: The same group that proposed banning pit bulls in 2008 is back with a proposal to ban pit bulls from parks. We talk to Ellen Taft, the spokesperson for Families and Dogs against Fighting Breeds. Washington Prisons Ask Facebook To Cancel Inmates' Accounts: Washington prison officials are following California's lead. This month they asked social media giant Facebook to agree to disable active inmate accounts. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins explains. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Best And Worst Roommates Have you ever had a roommate that brought you coffee every morning? Or a roommate that staged a break–in to steal all of your stuff so they could pawn it? Roommate tales can run the gamut. We hear from listeners about their best and worst roommates. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Neighborhood Project David Sloan Wilson is an evolutionary biologist who decided to apply his knowledge to improve his city, Binghamton, New York. He writes about it in "The Neighborhood Project." We'll ask him how he did it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Prosecuting Medical Marijuana In Pierce County MLK Day Bombing Trial: Prosecutors in a federal hate crime case in Spokane are asking prospective jurors if they have ties to racist and militia groups. The man accused of planting a backpack bomb along Spokane's Martin Luther King Day parade route in January has been linked to white supremacists. Jessica Robinson reports. Pierce County Prosecutor Asks Medical Marijuana Patients For More Proof: The Deputy Pierce County Prosecutor wants proof from medical marijuana patients. We take a cl ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website US Trade Agreements, And 826's Teri Hein US Trade Agreements: The Obama administration is promoting free–trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. If the deals are ratified by Congress, how will they affect the US economy and US workers? Yesterday we spoke with US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Today we get a different perspective from Thea Lee, the policy director and chief international economist for America's biggest labor union. Teri Hein From 826 On 8/26: 826 is more than a supply store for space traveler ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teen Sleepovers For many American parents, teen sex is something to be feared. But Dutch parents are much more open, often allowing young couples to sleep together in their home. What's your teen–sex policy? Would you allow your kid's boyfriend or girlfriend to stay the night? How did your parents handle it? We'll take your phone calls and talk to the author of the upcoming book, "Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Violent Inmates, And Undersea Cable Laid For 'Transformative' Ocean Observatory Privacy Concerns Over New Child Porn Bill: The House Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would require all Internet service providers, even hotels and coffee shops with Wi–Fi, to keep records of all their users comings and goings on the Internet. This is just in case law enforcement comes calling. Martin Kaste reports. Isaiah Kalebu: The recent murder trial in Seattle of Isaiah Kalebu made headlines. There was, of course, the brutality of his crime: the rape and but ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website US Trade Agreements, And Kelly Canary US Trade Agreements: Ambassador Ron Kirk is the United States Trade Representative, and has made trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. If the deals pass, how will they affect the US economy and US workers? Kelly Canary: People may have heard of Kelly Canary because of her work Seattle grunge–era bands such as Dickless and Earth, but she now spends her days more often in front of a jury instead of a crowd of concert goers. From bartender at the Cha Cha to staff atto ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are Corporations People Too? Earlier this month at the Iowa State Fair, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, "Corporations are a lot like you and me." Beltway pundits are calling it a campaign gaffe. But what was Romney actually getting at? Are corporations people? If you cut them, do they bleed? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Startups For Social Good, And Nisqually River Opens Up Nisqually River Opens Up: The removal of a dike on the Nisqually River means it will run free for the first time in a century. We'll find out what that will mean for the fish and critters. Same–Sex Marriage Legal For Suquamish Tribe: Same–sex marriage is now legal for a tiny sliver of Washington state. The Suquamish Indian Tribe will now marry gay couples on their reservation. KUOW's Liz Jones reports on the tribe's new law and the tribal member that pushed for it. Catchafire ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Poverty, And 'The Good School' Examining What Defines Poverty: Since the 1960s many people worldwide have risen out of extreme poverty. But here in the US, by our definition, poverty levels are the same as they were in 1960s. Why is that? The Good School: Much has been written about education, but little of it is for parents. Author Peg Tyre has written a guide for parents to get under the hood of the data to help figure out where to send their kids to kindergarten and middle school. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The Good School,' Part II Much has been written about education, but little of it is for parents. Author Peg Tyre has written a guide for parents to get under the hood of the data to help figure out where to send their kids to kindergarten and middle school. Peg Tyre answers your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 1978 Song Rights Changing, Startups For Social Good, And Is Syria Next? Is Syria Next? Syria's fragmented opposition took steps toward forming a national council today, five months into the uprising against the regime of President Bashar al–Assad. We talk to Syria expert and blogger Professor Joshua Landis. 1978 Song Rights Changing: 1978 saw the release of many popular albums, including Bruce Springsteen's "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" and Billy Joel's "52nd Street." Since then, record labels have made most the money off these ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Middle Class, And The Great Depression And The Great Recession How's The Middle Class Faring In The Great Recession? The middle class is getting a lot of attention these days as more and more Americans are facing unemployment and struggling during the rough economic times. Joining us is Tamara Draut, the vice president of policy and programs at Demos, a non–partisan public policy research center based in New York. Parallels Between The Great Depression And The Great Recession: The American economy is in deep trouble again, as is the world eco ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Yoga Bitch' After 9/11, Suzanne Morrison was feeling all too mortal. She decided a two–month yoga retreat to Bali would clear her head. When she learned the regimen included drinking her own urine, she began to have second thoughts. She joins us to tell the story of a twisted path to enlightenment. Her memoir is called "Yoga Bitch." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website King County Bike Share Program Border Patrol In Forks: On the Olympic Peninsula, the US border patrol is defending its growing presence along the rural coastline. But many in the area question the patrol's mission there. As KUOW's Liz Jones reports, the Forks City Council will take up the issue tonight. Remembering Vilem Sokol: A beloved former University of Washington music professor and conductor of Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras has passed away. Vilem Sokol died of cancer on Friday at the age of 96. KUOW'S Jamala ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Future Of The European Union Europe is facing tough economic problems — just like America. What does it mean for the future of the European Union? We talk to Alberta Sbragia, professor of political science at the European Union Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The Ledge' In June 1992, Jim Davidson and Mike Price's descent from Mount Rainier turned into a disaster. A cave–in dropped them deep into a glacial crevasse. Ross talks to Jim Davidson about his journey down the mountain. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Whooping Cough, Plus Court Rules In Privacy Case Whooping Cough In Washington: A child died from whooping cough earlier this week in Snohomish County. Health officials say the case underscores the need for people to get vaccinated to protect infants, who do not yet have immunity. Gang Tension In Wenatchee: Gang tensions run high in Wenatchee after a week of violence. Jessica Robinson reports. Supreme Court Rules On Privacy Case: A state Supreme Court ruling yesterday ensures police and other records will be more open. Teach For Am ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Reggie Watts And NORML Founder Keith Stroup On Hempfest Reggie Watts: Reggie Watts is a Seattle–based musician and comedian. He is currently on tour, and will be performing at the Neptune Theatre this Sunday. NORML Founder On 20th Annual Seattle Hempfest: The 20th annual Hempfest takes place this weekend on the Seattle waterfront at Myrtle Edwards Park. Organizers call Hempfest the world's biggest gathering for reforming marijuana laws. We'll talk to one of the speakers, Keith Stroup, the founder of the National Organization for Refor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website School Reunions In The Facebook Era Some younger alumni are saying they attend fewer school reunions thanks to Facebook. What about you? Are face-to-face reunions still relevant in the age of social media? We'll hear your real life school reunion stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Un-Damming The Elwha, And Cascade Curtain Teach For America In Seattle: Teach For America is a federal program that pays recent college graduates to commit two years to teaching in under–resourced public schools. Teach For America has 25 slots for Seattle Public Schools, but as Phyllis Fletcher reports, they're not being welcomed with open arms. Un-Damming The Elwha, Part III: How do you restore a river that's been dammed up for a century? That's the question facing scientists who will work to restore the Elwha River whe ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Congressman Jay Inslee Washington Democratic 1st Congressional District Congressman Jay Inslee is running for governor in 2012. We sit down with him and discuss the issues facing the state and the nation. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Congressman Jay Inslee, Part II Washington Democratic 1st Congressional District Congressman Jay Inslee is running for governor in 2012. We sit down with him and discuss the issues facing the state and the nation. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Voters Approve Tunnel, And Un-Damming The Elwah, Part II Voters Approve Tunnel: Seattle voters decisively approved a measure to allow construction of the deep–bore tunnel proceed. $60 Car–Tab Fee: The Seattle City Council has unanimously agreed to ask voters this November for a $60 car–tab fee increase. Critics say the tax is regressive. That's because all car owners would pay the same, whether they're rich or poor. KUOW's Joshua McNichols reports. Un–Damming The Elwha, Part II: The Elwha River forms a watery connec ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cascade Curtain, And 'Who Are We?' Cascade Curtain, Part III: The Cascade Curtain is a term that's been batted around for decades. It's a play on cold war term Iron Curtain, and it's used to describe fundamental differences between Eastern and Western Washington. KUOW's Dominic Black looks at the myth and reality of the Cascade Curtain in part the of a four–part series. Who Are We: Gary Younge writes in his new book "Who Are We," that identity is like fire: It can create warmth and conflict, or burn badly ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Street Canvassers Are the street canvassers asking you to sign petitions or contribute money to causes getting too aggressive? Are they hassling you? Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen is considering a new law to rein in street canvassers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website City Council Votes On Car Tab Fee, And Andrew Hsu City Council Vote: The Seattle City Council will ask Seattle voters to pay more for car tabs to pay for transit, roads and bike lanes. We take a look at what Seattleites will be voting on. Un–damming The Elwha, Part I: For the past 20 years there's been talk of removing the two dams and now the roads are closed off and construction crews are moving in to start that work in mid-September. In the first part of our series on the Elwha, Ashley Ahearn reports on how scientists are gett ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cascade Curtain, And The Defense Budget Cascade Curtain, Part II: The Cascade Curtain is a term that's been batted around for decades. It's a play on the cold–war term Iron Curtain and it's used to describe fundamental differences between Eastern and Western Washington. KUOW's Dominic Black looks at the myth and reality of the Cascade Curtain in part two of a four–part series. Defense Spending: The debt crisis deal included $350 billion in defense cuts over the next decade, and that number will increase if the new ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Skyjack: The Hunt For D.B. Cooper' Who was, or is, D.B. Cooper? Geoffrey Gray went on a quest to write a new account about the infamous hijacker who jumped out of a jet between Seattle and Portland with a parachute and $200,000, called "SkyJack." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Redistricting, And The Cascade Curtain Part I Redistricting: Today is the last day to submit public comment to the members of Washington state's Redistricting Commission before members go draw their own maps. At a recent forum, commission members said their biggest challenges will be in representing two growing constituencies: minorities and voters in Eastern Washington. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Cascade Curtain, Part I: The Cascade Curtain is a term that's been batted around for decades. It's a play on cold war term Iron Curtain ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Job Misconceptions Often the only person that really knows what you do at work is you. From lawyers to bike messengers, we discuss the impressions people have about your job and what it actually is that you do. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Let There Be (LED) Light! The idea that the government wants to take away your incandencent light bulbs is a huge issue in the other Washington. There's even a lot of talk about it in the Republican presidential primary. Candidate Michelle Bachman touts the fact that she introduced the Light Bulb Freedom Of Choice Act in Congress. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bus Plan, Canada's AAA rating, And Aggressive Racoons King County Council Agrees On Plan For Bus Service: Starting in October 2012, King County Metro will phase out the ride free area in downtown Seattle. The plan is part of an agreement to pass a $20 car licensing fee, which will prevent a 17 percent cut to bus service. Dow Constantine joins us. How Canada Regained AAA Rating: Canada lost its AAA credit rating, but then they got it back. How did they do it? Sarah Kliff is a reporter for the Washington Post and the author of "Maple Lea ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Biofuel Boom And Global Warming The biofuel business is booming in Washington state. A company that turns canola oil into biodiesel is ramping up production and hiring new staff. And this week the federal government announced support for a new plant in Tacoma that will make biofuel for jets. But biofuel is also controversial, particularly when it's made from corn. What's the potential for biofuels to help solve the world's global warming problem? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Are The Rules Of Tipping? Over the past few years the expected amount for tipping has gone up from about 10 percent to now about 20 percent. In tough economic times what are your tipping habits? Does your tip depend on service or the amount of the bill? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website $80 Car-Tab Fee Hearing And TSA's Enhanced Behavior Detection Program Seattle Car–Tab Fee Hearing: The Seattle City Council may ask voters to approve higher car–tab fees. Seattle drivers could pay $40 to $80 more if the council and voters say so. That's on top of a $20 increase the King County Council is considering. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. The Battle For Seattle City Council Position 9: Sally Clark faces two challengers for her position on the Seattle City Council. One is an immigrant from Ethiopia. The other is an African–Ame ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Future Of King County Bus Service King County Metro bus service is facing cutbacks of 17 percent due to budget shortfalls. Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond joins us to answer your questions about the service that serves 1.7 million people per year. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How's Obama Doing? President Obama has a 42 percent approval rating nationally, according to the most recent Gallup poll. But here in Washington, 50 percent approve. How do you feel about the job the President has done thus far? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Child Left Behind, And Tacoma Billboards No Child Left Behind Opt Out: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced this week that states can opt out of parts of the federal No Child Left Behind law that President George W. Bush signed in 2001. The original law says 100 percent of kids need to be proficient in math and reading by 2014. But now the education department will waive that requirement for states if they adopt new education reforms that the Obama administration is backing. Joining us with more is Justin Hamilton, press s ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Financial Advice Does the crashing financial market have you on edge? Personal financial adviser Jane Bryan Quinn joins us to answer questions about what you should and should not do. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Paula Hammond Shrinking state revenue and the federal debt deal could spell trouble for some big transportation projects in Washington state — like the planned $3 billion bridge across the Columbia River. State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond joins us to talk about tight budgets, transit and tolls. And she'll answer your questions about 520, the deep–bore tunnel and more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Child Left Behind - Washington No Child Left Behind — Washington: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced this week that states can opt out of parts of No Child Left Behind Act if they adopt new education reforms. Specifically, states won't have to ensure that 100 percent of kids are proficient in math and reading by 2014, but only if they agree to adopt new education reforms that the Obama administration backs. How will Washington state schools be affected? Carbon Sequestration: For nearly two decades re ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Majority Minority Districts The congressional district lines are being redrawn to accommodate a new 10th Congressional District. On the table is a proposal for a majority–minority district where minorities make up the majority of district residents. This new district would stretch from southeast Seattle to Federal Way. How would it impact minority voters? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website E-Verify And Electoral College E–Verify: Should the federal government require all workplaces to check their employees' citizenship papers against a national database? The database is called E-verify. Some states already require it, and some businesses in our state use it. There's a move to make it a national mandate. Electoral College: The popular vote doesn't determine who gets president, the electoral college does. But California just joined other states in deciding all its electoral college votes will to go ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website North West Retail, And King County Council Race How Are Northwest Retailers Doing? Stocks are falling today over worries about the health of the global economy and the Standard & Poor's downgrade of the AAA credit rating of the United States. But beyond the panic selling, what's the underlying economic picture from the American consumer's point of view? And how is that affecting big Northwest–based retailers including Nordstrom, Costco and Amazon? King County Council Race: Jane Hague has represented District 6 on the King Coun ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A First Rate Madness Mental illness can make for better leaders. Nassir Ghaemi, professor of psychiatry at Tufts University, found by studying Ghandi, Churchill and Lincoln that empathy is enhanced by depression and resilience comes from depression and mania. Mentally healthy leaders, like Neville Chamberlain, failed in a crisis in part because they did not have those qualities. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cheap Seattle Self–proclaimed cheap bastard David Volk joins us to talk about his guide to doing Seattle on the cheap and takes tips and questions from listeners. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Salmonella, Housing Lottery, Dendreon Stocks Plummet, Jean Godden Debate Housing Lottery: This week, thousands of low–income families around King County will receive a letter they're anxiously awaiting: They'll find out if they made the narrow waitlist for the county's high–demand Section 8 housing program. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. Dendreon Stocks Plummet: Seattle–based Dendreon is planning across–the–board layoffs. Shares of the biotech firm plummeted Thursday by more than 60 percent after the company announced that sales of it ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website NPR Ombudsman Edward Schumacher-Matos Do you have a beef with NPR's reporting, or a bouquet to throw? NPR's new ombudsman Edward Schumacher–Matos joins us. His job is look into complaints about NPR programming. He joined the organization in June 2011, but it's a familiar role for him. Since 2007, Edward has been the ombudsman for The Miami Herald. He's also reported for the New York Times and won a Pulitzer for coverage of the Three Mile Island power plant accident. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Internet Music Services, Seattle's Ethiopian Community New Internet Music Services: As more and more people are listening to most of their music online, others are creating more ways that facilitate the online listening experience. How are you listening to music these days? Seattle's Ethiopian Community: The Ethiopian community in Washington state has been growing quickly since the 80s, and now the Puget Sound region is home to thousands of Ethiopians. Anna Boiko–Weyrauch explains how politics in Ethiopia continue to influence the loc ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will Hatcheries Hurt Wild Salmon Runs? And The Tunnel Referendum Will Hatcheries Hurt Wild Salmon Runs? The dams on Elwha River that dramatically reduced the wild salmon run are coming down. But will the wild salmon run be restored? State, federal and tribal leaders are building a hatchery they say will re–start the salmon runs. But critics say hatchery fish will squeeze out the wild salmon. Mexican Trucks On US Roads: A new US–Mexico treaty lowers tariffs for crops sold by Northwest farmers. The treaty also allows Mexican trucks to travel U ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Does Referendum 1 Mean For The Tunnel? Referendum 1 supporters say it's time to move forward with the deep–bore tunnel for Seattle. Opponents say this is your opportunity to reject the tunnel. Would a "no" vote reject the tunnel? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Best And Worst Nature Moments What was the best moment you ever had in the great outdoors? Summiting a mountain peak? Spotting a wolf in the wild? What about the worst nature moment you ever experienced? That torrential downpour that trapped you in your tent all weekend? Call us with your best and worst nature moments at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Homeless Shelter Cuts, And Rural Post Office Closures Budget Cuts Threaten Homeless Shelters: Abrupt federal budget cuts are threatening to close homeless shelters around Puget Sound. SHARE/WHEEL, the group that operates many shelters, says there's no money for bus tickets for homeless people to get to work and home. Tribe OKs Same–Sex Marriage: The Suquamish Tribe on the Kitsap Peninsula approves same–sex marriage. It's believed to be only the second tribe in the country to do so. Liz Jones reports. Rural Post Offices Going ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Home Health Care Initiative, And The Future of Seattle Film and Music With James Keblas Union Pushes For Home Health Care Worker Training: State budget cuts eliminated training for home health–care workers. The union representing them has succeeded in getting a measure on the ballot to restore training for home health–care workers and background checks. Why is this going to the ballot? We'll hear both sides. James Keblas: We'll talk about the state of the arts with James Keblas, co–founder of the Vera Project and director of Seattle's Office of Film and ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Would You Take The Male Pill? Would You Take The Male Pill?: University of Washington is at the center of researching the male contraceptive pill. We'll learn the latest from Dr. John Amory and we'll hear from Steve Owens, who has been a guinea pig on male contraceptive trials for 11 years. Everett Pianos Ten painted pianos have been placed on street corners in Everett. It's an interactive art project that attracts random piano players and other passers–by. The project started last August, and that's when KUOW's ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stryker Kill Team, And Free Birth Control Stryker Kill Team Plea Agreement: Joint Base Lewis–McChord Soldier Adam Winfield has reached a plea agreement with the Army that may send him to jail for up to eight years. We'll find out more. Insurers Must Fully Cover Birth Control: The Obama Administration just passed a rule that will require insurers to fully cover all FDA–approved contraception. That means no copays will be required for birth control starting in 2012. Elementary School Counselors: The Seattle Public Schoo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Best And Worst Neighbors Tonight people around the country are holding block parties to meet their neighbors for National Night Out. What makes a good (or bad) neighbor? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Always On Wired.com's Brian X. Chen explains what the iPhone means for your future. His book is "Always On: How the iPhone Unlocked the Anything–Anytime–Anywhere Future — and Locked Us In." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Decrease In Unions And Increase In Wage Disparity Decrease In Unions And Increase In Wage Disparity: A new UW study links the decline in union membership since the 1970s to wage inequality. We talk to Jake Rosenfeld, a professor of sociology at the University of Washington and the co–author of the study. Check Debate: In this era of plastic, Washington still issues unemployment benefits the old fashioned way: by check. That's a stark contrast to neighboring Oregon, where jobless benefits are loaded on a debit card. So, what are ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Debt Limit Debate And School Planning Debt Limit Agreement: Congress is voting on the debt limit agreement today. We'll hear from 7th District Congressman Jim McDermott and the governor's budget director Marty Brown about what this could mean for Washington state. Rural Schools Vs. Smart Growth In King County: King County may close a loophole in its growth management planning for rural school construction. Smart growth advocates support the change to limit sprawl, but some rural districts are opposed because it could cost th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Real Seattle For Tourists The Space Needle and Pike Place Market are on a lot of visitor's lists, but where do you take your out–of–town guests to show them what Seattle is really about? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bellevue Tunnel, And Mercury In Bellingham Bellevue Tunnel: After years of study and debate, Sound Transit voted Thursday on the route light rail will take on the Eastside. The plan includes a tunnel through downtown Bellevue, which was a key issue for Bellevue officials. But Sound Transit board members say they took the vote without yet knowing how the tunnel will be paid for. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Airport Construction Halted: The congressional stalemate over the debt ceiling isn't the only Washington standoff in the news th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pouring Over Liquor Privatization Will you vote for or against liquor privatization? The Costco–backed Initiative 1183 would close state liquor stores and let private stores sell booze, but only if they're 10,000 square feet or larger. We'll hear pro and con views, and your views. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Declaration Of Independents You have heard of the Declaration of Independence but what about "The Declaration of Independents?" That is the title of the new book from Reason magazine's Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch looking at how they think libertarian politics can fix what is wrong with America. They join us for the discussion. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Medical Marijuana Ordinance, And Microsoft Avoids US Taxes New Medical Marijuana Ordinance: Will Seattle's new policy treat medical marijuana dispensaries like any other business? What will it mean for them, their customers and police enforcement? Hanford Nuclear Waste: Since a federal watchdog agency found a flawed safety culture at the Hanford nuclear waste facility in Eastern Washington more employees are beginning to speak up. KUOW's Anna King reports. Microsoft Avoids US Taxes: Microsoft runs some of its business offshore to avoid US taxes. It ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Future Of Education In Seattle: School Board Race District 3 Harium Martin–Morris is running for re–election to the Seattle School Board against David Blomstrom, John Dunn and Michelle Buetow. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ask The Dentist Do you know how often you should be getting your teeth cleaned? Or maybe you need advice on helping your kids brush their teeth? From tooth decay to plaque attacks, we have Dr. Phil Anderson sitting in the chair and taking your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma Pot Shops, And Medical Patents Expire Tacoma Shuts Down Medical Marijuana Shops: As Seattle's mayor signs a new law registering medical marijuana clinics, Tacoma police are cracking down on facilities there. We'll hear from the mayor of Tacoma, Marilyn Strickland. Medical Patents For Popular Drugs Expire: Patents on 7 of the 20 top–selling prescription drugs are set to expire. That means millions of Americans are about to pay a lot less money because of competition from generic drug makers. We talk to University of Was ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Tim Eyman Toll Initiative The first statewide citizen initiative to qualify for the November ballot would limit highway tolls in the state. Initiative 1125 sponsor Tim Eyman received major financial backing from Bellevue businessman Kemper Freeman to gather the signatures. What would passage of 1125 mean for tolls and transportation? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Atomic Frontier Days: Hanford And The American West' The federal government created the Hanford Nuclear Reservation to manufacture plutonium for the first nuclear weapons. Today Hanford is the site of a massive nuclear waste clean–up effort. The authors of the new book "Atomic Frontier Days" explain how regional culture and politics have played as large a role as war and environmentalism in Hanford. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website City Council Race, Getting A Better Password, And Two-Thirds Law Suit Legal Challenge To 2010 Anti–Tax Initiative: An initiative approved by voters last November to require a two–thirds vote to pass new taxes is being challenged in court. Democratic lawmakers and education groups say it prevents adequate funding to education and other services. We talk to University of Washington law professor Hugh Spitzer. Smarter Passwords: Almost everyone has got one or two passwords, or maybe 10. But passwords are vulnerable and perhaps not the best way to p ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Jean Godden Vs. Challengers For Seattle City Council, Part 1 Jean Godden is running for her third term on the Seattle City Council. She's facing City Transportation Manager Bobby Forch, the manager of a nonprofit health care foundation, Michael Taylor–Judd, and Senior Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Classen in the August 16 primary. Hear what they have to say. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Jean Godden Vs. Challengers For Seattle City Council, Part 2 Jean Godden is running for her third term on the Seattle City Council. She's facing City Transportation Manager Bobby Forch, the manager of a nonprofit health care foundation, Michael Taylor–Judd, and Senior Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Classen in the August 16 primary. Hear what they have to say. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Big Money For Ballot Initiatives, And Re-Licensing Court Big Money For Ballot Initiatives: More than $1 million was raised and spent for each of the three citizens' initiatives headed for the November ballot. We get some perspectives. Re–Licensing Court: Nearly 300,000 Washingtonians have suspended drivers licenses because they didn't pay their tickets. Does the punishment suit the crime? Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle School Board Race Three candidates are challenging School Board Member Steve Sundquist for his seat in the 6th District. All of the candidates join us and we'll take your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website In Defense Of Horror Movies Horror movies remain big at the box office. So why do people pay to get scared? We'll hear from Jason Zinoman, author of "Shock Value" and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Child Prostitution In Seattle The City of Seattle is in a spat with the Seattle Weekly over whether or not the Weekly allows the sale of child prostitutes in its pages. So, how much child sex trafficking is happening here? And what about that shelter the city runs for prostituted youth? KUOW reporter Sara Lerner looks at the problem of child prostitution in Seattle and what authorities and local organizations are doing about it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Interrogator And A Defense Of Tabloids The Interrogator: Glenn Carle is a former CIA spy. It was his job to interrogate a man the CIA thought was a senior member of al–Qaida. But Carle says the CIA was wrong. We talk to Carle about his new book, "The Interrogator." In Defense Of Tabloids: Historian Ryan Linkof doesn't defend The News of the World practices like hacking cell phones to get the dirt. But he does defend tabloid reporting. We'll find out why. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New $80 Car Fee For Seattle? The Seattle City Council is considering an $80 annual car–tab fee. It could appear on the November ballot. The money would go to roads, public transit and bike infrastructure. We take a closer look at the proposal and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Air Pollution At The Port, And Grade Inflation Air Pollution At The Port Of Seattle: Environmental groups continue to criticize the Port over air pollution from trucks. We spoke with an environmental reporter on Tuesday and today we get a response from Port Commissioner Tom Albro. Closing Umatilla Chemical Depot: Surrounding communities watch and wait for the Army's closure plans on Umatilla Chemical Depot in northeast Oregon. It was once home to 12 percent of the nation's deadliest weapons. The Army is on pace to finish destroying all ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Power Of AARP, And The Great Speedup Are You Down With AARP? The AARP has 40 million members and with more and more baby boomers hitting retirement age, that number is expected to grow. How much clout does the AARP have? What's their agenda? How are they going to reshape American politics and life in the 21st century? We talk to Fred Lynch, author of a new book, "One Nation Under AARP." The Great Speedup: Corporate profits are up 22 percent. But the job market is stagnant. One reason for this seeming paradox is som ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Words We Love (And Hate) To Misuse Language experts say "literally" is our most misused word. Literally. But if everyone is doing it, does that make it right? We take your phone calls with language expert Ben Zimmer. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Keynesians And The Economic Crisis Keynesians And The Economic Crisis: John Maynard Keynes is the Depression–era economist who came up with the theory of government stimulus to lift the economy during downturns. His ideas were behind the $800 billion stimulus package. But today Keynesian has become a dirty word in the other Washington, particularly among Republicans. They point to sluggish growth and the high unemployment rate, but has Keynes been proven wrong? We'll hear two perspectives. State Agency Paid UW For ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ethicist Peter Singer On Privacy, The Internet And The Future Corporations and the government collect data about us, with or without our consent. We blog, tweet and post. So, privacy as we used to know it is dead — or almost dead. But what would it actually mean to live in a world without secrets? Peter Singer is an ethics professor who is best known his work on animal rights. He says we might be better off in a world with fewer secrets. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cheating In 2011 Earlier this month, it was revealed that teachers in nearly half of the Atlanta Public School District's schools had cheated on standardized tests. In some cases, they gave students answers and in others they physically changed the answers on the tests. Is it more acceptable today to cheat to get ahead? Do you see cheating in your business or school? Do you cheat in business or school? We talk with the author of "Cheating Culture" and take listener calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pot Law In Seattle, And Port Pollution Pot Law In Seattle: It is up to cities in the state of Washington to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries and yesterday the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to try and do just that. Job Database Schemes: Imagine someone knew your name, your phone number and that you were out of work. If they want to offer you a job, great. But what if they want something else? KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Port Pollution Standards: Environmentalists and neighborhood groups are crit ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Start Of Spin, And Elks, Lions And Eagles The Start Of Spin: Do you hate presidential spin? Blame Teddy Roosevelt. Our guest today says Roosevelt became the father of modern spin to advance his muscular agenda. Elks, Lions And Eagles: US membership in groups like the Rotarians, Toastmasters and Elks is steadily declining, but it's increasing in countries like Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. Washington Monthly Editor John Gravois has been following the phenomenon since attending a Toastmaster's meeting in Abu Dhabi. He'll talk ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Spying On The Kids With Facebook More and more parents are spying on their kids with Facebook. Is that ethical? Is it really anything new? We talk to an expert about the latest trends in child surveillance and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your 'Catcher In The Rye' When you were young, what book impacted you the most? J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher In The Rye" turned 60 on Saturday, and to celebrate we're discussing the great books you read in high school. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Environmentalists Disagree On Tunnel, Farming On The Duwamish Environmentalists Disagree On Deep–Bore Tunnel: Some environmentalists — including Mayor Mike McGinn and the Sierra Club — oppose a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, but other green groups support it. Why the difference in opinion? We'll talk to both sides. Farming Along The Duwamish: Small farms used to cover the Duwamish River Valley. Fish crowded the river. But, today that's not the case. Most fish from the Duwamish are no longer safe to eat, and people wor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Food (Truck) Fight More street food could be coming to Seattle. We'll take a closer look at a proposal before the Seattle City Council today. We'll also talk to food truck vendors, restaurant owners and employees, and we'll take listener phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gay History In Public School Curriculum, Border Harassment, And Workplace Safety Gay History In California: Governor Jerry Brown signed the first bill in the country to include gay history in a state social studies curriculum. Border Harassment? Some Seattle–area Muslims claim discrimination and harassment at Canadian border crossings has worsened in the past few years. They plan to protest this Sunday at the Peace Arch in Blaine. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. Remembering Washington's Fallen Workers: Last year's refinery blast in Anacortes killed seven and made nati ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teacher Stress The first comprehensive study of occupational stress in the teaching profession is launching this fall. Can teaching 7th and 8th graders give you PTSD? And how does stress affect teacher job performance? We'll talk to an occupational stress expert and hear from listeners: Have you ever taught an unruly class? Or perhaps you were the student that made the teacher cry? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Big News From Small Towns Newspapers are on life support (or dying) in a lot of US cities. But that's not the case in small towns according to NPR commentator and author Judy Muller. Her book "Emus Loose In Egnar" explores how the press is breaking big stories in small communities all across the United States. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Clash Of The Republican Titans Over The Debt Limit Leading Republicans Clash Over Debt–Limit Plan: Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Eric Cantor are all Republicans, but they have diverging views about what to do about the debt limit. We talk to Washington Post Reporter Lori Montgomery about the clash of the Republican leadership. Mental Hospital Staff Bear Brunt Of Workplace Violence: The most violent workplace in Washington is a hospital — the state's largest ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Extended Liquor Hours For Seattle? Mayor Mike McGinn announced this morning the city will petition the State Liquor Control Board to allow the city to serve alcohol after 2:00 a.m. Would you support later liquor hours? Give us a call at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gender Equity At Home Women in Western countries are making huge strides in education and workplace equity. But men still aren't pulling their weight at home. That can lead many women to look for part time work or to quit their jobs. What needs to happen to get men to do more work around the house? We'll talk to the experts and take your phone calls at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bellingham Plastic Bag Ban And Homeless Get The Boot Bellingham Bans Plastic Bags: The Bellingham City Council this week unanimously voted to ban plastic bags. Edmonds also successfully banned the bags in 2009, but a Seattle proposal was voted down that same year. How did Bellingham manage to garner wide support a ban that was so controversial in Seattle? Assaulted At Work: Most of us face little risk of being assaulted while we're on the job. But if you're a cop, a convenience store clerk or a cab driver, your line of work can quickly t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website In Defense Of Pop Music, And Your Best And Worst Summer Jobs In Defense of Pop Music (And Maybe Narcissism) The cover of the most recent issue of the Atlantic warns, "The Cult Of Self–Esteem Is Ruining Our Kids." Some psychologists say pop music is part of the problem, but New York Magazine music critic Nitsuh Abebe disagrees with all of that. Your Worst (Or Best) Summer Jobs, Pt. 1: Summer's here. And despite the rough job market, for a lot of teens that means summer jobs. What are your best — or worst — summer job mem ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Worst (Or Best) Summer Jobs, Pt. 2 Summer's here. And despite the rough job market, for a lot of teens that means summer jobs. What are your best — or worst — summer job memories? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Human Rights Watch Pushes To Prosecute Bush Administration Bush Should Be Prosecuted For War Crimes Says Rights Group: Human Rights Watch is out with a report today that says George W. Bush administration officials should be prosecuted for war crimes. How likely is that to happen? How much have policies changed under the Obama administration? Danger At Work, Part II: A KUOW investigation has found that workplace–safety laws are rarely enforced. When state officials do try to enforce the law, they often look for workplace hazards in the wrong ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Do Children With Divorced Parents View Marriage? Gen Xers (people born between 1965 and 1980) are more likely to stay married than their boomers parents. How has having divorced parents affected your perspective on marriage and relationships? Tell us your stories at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Climate Change And The New Geography Of Violence Christian Parenti says climate change is already causing wars and violence to break out all over the world. But it's not too late for the world to take a different path. His new book is "Tropic of Chaos." If you have a question about the geography of violence, call us at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lineworker Safety And Pollution Threatens Wash. Shellfish Danger at Work: Lineworkers Bring Power To The People, Without A Net: Three years ago, federal officials called it the most dangerous job in America. The number of people killed while climbing cell phone towers has declined since then, but working on steel towers remains one of the nation's most dangerous jobs, right up there with commercial fishing. What's it like to work a hundred feet in the air without a net? KUOW's John Ryan found out from some high–wire workers installing power ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Creative Disobedience In The Classroom Andrea Kuszewski thinks the US education system is not doing enough to foster creative thinking. She says teachers should be encouraging creative disobedience. Can creativity be taught? Do we really need more disobedience in the classroom? What's your experience as a teacher, student or parent? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Terror And Empire In 1901 An anarchist assassinated President William McKinley in 1901. Why did he do it? Scott Miller suggests two historical forces led to the president's killing: political radicalism and the urge for an American empire. We talk to Miller about how those movements led Leon Czolgosz to murder a president. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website SAD In Summer Fish Move Northward Due To Climate Change: Climate change may push fish native to the Northwest coast further northward. That's according to a forthcoming study by American and Canadian fisheries biologists. They suggest West Coast fishermen will need to adapt to different prey if the Pacific Ocean warms as projected over the next 50 years. KUOW Correspondent Tom Banse finds the story in Newport, Oregon. Mexico Lifts Tariff On US Produce: US produce is about to get cheaper in Mexico. That ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debt Limit 101, Pt. 1 The US has a debt ceiling of $14.294 trillion, meaning if the Treasury needs to spend more than that, it has to get Congress to approve it. We're $14.290 trillion in the hole right now, which puts us on track to run out of money on August 2. But Democrats and Republicans have reached a standstill trying to approve a higher ceiling. What's preventing a deal on the debt limit, and what would happen if we defaulted? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debt Limit 101, Pt. 2, And 'West Side Story's' 50th Birthday Debt Limit 101, Pt. 2: The US has a debt ceiling of $14.294 trillion, meaning if the Treasury needs to spend more than that, it has to get Congress to approve it. We're $14.290 trillion in the hole right now, which puts us on track to run out of money on August 2. But Democrats and Republicans have reached a standstill trying to approve a higher ceiling. What's preventing a deal on the debt limit, and what would happen if we defaulted? 'West Side Story's' 50th Birthday: The musical " ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Supreme Court Ethics Standards And Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens Supreme Court Ethics Standards: Supreme Court justices are not subject to the code of ethics that applies to other federal judges. We'll hear from Rep. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut congressman who wants to change that. UW Arson Suspect To Appear In Court: One of the FBI's most wanted is soon on his way back to Tacoma. Justin Solondz will face charges from an arson that destroyed the UW Center for Urban Horticulture 10 years ago. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has this story. Cyber Attack Shuts Dow ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should Dogs Be Allowed At Work? One in five companies allows workers to bring dogs to work. REI in Kent even has doggie daycare for employees. What are the pros and cons of having canines in the workplace? Do you bring your dog into work? Do you have coworkers who do? Call in live with your stories at 206.221.3549. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Interim Superintendent Of Seattle Schools Susan Enfield Last night, the Seattle School Board cut $45 million from the budget. We'll hear from acting School Superintendent Susan Enfield on what impact that will have on education. Do you have a question for Susan Enfield? Email "The Conversation" or call us during the show at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Microsoft Partners With Chinese Search Engine Microsoft Partners With China's Baidu Search Engine: Microsoft announced they are partnering with China's largest search engine, Baidu, which controls three–quarters of the search market in the world's largest county. Microsoft stresses that this isn't a significant change for the company, as they will simply be providing Bing search results for another company, but some see it as dangerous waters for the company given Google's very public battle with Chinese censors. Google ended up ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle's Mandatory Sick Pay Proposal The City Council's Housing, Human Service, Health, and Culture Committee is considering a bill that would mandate paid sick leave for all Seattle employees. Businesses with fewer than 50 full–time employees would be required to offer five paid days off a year and larger businesses would have to offer seven to nine days. No business would be exempt. The committee holds a public hearing today at 5:30 p.m. What are your thoughts on requiring all Seattle businesses to offer paid sick leav ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Road Eats With Anna Roth Headed on a road trip this summer? You might get hungry. Do you have favorite places to stop to avoid chain restaurants? We'll hear from Anna Roth, author of "West Coast Road Eats." Call in with your favorites at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tim Eyman's New Transportation Initiative, And Bellevue Light Rail Dispute Tim Eyman's Transportation Initiative: Tim Eyman is raising funds for a new initiative, I–1125, that he hopes to get on the ballot this year. It would prevent gas tax and tolls from being used for light rail, make the Legislature decide on toll costs, and prevent potential tolls on I–90 from being used on the 520 construction project. Bellevue Light Rail Dispute: A light rail showdown seems to be brewing between Sound Transit and the Bellevue City Council. The council is comple ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is The Gay Bar Dying? Many say that the gay rights movement began with a police raid on a bar in New York City in 1969, sparking the Stonewall riots. In 2007, Entrepreneur magazine put gay bars on its list of businesses facing extinction, along with record stores and pay phones. In a six–part series, Slate writer June Thomas examines the history and evolution of gay bars and their role in gay culture, and she asks the question, is the gay bar dying? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Happened To Newspapers? James O'Shea, former managing editor at the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, had a front row seat for the downsizing of the newspaper business. He says Wall Street bankers plundered the great newspapers to line their pockets. We'll talk to him about the fate of the newspaper industry. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Schools Audit, And Doctors Of The Night Seattle Schools Audit: The Washington State Auditor says the Seattle School District paid the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle for services the League didn't provide. This is the second time this year the auditor has found problems with school district payments to the Urban League. The finding is part of a report the auditor issued this week. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Inslee Won't Rule Out Raising Taxes: Washington's newly announced Democratic candidate for governor does not s ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Supreme Court Wrap-Up, And Women In Movies Supreme Court Session Ends: The US Supreme Court ended on Monday and this session was dominated by decisions that consistently favored the First Amendment. The court ruled against a ban of violent video games and for protestors at a military funeral. Businesses also fared well this session. Two rulings in cases brought against Walmart and AT&T tightened the rules on class–action lawsuits and allowed for companies to have new employees sign a contract promising not to sue as a cond ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Does It Mean To Be American? This weekend we celebrate the birthday of the United States. It's a good time to reflect on what it means to be an American. When do you think about being an American? What does it mean to be a good citizen? Vote? Pay taxes? Serve in the military? Protest injustice? Run for office? Let us know at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website High Quality Bellevue High Schools And The Danger Of Space Junk 'Tuba Man' Killer In Trouble With The Law Again: One of the three teens convicted of killing a popular Seattle street musician in 2008 continues to make headlines for his tangles with the law. Billy Chambers — who's now an adult — was most recently locked up for hit–and–run. It turns out he did not qualify for supervision by a juvenile parole officer because of state budget cuts. KUOW's Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. High Quality High Schools: Newsw ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Representative Jim McDermott Congressman Jim McDermott represents Washington's 7th District. He joins us to answer questions about the fight over the debt limit, charges that President Obama is defying congress by using military force in Libya, his proposal to itemize your federal tax bill and anything you'd like to ask him. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Representative Jim McDermott, Cont'd Congressman Jim McDermott represents Washington's 7th District. He joins us to answer questions about the fight over the debt limit, charges that President Obama is defying congress by using military force in Libya, his proposal to itemize your federal tax bill and anything you'd like to ask him. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Boeing Overcharges Army, Google +, The Costs Of War Boeing Overcharges The Army: According to a recent unclassified report marked "for official use only" from the Department of Defense (DOD), Seattle–based Boeing inflated the prices of parts it sold to the Army. The inspector general at the DOD is recommending that Boeing reimburse the Army $11 million. Google Enters Social Media Fray: On Tuesday, Google launched a social networking service that they are calling Google +. Google, among others, have tried and failed at atte ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The End Of The Ethanol Subsidy? The federal government spends $5 billion a year to subsidize ethanol. The fuel was once seen as a green alternative to petroleum but environmental support is waning. Adding to the industry's problems, a growing faction of the Republican Party wants to eliminate the subsidy to reduce the deficit. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Matthew Algeo: 'The President Is A Sick Man' In July 1893, President Grover Cleveland disappeared for five days. The official word was he was on vacation. Actually, he was being operated on for cancer on a boat. One newspaper printed the story but the White House denied it, and the story went away. Matthew Algeo takes us back a time when presidents could keep a grave illnesses secret and suppress reporters who told. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Microsoft Brings Office 365 To The Cloud, And State Employees Refuse Productivity Reward Microsoft Boots Up Office 365: Microsoft launches a version of their popular Office software that will be in the cloud, rather than on your desktop. All your information would be stored on remote servers, like Google documents. Supreme Court Hears Education Case: The Supreme Court of Washington state is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on a question that's hung over the state for 30 years: How to pay for public education. Courts have ruled three times that the state is not fulfilling its ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Much Of The World Is In Our Minds? How much of what we perceive is out there in the world and how much is in our minds? Neuroscientist Tali Sharot says we possess irrational optimism, because we have positive brains. Neuroscientist David Eagleman explores how our minds warp our sense of time and space. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Much Of The World Is In Our Minds? Cont'd. How much of what we perceive is out there in the world and how much is in our minds? Neuroscientist Tali Sharot says we possess irrational optimism, because we have positive brains. Neuroscientist David Eagleman explores how our minds warp our sense of time and space. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Inslee Announces Bid For Governor, Food Carts, Tourism Board Defunded Inslee Announces Bid For Governor: Democratic Representative Jay Inslee announced that he is joining the gubernatorial race this morning. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. The Food Cart Debate Rolls On: The City Council's Committee on Built Environments agreed to new details on rules that would expand access to street food. Washington Tourism Board: Due to budget constraints, Washington will no longer be funding the state tourism board. Washington will be the only state in the nation th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Race Is On: Rob McKenna Vs. Jay Inslee Another hat is in the ring for the governor's seat. We look at where the candidates stand on some of the major issues and hear from listeners about what issues are important to them. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New York Legalizes Gay Marriage On Friday night New York voted to legalize same–sex marriage. What is the state of same–sex marriage in Washington state? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Attack On Military Recruitment Center Thwarted On Wednesday night, two men were arrested and have since been detained after authorities learned of their plot to attack a Military Entrance Processing Station on East Marginal Way in Seattle. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes On Full Marijuana Legalization City Attorney Pete Holmes is joining an initiative campaign to fully legalize marijuana. He says prohibiting pot makes our government complicit in the tens of thousands of murders committed by Mexican drug cartels. We talk to Pete Holmes about his views on pot legalization, plus the language of the tunnel referendum and releasing the names of misbehaving police officers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington State Pain Management Law Will Take Effect Soon A new policy, the first of its kind in the nation, would create new guidelines and limitations on the prescriptions of opiates here in Washington. How would the new pain management law affect your life? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Military Widows Channel Grief, And Secure Communities In Washington Army Widow Channels Grief Into Running: Correspondent Austin Jenkins has the latest installment of his year–long series following soldiers who were members of the Washington–based 5th Stryker Brigade. Luis Gutierrez On Secure Communities In Washington: Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez is heading to Seattle this weekend to talk about immigration reform. He's an outspoken critic of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Secure Communities Program. In Washington state, 12 c ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Did Americans Turn Against The War In Afghanistan? Last night Barack Obama delivered a major speech on Afghanistan to a country that's turned against the war. More than half of Americans say the troops should be brought home as soon as possible. When and why did Americans turn against the war in Afghanistan? How has your thinking changed over the last decade? Give us a call at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Who Should Pay For Bus Service? King County Executive Dow Constantine wants a $20 car–tab fee to help fund Metro Transit bus service. What do you think of the proposed car–tab fee? Metro Transit warns that there would be a 17 percent cut to bus service if it doesn't pass. How much should drivers subsidize bus riders? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Civil Rights Leader Murder Possibly Solved And Boeing's Labor Case Politics Obama In A Tough Spot On Boeing Labor Case: The latest battle in Seattle is between Boeing and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB says Boeing broke federal labor laws by moving its second production line for the 787 Dreamliner to South Carolina. Hearings in Seattle started last week, and this epic battle between labor and business is putting President Barack Obama in a very tough spot politically. We'll talk it over with Jia Lynn Yang, staff writer at The Washington Post. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Full Pot Legalization For Wash.? Former US Attorney John McKay and others are backing a plan to legalize marijuana statewide. Backers say it's the first comprehensive pot initiative in the country. We talk to supporters and critics about the proposal that could be on the ballot in 2012. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Can Cities Solve The Climate Change Problem? There is no international plan to stop global climate change, but leaders of the world's leading cities met recently in Sao Paulo, Brazil to tackle the problem. How much can be done at the local level? We'll talk it over with Grist reporter and energy expert David Roberts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Life Jackets, Carrying Coals To Bellingham, Cars And Sexuality Mandatory Life Jackets: Yesterday the King County Council voted 5 – 4 to require life jackets on some major rivers. We'll talk to a proponent from the King County Council. Carrying Coals To Bellingham? The controversy continues over a proposed new coal port for Cherry Point in Bellingham. Yesterday we heard why Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike is opposed. Today we hear a different perspective from the head of the Bellingham–Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Cars And Sexuality ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Goodbye Free State Park Access, Bellingham Mayor Opposes Coal Port Free State Park Access Ends: Free access to Washington state Parks and Recreation lands is about to end. Starting July 1, visitors must pay a $10 day fee or buy a $30 annual pass. The new fee system comes as the state cut off funding to the park system because of tight budget times. KUOW's Austin Jenkins reports. Bellingham Mayor Opposes Coal Port: The debate over for a proposed coal port in Bellingham, Washington is getting more heated every day. Earlier this month Bellingham Mayor Dan ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Good Of A Deal Are Daily Deal Sites? Groupon now has more than 80 million users and hundreds of knockoff deal sites have popped up. They send members an email every day with a deal. Consumers buy pedicures, restaurant meals, or tango and surf lessons at huge discounts. But companies have experienced mixed results. What has your experience with daily deal sites been? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Best Or Worst Summer Job You Ever Had Summer officially starts tomorrow, and that means a flood of high schoolers and college students are sending out resumes looking for a way to pad their bank accounts over the next few months. What memories do summer jobs bring back for you? Hours standing at a restaurant's dishwashing station in unbearable heat? One riding lawnmower vs. dozens of acres of grass? Or did you have an amazing summer internship at your dream job? Call us with your best or worst summer job: 206.221.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Colton Harris-Moore, Liquor Privatization, And The Sovereign Movement Colton Harris–Moore Plea: Colton Harris–Moore pled guilty this morning in US District Court in Seattle. Harris–Moore's alleged crimes included robbing banks and stealing boats and airplanes, which he taught himself to fly. Depleted Budget Reserve: Lawmakers left town last month with a balanced budget and $700 million in a reserve fund. Now most of that reserve is wiped out in the latest revenue forecast released yesterday. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins explains. Li ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website High School And Father's Day High School: On Tuesday, Washington education officials released the results from this year's high school exit exam and we spoke with Deputy Superintendent Alan Burke about those numbers. Today we follow up and take a deeper look at those numbers. Father's Day! This Sunday is Father's Day. Listeners call in with their favorite memories of dear old dad and the funny stuff he said. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dad's Best Advice This Sunday is Father's Day. Listeners call in with their favorite memories of dear old dad and the funny stuff he said. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tacoma's Plan To Increase Recycling ATM Fee Update: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says JPMorgan Chase must figure out a way to make their ATMs warn welfare clients of an 85–cent fee to withdraw cash. The governor made her comments Wednesday, after she declined to veto the disclosure requirement. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. Tacoma Garbage Program: The city of Tacoma is set to launch a pilot program this July that would trash garbage pickup. The city is hoping to increase recycling by reducing how o ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ageism Do people discriminate against you because they think you're too old – or too young? Do you stereotype based on age? We explore the topic with listeners and KUOW's Public Insight Network sources. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ageism, Cont'd Do people discriminate against you because they think you're too old – or too young? Do you stereotype based on age? We explore the topic with listeners and KUOW's Public Insight Network sources. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Set To Sign Budget And FCC Study On Journalism Governor Set To Sign Budget: What Will She Veto? Governor Gregoire will be signing the 2011–2013 budget into law later today, but probably not all of it. In Washington the governor has the power to line–item veto. We'll check–in with our Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins. Burke–Gilman Trail Closure: In 2007, voters approved a parks expansion levy and now part of that money is being used to repair the popular Burke–Gilman trail. On Wednesday a stretch ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Public Lands With Peter Goldmark Washington State Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark sets policy for 3 million acres of publicly–owned land and 2.6 million acres of shorelines and tidelands. From wolves to wildfires — what is the state of more than 5 million acres of space? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Take A Hike! Hiking season is here. What are some of the hidden gems in the Northwest? Guidebook author Craig Romano, wildlife photographer Paul Bannick and listeners share tips on where you can go to take a hike. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website High School Test Results Released And Air Pollution In Seattle High School Test Results Released: Earlier today, Washington education officials released the results from this year's high school exit test, the High School Proficiency Exam. To be eligible to graduate, students in the classes of 2011 and 2012 must pass the reading and writing exams or one of the state–approved alternatives. Deputy Superintendent Alan Burke tells us how students scored. Safety Issues At Hanford Nuclear Plant: A federal nuclear watchdog says the safety culture at Hanf ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Bishops Of Bellevue And Dealing With Debt The Bishops In Bellevue: The US Conference of Catholic Bishops will take place in Bellevue at the end of the week. Bishops will meet to discuss policies on priest sexual abuse, gay marriage and physician assisted suicide. OneBusAway And GPS Technology Help Make Transit Info More Precise: For the last few years, real–time information has been changing how riders in the Puget Sound region use public transit. As more buses add GPS technology, that information will get even more precise. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dealing With Debt College costs have jumped 130 percent over the last 20 years. How should you deal with the debt? What's the best strategy to save to pay for it? Personal finance maven Jane Bryant Quinn joins us to talk about college costs and to answer your money questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Chris Gregoire Won't Seek Another Term Gregoire Not Running For Governor Again: Chris Gregoire announced this morning that she will not seek a third term as Washington state governor. Our Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins was in Olympia. He reports on her decision. Tolling Errors On Tacoma Narrows Bridge: Many commuters on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge using Good to Go accounts have received fines they say they don't deserve. The notices are being sent by the Electronic Transaction Consultants Corporation (ETCC) out of Richar ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Boeing Vs. Organized Labor Did Boeing break federal labor laws by moving its second production for the 787 Dreamliner to South Carolina? The National Labor Relations Board says they did. And if that ruling stands, there's a chance Boeing could be forced to move the line back to Washington state. A hearing on the case is scheduled in Seattle on June 14. We talk to the New York Times' labor reporter Steven Greenhouse and other labor experts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should You Buy An Electric Car? The first electric car charging stations in Seattle opened last Thursday. Are you thinking of buying an electric car? Our auto advisor Ashly Knapp joins us next. If you've got car buying questions, give us a call at 206.543.5869 Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana And Conservationists Vs. Cattlemen On Washington State Wolf Plan No Job Protection For Medical Marijuana Patients: The Washington Supreme Court ruled yesterday that medical marijuana users are not protected from being fired at work, even if they aren't using at work. Wolf Poaching Indictment: The long prison terms looming over three people, indicted this week for killing wolves, could send a message to poachers. But it won't bring back the first wolf pack to re–establish in Washington state. Correspondent Tom Banse reports that pack of endangered ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Changing Attitudes On Gay Marriage For the first time in Gallup polling history a majority of Americans say they support gay marriage. That's up from 27 percent just 15 years ago. What changed? How did your views change over the last few decades? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Travel Writing Travel Writer Paul Theroux hates "vacations and luxurious hotels." He'd rather "read about the miserable, or difficult, or inhospitable places; the forbidden cities and the back roads." What are your favorite books about travel? Which ones inspire you to wander? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rob McKenna Runs For Governor And What It Takes To Run Yourself McKenna For Governor: The state's top lawyer wants to be the next governor. Attorney General Rob McKenna officially launched his campaign Wednesday. He made his announcement at Sammamish High School in Bellevue, his high school alma mater. KUOW's Ruby de Luna was there. Running For Office In Wash.: Friday is the deadline to file to run for Seattle City Council or other local offices in Washington state. We'll talk to one of the state's top political consultants Christian Sinderman about ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Keeping Kids Out Of School Longer Most kids start kindergarten at age five. But the average age is increasing. One reason is redshirting. That's when parents keep their kids out of school until they're older to gain an advantage in sports or academics. We take a closer look with education writer Po Bronson, other guests and callers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Holy Rollers: Card Counting Christians Is card counting the Christian thing to do? A new documentary, "Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians," is opening this weekend at the Seattle International Film Festival. We'll talk to the film's director and one of the card counting team managers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website NPR's Ron Elving On Rob McKenna Ron Elving On McKenna: Rob McKenna will announce his candidacy for Washington state governor tonight. NPR news editor Ron Elving discusses the national significance of Rob McKenna's gubernatorial run. End Chase Contract: JPMorgan Chase charges Washington more than $8 million a year to disperse welfare benefits electronically. Now 35 Washington House Democrats have signed a letter asking the state to cancel that contract as soon as possible. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins has this f ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Attorney General Rob McKenna For Governor? Attorney General Rob McKenna is making it official: He'll announce tonight he's running for governor. How's he done in eight years as the state's top lawyer? We'll hear a variety of different perspectives on Attorney General McKenna. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Weinergate, Online Fantasy And Fidelity Representative Anthony Weiner has admitted to sending lewd photos and having explicit conversations with women on the internet. Nevertheless, he told reporters, "I love my wife very much and we have no intention of splitting up over this." The internet has transformed how people flirt and date, but how is the technology changing people's conceptions of acceptable behavior? Where do you draw the line between online fantasy and infidelity? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Frequent Flyer Fast Track Tuition Increase At Washington State University: The regents of Washington State University have approved a 16 percent increase in in–state undergraduate tuition. Effective for the coming fall semester, in–state students will have a tuition bill increase of just under $1,300 for the year. Possible TSA Fast Track: Hate waiting in security lines at the airports? The federal government may be exploring a fast track line for frequent flyers. Chase Bank ATM Fees: JPMorgan Chase i ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Brooke Gladstone And 'The Influencing Machine' "On the Media's" Brooke Gladstone has written a comic book manifesto about media and its discontents called "The Influencing Machine." Brooke Gladstone comes to KUOW and joins a studio audience to discuss why she is not worried about political bias in the media from Fox News or The New York Times, but is very worried about access and narrative bias. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Brooke Gladstone, Cont'd "On the Media's" Brooke Gladstone has written a comic book manifesto about media and its discontents called "The Influencing Machine." Brooke Gladstone comes to KUOW and joins a studio audience to discuss why she is not worried about political bias in the media from Fox News or The New York Times, but is very worried about access and narrative bias. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The MLK Bidding War, Governor Signs Tuition Bill, Algal Blooms School District Loses Cash In MLK Bidding War: Why did the cash strapped Seattle School District sell the Martin Luther King Jr. school to the lowest bidder? The Seattle Times has an investigative report. Tuition Bill Signed Into Law: Today Governor Chris Gregoire will be in Seattle to sign four key laws on higher education. They'll pave the way for higher tuition at the state's universities. Algal Blooms: Sometimes massive blooms of algae show up in coastal waters of the region, ma ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Grade Do You Give State Lawmakers? The governor gave the state legislature a 'A' for their work balancing the budget. Services were cut, but there are no new taxes. What grade would you give state lawmakers for their work this session? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Here Comes The Sun, Ask The Dermatologist Why are there more cases of skin cancer on the left side of the body? Does sun block really work? Is it a good idea to get some sun for the vitamin D? We've got a UW professor of dermatology on hand to answer your questions about skin cancer and more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Summer Job Training Summer Job Training: King County Work Training is working with South Seattle Community College and the Manufacturing Industrial Council on giving some of the jobless in Seattle the leg up they need to find work. The program is called SODO, Inc. and is geared toward high–school dropouts between the ages of 18 and 24 that have little to no employment history. George Dignan is the director of the King County Work Training Program YouthSource. Tacoma Narrows: The Washington state Depar ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Buy American? Seattle businessman Mark Bloome used to own a tire store in Los Angeles. Now he's started a campaign to encourage people to buy American–made products. Do you consciously buy American? What qualifies as an American–made product these days? And what about the problem of poverty in developing countries? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Of Death With Dignity In Washington Assisted suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian died early today. Part of his legacy is the voter approved physician assisted suicide law that went into place in Washington state in March, 2009. What's your perspective on assisted suicide today? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Parking Violators Get The Boot, And Antibiotic Resistant E. Coli Seattle To Give Parking Violators The Boot: Starting in July the city of Seattle will be putting boots on cars that have four or more outstanding parking tickets. How will it work and who is at risk of being given the city's most uncomfortable shoe? Alcohol Abuse In The Military: Almost 30 percent of the Army's suicide deaths between 2003 and 2009 involved alcohol or drugs. Yet Army research shows that many soldiers are reluctant to seek help on their own because it involves notifying uni ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Michael Shermer's Believing Brain Which comes first: belief or the reasons why we believe? According to Michael Shermer the question is much easier to answer than the chicken or the egg question. Founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine and author of "The Believing Brain" is here to discuss how we decide what we believe. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Last Mountain Miners are blowing up mountains in West Virginia to get the coal, with serious consequences for people who live nearby. We'll hear from the producer of the new documentary "The Last Mountain." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cheap Cigarettes At The PX And Who Is Using Twitter? Elwha River Dam: Today, nearly 100 years of hydropower production comes to a close on the Elwha River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The turbines at the two dams on the river are going offline for good in preparation for the biggest dam removal in North American history. KUOW's Tom Banse reports. Community College Cuts: In the new state budget, state community colleges are losing $85 million in the next two years. Seattle community colleges are making some tough decisions about how ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Abstention Vs. Moderation Can you go from being a heavy drinker to just having the occasional beer? Today, we look at the case for moderation and the case for abstention. What worked, or didn't for you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'In Defense Of Flogging' Should prisoners be given the option of being flogged instead of serving jail time? Professor Peter Moskos proposes this in his new book, "In Defense of Flogging." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Counterfeit Fish The State Of Real Estate In Seattle: Nationally, housing prices hit a new low today in the biggest housing drop since the great depression. But Seattle is one of two cities where prices edged up slightly from last month according to the Case–Schiller Index. What does this data mean for Seattle and the rest of the country? Counterfeit Fish: Fish is mislabeled as much as 25 percent to 70 percent of the time according to recent studies. Is that tuna you are eating really red snapper? B ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Changing Value Of A College Degree Only about 30 percent of the new jobs require a bachelor's degree. Is the US education system failing students by not providing other pathways? We'll hear from Bill Symonds of the Pathways to Prosperity Project at Harvard about the push for more vocational training in America. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pediatricians And The Vaccine Debate Some pediatricians are deciding not to treat children whose parents refuse to have them vaccinated, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. How are pediatricians in the Northwest handling vaccine–resistant families? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why We Make Mistakes It happens all the time: We search for something and then find it right in front of us. We get introduced to someone and forget their name in an instant. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Joseph Hallinan looks at the inbred biases that lead us to err and provides some handy advice on how to make fewer mistakes. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Being Wrong Is Right Centuries before Descartes wrote "I think, therefore I am," Augustine wrote "I err, therefore I am." Journalist and former Grist editor Kathryn Schulz explains why being wrong is not just part of being alive, but in some ways proof that you are alive. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Why The West Rules - For Now' Stanford historian Ian Morris attempts nothing less than a history of the world and educated guess about the future in his new book "Why The West Rules — For Now." He examines how geography and natural resources have shaped the geopolitical balance of power on the planet, and how those forces will continue to shape our future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Geoduck Festival K–12 Cuts: Washington state's next two–year budget cuts about $2 billion from education funding. Most of the cuts hit programs in K–12 schools. As KUOW's Liz Jones reports, local school districts are still counting up the losses. Cliff Mass: For 15 years, University of Washington Professor Cliff Mass was a regular on KUOW's airwaves. Every Friday, he would give listeners a look ahead to the weekend weather and the science behind it. But last week, KUOW abruptly dismissed M ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Schools Respond To State Budget Cuts State lawmakers hacked $4 billion from the budget this week, and education took the biggest hit. How will this affect Seattle Public Schools moving forward? School board members Kay Smith–Blum and Michael DeBell join us and we take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Page One: A Year Inside The New York Times' New York Times media reporter Brian Stelter is here to explain how digital media is roiling the grey lady. Slelter was hired by the New York Times at a very young age and helped in breaking the WikiLeaks story. Brian is one of the subjects of a new documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, "Page One: A Year Inside The New York Times." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington's Budget And Canadian Tech Company Takes Microsoft To Court Washington's Budget: The Washington Legislature adjourns, balancing the budget with nearly $5 billion in budget cuts. KUOW's Brian Buckalew reports. Canadian Tech Company Takes Microsoft To Court: There is a case now before the US Supreme Court that some say could change the rules for inventors. The case involves a small Canadian tech company, a US patent and Redmond–based Microsoft. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Will The State Budget Affect You? What kind of job do you think lawmakers did? We take your calls and check the facts with Governor Gregoire's budget director, Marty Brown. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Perjury Epidemic: James Stewart's New Book 'Tangled Webs' Why do so many public figures lie under oath? And what does it mean for American society? Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist James Stewart's new book is "Tangled Webs: How False Statements Are Undermining America: From Martha Stewart To Bernie Madoff." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Vote And Single-Payer Health Care Voting On The Tunnel: A measure aimed at blocking construction of a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct is going to Seattle voters. Will it stop the tunnel? We'll hear one view from Paula Hammond, state secretary of transportation. The Single–Payer Option: Tomorrow the governor of Vermont will sign a bill intended to bring a single–payer health insurance system to that state. Single–payer would mean universal health care for all Vermont residents paid through a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Patriot Act Extension The controversial Patriot Act is set to be extended and expanded 10 years after it first passed, despite objections from both conservatives and liberals. This week, the Senate will vote to extend provisions that were set to expire at midnight on Thursday. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Adapt: Why Success Always Starts With Failure' Nobody likes to fail, but it's inevitable and can be helpful. Tim Harford explores the topic in his new book "Adapt: Why Success Always Starts With Failure." Tim is the Undercover Economist for the Financial Times and he wrote the book by the same name. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget Deal Reached State Budget: Leaders in the Washington State Legislature released the details of their combined budget earlier today. SeattlePI.com Reporter Chris Grygiel joins us with more. Legality Of Marijuana Dispensaries: Is it legal to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Washington? Right now, cities have their own rules. In some cities the legality may even depend on which side of the street you're on. KUOW's Hansi Lo Wang has our story. eSe Teatro Presents 'Electricidad': A fledgling Seattle t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Eli Pariser And The Filter Bubble Eli Pariser says personalization on the web is leaving us in an isolating world. How does the Internet differ from person–to–person and why? The former head of MoveOn.Org joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Eli Pariser And The Filter Bubble, Part II Eli Pariser says personalization on the web is leaving us in an isolating world. How does the Internet differ from person–to–person and why? The former head of MoveOn.Org joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 2011 Legislative Session, Plastic In The Ocean, And Cost Of A Cab State Workers' Compensation Decision: Washington lawmakers say they've finally reached an agreement on how to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system. The issue has been one of the main sticking points during this spring's special legislative session. In Olympia, KUOW's Bryan Buckalew reports. The 2011 Legislative Session: The special session of the Washington Legislature ends next Wednesday, and decisions on issues from medical marijuana to the stadium tax are expected. Chri ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cliff Mass Your reaction to the dismissal of "Weekday" contributor and meteorologist Cliff Mass. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Allergy Advice It's the allergy season. The pollen count is expected to spike tomorrow. Need advice about what to do? Clinic Chief at UW Medicine's Shoreline Clinic Dr. Matther Jaffey is here to answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dorothy Parvaz Is Released, And The History Of Apocalyptic Thinking Dorothy Parvaz: Former Seattle P–I reporter Dorothy Parvaz was released from captivity on Tuesday after 19 days in detention, first in Syria and then in Iran. Al Jazeera reporter Dorothy Parvaz joins us. History Of Apocalyptic Forecasts: According to 89–year–old radio host Harold Camping, tomorrow (May 21) is the day of the rapture and the world will end later this year in October. Apocalyptic predictions are not new, there have been dozens in the last few decades alone. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cop Love Recognizing "Police Appreciation Week:" What are your stories of great encounters with the men in blue? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Adult Education The recession has encouraged many adults to go back to school. Is going back to school worth it? We hear from listeners about their experiences. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website President Obama On The Middle East, Transgendered City Employees And Redesigning Supermarkets President Obama On The Middle East: President Obama's speech, just a couple of hours ago, was his first attempt at contextualizing the recent upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa for Americans far removed from the so–called Arab Spring. Health Coverage For Transgendered City Employees: A recent letter from the Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission brought to light a discrimination against transgender city workers in the current health insurance policy. Seattle Co ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debating The Second A In AA Alcoholics Anonymous believes anonymity is the key to their approach. But critics say the concept of anonymity is outmoded. What's your experience with anonymity and addiction? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Should You Pay For Roads? Gas taxes pay for roads. It's been that way for over eight decades. But some transportation planners say the gas tax is the wrong approach moving forward. They're proposing vehicle–miles traveled (VMT) taxes. We'll take a closer look at the issues (privacy, environmental protection, and declining gas tax revenue) and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dorothy Parvaz Free, Kill Team, Hanford, Zero Energy House Dorothy Parvaz Free: Former Seattle P–I and current Al–Jazeera journalist Dorothy Parvaz has been released after being detained in Iran. Here in Seattle her friend and former colleague Kristen Young started an international effort to free Dorothy Parvaz, including a Facebook page and Twitter account team of friends and family. Kristen Young joins us. Kill Team: The Army has charged a sixth soldier based in western Washington in the murder of three Afghan civilians last year. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Portland Vs. Seattle One city has a lot of bridges. The other may be building a tunnel. But which city is better? We answer this question once and for all by talking to Portland's Mayor Sam Adams, other special guests and taking your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Future Babble' How accurate are all the expert forecasts you hear in the news? Our guest today says they're next to worthless. Dan Gardner is a columnist for the Ottawa Citizen. His latest book is "Future Babble: Why Expert Predictions Are Next To Worthless, And You Can Do Better." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Paying For Bus Service, Job Creation And Syttende Mai! $20 Motor Vehicle Fee For Bus Service: The King County Council is trying to decide whether to impose a $20 motor vehicle fee to pay for bus service. Councilmember Bob Ferguson explains why he's undecided. Where are the jobs: US Secretary of Commerce, and former Washington State Governor, Gary Locke is meeting with business leaders in Minnesota today to find out why many companies remain reluctant to create new jobs. We'll hear what he had to say. Syttende Mai: May 17 is Norway's Constitut ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Do You Think Of The Proposed Stadium Tax Extension? There's a hearing today on a bill to extend King County's stadium taxes. The money would be used for housing, to fix the convention center and to promote the arts. Opponents say those taxes were supposed to end when the stadiums were paid off. Supporters say the need is acute and the taxes should be extended. What do you say? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website PDA Verboten In NW? Public displays of affection (PDA) make a lot of Seattleites really uncomfortable. According to a new survey, Seattle is the 8th least comfortable city with PDA of 100 cities. What's your policy on public displays of affection? Where do you draw the line? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nuclear Waste, Whale Watching, Texas Cheerleader, And Pursuing A Ph.D. Taking The Department Of Energy Out Of Nuclear Waste: Across the nation nuclear waste is piling up with no permanent safe place to be stored. Much of it is at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeast Washington. Now, a Blue Ribbon Commission says the US needs a new federal agency with the mission of finding and building a home for the nation's nuclear waste. Correspondent Anna King reports. Whale Watching: Going on a whale watching tour is a popular activity in the border waters betw ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dyslexia Why are so many entrepreneurs dyslexic? Could it be that something long considered a learning disability conveys an advantage? We discuss dyslexia with Jill Stowell of the Stowell Learning Center. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website David Shipler And 'The Rights Of The People' How were our rights to privacy and justice impacted by the attacks of September 11? Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Shipler examines that question and searches for the answer in his new book, "The Rights of the People: How our Search for Safety Invades our Civil Liberties." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Veterans' Mental Health, Sodexo Protests, And Shark Fin Ban Is The VA Failing Vets? This week the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a strongly worded opinion criticizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The courts ruled the VA needs to dramatically overhaul its health care system. The court cited "unchecked incompetence" at the VA in handling the surge of veterans dealing with post–traumatic stress. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports. Protesting Sodexo: Students at the University of Washington have been getting arrested for pr ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gamification Gamification is the concept that you can apply the basic elements that make games fun and engaging to things that typically aren't considered a game. From operating rooms to Facebook , gamification is all around us, but can video games actually make you a better person? We explore how gamification is entering more and more aspects of people's everyday lives. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Smoking Ban There's a bill to allow cigar lounges in our state, it would be the first easing of the tobacco ban passed by voters in 2005. Should lawmakers allow it? And what do you think of the tobacco ban now that it's been in place for a while? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana, Tax Loopholes, Army Training And Pygmy Rabbits Medical Marijuana Bill Faces Scrutiny: Some medical marijuana groups don't like the last minute redraft of the law. KUOW's Brian Buckalew reports on why the Washington Cannabis Association isn't pleased. Tax Loopholes For Banks: Currently in Washington, banks get a tax preference on the interest revenue they collect on first mortgages, but some house democrats are sponsoring a bill that would change that. House Bill 2078 aims to fund the reduction of K–3 classroom sizes by closing th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle SlutWalk Earlier this year, a Toronto police officer advised women to "avoid dressing like sluts" to stop rape. The comment sparked a global protest movement called SlutWalk. A march is planned for Seattle this June. The protestors' point is that women should be able to dress however they want. But some feminists say SlutWalk is the wrong approach. We hear from both sides. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cambodia's Curse Cambodia has never recovered from the trauma of the Khmer Rouge genocide. The entire nation suffers from post–traumatic stress disorder. Most of the malnourished population lives much like they did 1,000 years ago. Joel Brinkley discusses his new book "Cambodia's Curse." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Detaining The Enemy, ATM Fees, Audit Budget Cut, Single-Payer Health Care Broadening The Definition Of Enemy: Congress votes today on a measure that codifies into law the right of the president to detain people without trial if they're determined to part of the Taliban, al–Qaida and their allies. This would give the president the authority to iniate military action on those allies without further congressional approval. Is this too great an extention of presidential power? Update On Chase Bank ATM Fees: Our story earlier this week that Chase bank is i ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Rising Cost Of College Tuition hikes are on the way at Washington's five state universities. What families will now be eligible for financial aid? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hats Off To Graduation It's graduation season. What's the best advice you got as a graduate? What's the best advice you gave? Or, what is the worst advice you got? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Metro Budget Cut, Bridgeport High School, Al Qaeda After Osama Metro Budget Cut: Bus service in King County could see some big cuts to routes and hours unless a $20 license fee is approved. The state Legislature gave the King County Council the authority to raise the $20 license fee, but only if two–thirds of the council approves it. So far it's unclear whether the council has the votes needed to pass the fee. Joining us to talk about the impact on bus riders is Kevin Desmond, general manager of King County Metro. Wash. High School Loses Obama, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'When Gadgets Betray Us' Eighty–eight percent of men between the ages of 18 and 49 say they love their mobile phones. But the feeling is not mutual, according to journalist Robert Vamosi. His new book, "When Gadgets Betray Us," warns about our growing attachment to technology. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Defense Policy After Osama Osama bin Laden's dead. What are America's defense priorities moving forward? Defense and nuclear expert Joseph Cirincione joins us to discuss the post–bin Laden defense landscape, nuclear power after Fukushima and more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dennis Kucinich Eyes Wash., Green Cards For Sale, Undisclosed ATM Fees Congressman Dennis Kucinich To Run In Wash.? Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich joins us to explain why he's considering a run in Washington state. Green Cards For Sale: KUOW's Liz Jones reports on how foreign investors go to the head of the immigration line when they're willing to put money into certain US businesses. Chase Charges Welfare Recipients Undisclosed ATM Fee: JPMorgan Chase has been collecting ATM fees from welfare recipients in Washington without disclosing the fee at ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead Should Dennis Kucinich run here in Washington? And how will lawmakers in Olympia resolve their differences over workers compensation, education and other issues? Two politicos join us next to talk about The Week Ahead in Washington state. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Is Joe Palca Annoyed? From slurping soup to nails on a chalk board, everyone has a list of things that irk and annoy them. But have you ever thought about why? In "Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us" NPR science correspondent Joe Palca looks at the reasons why these things bother us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Trespassing In Seattle, Kucinich For Congress, Lobbying In Olympia Is The Trespass Law Unworkable? Critics say the Seattle trespass law is arbitrary and unworkable. And police don't necessarily disagree. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Kucinich In Washington: Ohio Congressional Representative Dennis Kucinich might be heading to Washington state to run for Congress. How would Kucinich win hearts and minds here? Joining us with advice for a possible Kucinich campaign is Democratic political consultant Christian Sinderman. Lobbying Olympia: In just the first thr ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 25 Percent Of US Children Are Raised By A Single Parent A recent survey shows that 1 in 4 parents in the US is a single parent. That number is even higher in Washington state: 29 percent of kids under 18 are being raised by a single parent. How hard is it to raise a child on your own? What are the advantages? If you did it, would you again? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Happy Mother's Day This Sunday is Mother's Day. What's the most memorable advice you got from your mom? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wolf Hunt, Greenest Buildings, And 'They're Always After Me Lucky Charms!' Hunters Prepare For Wolf Season: Wolves have been de–listed from the endangered species list. Jessica Robinson reports wolves' only predator, humans, are ready for the hunt. It Isn't Easy Being Greenest: Developers in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C. are all trying to build the greenest commercial building in the world. Tom Banse takes us on a three‐city tour to learn how these self–sustaining mid–rise structures will generate all of their own electricity, coll ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will Podcasts Kill The Radio Star? Former NPR President Vivian Schiller recently said of public broadcasters: your continued existence is not guaranteed. She said the monopoly advantage of the radio tower will begin to fade. Do you find the radio tower has a diminishing role in your listening? Do you listen to podcasts instead? Today, we'll talk about new ways to consume media. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website International Day Of The Midwife Today is International Day of the Midwife. It's true! To celebrate, we'll talk to a woman who's been called the mother of authentic midwifery, Ina May Gaskin. She has gained an international reputation in obstetrics and her new book is "Birth Matters: A Midwives's Manifesta." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana By County And Hot Spot Law Enforcement Next Move For Dispensaries: With Governor Gregoire's veto of key sections in the medical marijuana bill, some are taking a new approach; let each county decide whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. Mapping Crime: Hot spot law enforcement focuses the places where most crime takes place. Where are the hot spots in Seattle? We'll talk to Councilman Tim Burgess about the new policing method. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are Online Friends Real Friends? A new study says social success online doesn't translate into social success in the so–called real world. What's your experience? We'll take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tax Loopholes, Military Drug Use And Diversity At The University Of Washington Tax Loopholes: Did voters still want to require a two–thirds vote to cut tax loopholes? They approved Tim Eyman's Initiative 1053 last year but Seattle Senator Ed Murray thinks they've changed their minds. The Association of Washington Business says there's no changing the law. We'll hear both sides of the argument. Marijuana Use Leads To Discharge: Nearly a quarter of his platoon was killed, but Bill Surwillo survived Afghanistan. Now he's been kicked out of the Army and he's losing ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Former P-I Reporter Missing In Syria And Reining In Food Ads For Kids Former P–I Reporter Missing In Syria: Former Seattle P–I journalist Dorothy Parvaz is missing in Syria. Dorothy Parvaz wrote for the P–I for nine years. Now she reports for Al Jazeera. We talk to Syrian blogger and Mid–East studies professor Joshua Landis. They're Always After Me Lucky Charms: Last week, the government proposed voluntary rules for food ads aimed at kids to promote better health. Advertisers and grocers are as outraged as the Lucky Charms Leprechaun. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mandatory Sick Pay? The Seattle City Council is considering a new law that would require employers to provide paid sick leave. Should all workers in Seattle get paid sick leave? Or is the proposal a burden on small businesses? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Making The Case For Human Rights The executive director of Amnesty International USA joins us to talk about global human rights. Amnesty is celebrating its 50th anniversary; what has the organization learned about making the case for human rights over the last half century? We'll also talk about the death of Osama bin Laden, the former P-I reporter missing in Syria and other news. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana Veto, Coal Trains And Washington's Best Teachers Will The Governor Veto The Medical Marijuana Bill? This afternoon Governor Gregoire is expected to veto all or portions of the medical marijuana bill passed by the Legislature. She is concerned it would subject state employees who license medical marijuana dispensaries to possible arrest by federal authorities. Has this been a problem in the 14 other states that have legalized medical marijuana? Coal Controversy Gets Heated: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire puts one long–running env ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Changing The Way We Go To The Movies At one time going to the movies was the quintessential shared urban experience. But today you can watch movies by yourself and at your convenience on DVDs, on demand, or streaming over the Internet. On this program we take a closer look at movie–going with an expert on the history of the audience. And we'll hear your stories about watching movies way–back–when and now. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Did You Learn Those First Two Years? Last month, NPR's Steve Inskeep interviewed Richard Arum, a professor of sociology at New York University and co-author of a book called "Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses." In the book, Arum questions whether young people attending college today will actually learn that much once they arrive on campus. We discuss with listeners if you actually learn anything in the first two years of college. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana Politics And The Future Of Dynamic Pricing Medical Pot Politics: Medical marijuana proponents in Washington met with the governor this week. But they didn't change her mind. Democrat Chris Gregoire said Wednesday she still intends to veto large sections of a bill that would regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana in Washington for medical purposes. We'll hear more about her concerns and talk to Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Hauge. Dynamic Pricing: There was a time when most retailers asked everyone to pay the same ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The American Dream 2011 Most 18 to 24–year–olds think it will be harder for them to buy a house or save for retirement than it was for their parents. How hard is it to climb the economic ladder today in the United States compared to the past? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website General Michael Hayden On Cyberwar And Cyberterrorism We've seen cyberterrorism featured in movies like "Live Free Or Die Hard." But what are the real threats? General Michael V. Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, joins us next to talk about it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington's Special Session, Tacoma Amber Alert, Art Czar, Tattoo Exhibit Washington Legislature Begins Special Session: The Washington Legislature's special session gets underway with major differences between the House and Senate budget bills. KUOW's Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports No Further Punishment For Tacoma Police Officer: Tacoma police have decided not to discipline a police officer who fell asleep before issuing an Amber alert warning. The girl who was missing was murdered. There Is A New Art Czar In Town: We'll learn about Seattle's bran ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 2012 GOP Presidential Field: Can Anyone Beat Barack Obama? Can anyone beat Obama in next year's presidential race? Republicans are in disarray but it's early. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced that he is no longer in the running. So, who is? Who do you think would be there strongest candidate? And what should that candidate stand for? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The System Vs. Barack Obama' By Eric Alterman Columnist, author and journalism Professor Eric Alterman says the Obama administration has been a big disappointment for progressives. In his new book, "Kabuki Democracy: The System vs. Barack Obama," he seeks to explain how structural impediments have blocked the president from fulfilling his democratic mandate. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cop Communication, Battle For The Spectrum, Pledge–Free Pledge Drives? Seattle Police Get Trained To Talk More And Use Less Force: Seattle and King County Police are getting new training to talk more before resorting to physical force in stressful situations with no immediate threat. KUOW's Hansi Lo Wang reports. Broadcasters Vs. Wireless In A Battle For The Spectrum: Since TV stations went digital they're not using all the space they've been allocated on the airwaves. Digital channels don't take up as much room. The Federal Communications Commission plans on ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Living In A White City, Part 2 Our discussion yesterday, about what it means that Seattle is the fifth whitest city in country, quickly got deep into racial attitudes. What does it mean when two–thirds of the population is white? Psychologists at New York University just published a study in the latest issue of the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" that found that people may make economic and trust decisions based on unconscious or unintentional racial biases. We continue our conversation. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Publish A Book So, you want to publish a book but you aren't sure where to start? Authors Jennifer Worick and Kerry Colburn published 40 of their own books and have 40 years of experience in the publishing business. They join us to answer your questions about how to get it done. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Miner's Body Recovered, Special Session Preview, Wage Theft, Cloudpacalypse! Miner's Body Recovered: Crews at the Lucky Friday Mine in north Idaho have recovered the body of the miner trapped underground more than a week ago. Northwest News Network Correspondent Jessica Robinson reports. Special Session Preview: Tomorrow the state Legislature begins a special session to work out Washington's budget. We'll get a preview with Jordan Schrader of the Tacoma News Tribune. Wage Theft: The City of Seattle is considering stiffer penalties for wage theft. That's when ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Living In A White City What's it like to live in such a white city? Census figures show Seattle is one of the whitest in the country. What does that mean? We talk to you about these latest figures. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why We Care Why do we care about others? Patricia Churchland finds some answers by looking into the latest neuroscience research. The MacArthur Fellow and emeriti professor of philosophy at the University of California San Diego doesn't say we can completely understand morality from examining neural science, but it does provide a platform for moral behavior. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana Law, The Brothers Koch, And High Tech Contact Lenses Medical Marijuana: What Will Be Vetoed? Governor Gregoire now has a bill on her desk to legalize and license medical–marijuana dispensaries. She's said she'll veto parts of it that she says could make state employees subject to federal prosecution. What will happen if she just vetoes parts of the bill and how will this affect patients, growers and dispensaries? Koch Invokes First Amendment Rights: The conservative Koch brothers use their billions of dollars to advocate for conservati ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Jury Duty A lot of people dread getting that letter in the mail telling them to report for jury duty. Our guest today is not one of them. He says serving on a jury changes people for the better. Did jury duty change you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Food Memories: What Is Your Tasty Tale? What are your food memories from childhood? We'll hear from some well–known local chefs and we want to hear from you. Share your lip smacking or stomach churning stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Congestion, Motorcyclist Discrimination Bill, And Rain Gardens New Report: Tunnel Tolling Impact On Seattle Traffic The deep–bore tunnel could cause a lot of traffic congestion. According to a new report being released this afternoon, tens of thousands of cars could spill onto city streets to avoid paying tolls. We talk to the state Department of Transportation. Members Of Outlaw Motorcycle Club Attend Wash. Bill Signing: A recent bill signing ceremony with Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has caught the attention of some police officers. M ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Google Thinks, Works, And Shapes Our Lives In just a dozen years Google has become a huge force in the way we learn about the world. How did it get there? How did Googling become a verb? Is it living up to its slogan, 'don't be evil'? Steve Levy has been covering Google since 1999. He'll tell us what he learned to write his new book "In the Plex." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Cost Of Higher Education Should an English degree cost less than an Engineering degree? Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, thinks so. In 2007, he did a study of higher education in Washington state. One of his suggestions was that supply and demand should dictate the cost of college degrees. What do you think? Should different degrees be priced differently? Is that a good option to help fund higher education? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sales Tax Hike Proposed, Dozing Air Traffic Controllers, Marmot Count Potential Temporary Tax Increase: The state Legislature is debating sharp budget cuts to deal with the fact that Washington is spending billions more than it's getting in tax revenue. But despite the conventional wisdom that Washington voters won't raise taxes, state Senator Paull Shin is proposing a temporary 1 percent sales tax increase. We'll ask him why. Sleeping On The Job: Dozing air traffic controllers have caught the nation's attention. We'll talk to a 20 year veteran controller ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sleep Troubles The problem of sleep deprivation doesn't just affect air traffic controllers. Are you having trouble sleeping? We'll get some advice on how to get more sleep when Ross talks with a sleep expert Hans Van Dongen. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is the State Doing Enough To Save Money? Washington state auditor Brian Sonntag has identified millions of dollars in potential savings in his performance audits of state and local governments. Are state officials following his recommendations? We'll find out and take your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gas Speculators, Tribe Bails Out Snohomish Cty., Gang Prevention That Works Senators Point Fingers At Speculators: The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the Seattle area is $3.92. High gas prices have prompted the state's two US senators to step up their calls for new regulations in the financial markets. They say speculators are to blame for the spike in prices. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports. Tribes Bailout County: Like many counties in Washington, Snohomish County is in tough financial straits. County Prosecutor Mark Roe says the b ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is Obama Acting Like A Democrat? Democratic Congressman Peter DeFazio said recently that he and other liberal Democrats want to apply enough pressure on President Obama to make him act like a Democrat. Is President Obama acting like a Democrat? Call us with your thoughts at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Health Care: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is responsible for implementing health insurance reform in our state. If you have a question about health reform, call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Trapped Idaho Miner, Intiman Cancels Season, And Gang Profiling Miner Trapped Underground: Rescue crews say they're getting closer to a miner trapped more than 6,000 feet underground in Northern Idaho. The mine's owner says rescuers have advanced more than 32 feet since the collapse late Friday afternoon, but progress is slow. We speak live with Northwest News Network correspondent Jessica Robinson. Intiman Season Cancelled: Seattle's award–winning Intiman Theater is cancelling the rest of their 2011 season with hopes to reopen in 2012. KUOW's ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Early Release For Some Inmates Both houses of the state Legislature are proposing to release some inmates early. Some would be high–risk, meaning they're likely to reoffend. None were convicted of violent crimes. But the money saved would go into proven crime prevention programs. Is this a worthwhile trade–off? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website It's 'Getting Better' All The Time? Is the world getting better? "Getting Better" is the title of New American Foundation fellow Charles Kenny's new book in which he argues that development is working to improve our lives. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana, More Tunnel Initiatives, And Working Conditions Medical Marijuana: The state Legislature has passed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana dispensaries and growers. But the Department of Justice says growers and distributors would still be subject to prosecution under federal law. Governor Gregoire says she cannot sign the bill if "the department would prosecute those involved." So where does that leave medical marijuana reform? We talk to Seattle lawmaker Jeanne Kohl–Welles who sponsored the original pot reform bi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Marine's Path To Peace War changes people. It changed Rye Barcott. He's an Iraq war veteran and the founder of a nonprofit that takes a collaborative approach to alleviating poverty in Kenya. We'll talk to him about that work and about his new book, "It Happened On the Way to War: A Marine's Path to Peace." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Idaho Gangs, And Nirvana Idaho Gangs: Most new gang members join when they're about 13 years old. They think the gang will give them prestige, a sense of belonging and protection. But it often doesn't pan out that way. Gang members become much more likely to be the victims of violence and crime, many want out, but it's not easy to do. This week we're taking a look at what police say is a resurgence of gang activity, especially in rural areas. In part four of our series "Living In Gangland," correspondent ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wolves, Living In Gangland, And Women In Gangs Gray Wolves May Be Fair Game: A proposal to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list sets a dangerous precedent according to some environmental groups. Congress expects to vote on the bill today. It includes an amendment to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Correspondent Jessica Robinson reports. Living In Gangland: Part 3: What does it mean if you're the mother of a gang member? Or the girlfriend of a gang member? They ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website For Teachers, State Budget + Deficit = Pay Cuts The state senate budget proposal cuts teachers' pay by 3 percent. It also cuts back funding to schools that can't bring down the truancy rate. We'll take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Francis Fukuyama And America's Political Order Francis Fukuyama, the Stanford historian and author of "The End of History," attempts no less than an analysis of "The Origins of Political Order" in his new book. Along the way he questions whether America's liberal democracy is up to the huge challenges it faces in the near future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pregnancy Centers, State Cuts To Basic Health Challenged, And Rural Gangs Free Speech Or Deception: Some pregnancy centers actively discourage women from seeking abortion. Are they practicing free speech or deceiving clients? Reporter Megan Walker tells the story.State Cuts To Basic Health Challenged: Washington's subsidized health insurance program for low income people is facing a legal challenge. Late last week, advocates of low income families filed a federal lawsuit. As KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports, the case is challenging the state's recent decision to remo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Obama Seeks $4 Trillion Deficit Reduction President Obama has announced his deficit reduction plan. It includes allowing Bush–era tax cuts for the wealthy to expire. Republicans say the problem isn't that taxes are too low; it's that government spends too much. We'll hear more about the speech and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Naked Truth Behind The Barefoot Bandit Reportedly there's a plea agreement in the case of Colton Harris–Moore, also known as the Barefoot Bandit. The teenage outlaw is accused of stealing small planes (despite no flight training), boats, luxury cars and credit cards while successfully avoiding police for two years. Everett Herald reporter Jackson Holtz tells the story in his new book "Fly, Colton, Fly." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tax Loopholes, 520 Tolling Delayed, And Space Shuttle to Seattle? Shutting Down Shuttle Dreams: The space shuttle will boldly go to four other cities. After years of work and $12 million spent on a glass–enclosed Space Gallery, Seattle's Museum of Flight fails to nab a space shuttle. Reporter Deb Wang was at the announcement. For Whom The Bridge Tolls: Tolling on the 520 bridge will be delayed due to problems with the vendor doing the tolling system. We'll talk to the state's transportation department tolling manager and find out why. New Fight To ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Living In Gangland: Rural Gangs Claim Public Lands If you think gangs are only in cities, think again. Grant County in Central Washington has only 85,000 people but 400 known gang members. We'll hear Austin Jenkins' report. Washington's rural gang problem is not new and Gabriel Morales knows that first hand. He grew up in Yakima County and is now a consultant on gang prevention and intervention for law enforcement. KUOW's Anna King sat down for an interview with Morales for our series, "Living in Gangland." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Getting Into The 'Right' School Some parents are so desperate to get their kids into Seattle's Garfield High school they'll move. What extraordinary measures do you take to get your kid into the right school? What did you do when you didn't get the school you wanted? What does it say about the school district when so some schools are desirable and others are not? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Statewide Broadcast: Cascade Curtain Statewide Broadcast: Cascade Curtain: Lawmakers in Olympia are battling over competing plans for balancing the state budget. King County generates 42 percent of taxes paid to the state of Washington, but the county only gets back 26 percent of state expenditures. Is that fair? This issue came into sharp relief recently with the proposal from three Western Washington lawmakers for a constitutional amendment to allow the state to dissolve counties that get much more from the state budget tha ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Statewide Broadcast: Cascade Curtain, Part II Lawmakers in Olympia are battling over competing plans for balancing the state budget. What do citizens on the other side of the state think? Is there such a thing as a 'Cascade curtain' dividing Eastern and Western Washington? Tune in for this special statewide live broadcast on Northwest Public Radio, Spokane Public Radio and KUOW. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Statewide Broadcast: Cascade Curtain, Part III Lawmakers in Olympia are battling over competing plans for balancing the state budget. What do citizens on the other side of the state think? Is there such a thing as a Cascade Curtain dividing Eastern and Western Washington? Tune in for this special statewide live broadcast on Northwest Public Radio, Spokane Public Radio and KUOW. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Olympia Rallies, Medicare Shutdown, And Tesoro Findings Rallies In Olympia: Last night 17 people were arrested trying to break into Governor Gregoire's office at the capitol building. There have been demonstrations all week over deep budget cuts to cover a $5.1 billion budget shortfall. KUOW's correspondent Austin Jenkins says today's demonstration, led by labor groups, is supposed to be the topper. Effect Of The Shutdown On Medicare: The clock is ticking and it appears the federal government is heading toward a shutdown. KUOW's Ruby de Luna r ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mutual Enemies, And Filming In Seattle Friends That Hate Together: If you and someone you know don't like the same person, you've got a better chance of connecting. We'll hear from a psychologist who has studied the bonding power of mutual dislike, and hear whether you find it be true. Bringing The Film Industry To Seattle There's a new cable TV series set in Seattle, and it's called "The Killing." If you caught the first episode this past weekend, you may have noticed the aerial shots of downtown and the Space Nee ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A History Of Compulsory Vaccination What happens when personal belief collides with public health? It's an issue now in some parts of the Northwest with widespread resistance to vaccinations. In "Pox: An American History," Michael Willrich looks at the origins of the battle in the government's compulsory vaccination campaign for smallpox in the early 20th century. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Liquor Distribution, Crowdworking, And Caucuses Deal Or No (Liquor) Deal? Is the deal to lease Washington state's liquor distribution system good for state finances? Correspondent Austin Jenkins distills the details of latest proposal. Hello Caucus! It looks like the Washington Legislature will ditch the presidential primary to save money. Instead, Presidential nominees will be chosen in Republican and Democratic caucuses. Is this good for democracy? What In The (Internet) World Is Crowdworking? Employers are turning to the Internet m ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Coming Soon To A Vacant Lot Near You What do you want to have in that empty lot down the street? Food carts? Parkour? Street hockey? This week the Seattle City Council approved a law to allow temporary use empty lots around town. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cable Free TV How to cut cable and still watch TV? Rob Pegoraro who writes the Fast Forward column for The Washington Post, gives us an insider's tips on making the switch. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Federal Governnent Shutdown, Voting By Mail, And Evacuating The Northwest What Will Federal Governnent Shut Down Mean for Washington? The federal government could shut down Friday because of a dispute over the budget. What would that mean to you? In–Person Voting — Thing Of The Past? Governor Gregoire just signed a new law requiring all Washington counties to vote by mail. Pierce County was the last place that still had polling places. Evacuation Plans Many people on the Northwest coastline will not have time to get to high ground if a tsunami ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will Your Marriage Last? For more than 25 years Dr. John Gottman has studied how marriages work. He's gotten so good at it that he can predict within five minutes whether a couple will get divorced. He joins us to answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Education Reform Two state senators have introduced an education reform bill that would make school districts determine layoffs by teacher quality rather than seniority. It would also allow principals to fire teachers who fail to improve, and conversely give merit pay to good teachers. Should lawmakers approve it? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budgets And Bedbugs Budget Shrinking Pains: Democrats in the state house are out with their budget plan. It includes a half–billion dollars in cuts to higher education. We'll talk to the budget's author, House Ways and Means Committee chair, Democrat Ross Hunter, and his Republican counterpart, Gary Alexander. They're Here! "Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite," is what parents tell their kids. Yet bed bugs remain a persistent problem, even at fancy hotels in Seattle. We'll hear from t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fewer In-State Students Admitted To The UW Many students dream of attending the University of Washington. But fewer in–state students were admitted to the school for this coming fall. The UW is admitting a higher percentage of out–of–state students — who pay more — to make up for state budget cuts. What do you think of the policy? What is to be done? We'll talk to the UW's Norm Arkans and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Built To Spill? We're coming up on the anniversary of the explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Today we'll talk to Tom Bancroft, the new head of the environmental group, People for Puget Sound. Previously he headed up National Audubon's scientific evaluations of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We'll ask him: What are the lessons from that spill? How prepared are we for a major oil spill today? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Federal Budget Showdown And Building Bridges With The Private Sector Federal Budget Showdown: Republicans and Democrats have until Friday to vote on a bill with $33 billion in spending cuts if they want to avoid a government shutdown. Intense negotiations are reportedly underway behind closed doors to pass the 2011 budget. Building Bridges With The Private Sector: Anyone who drives to Portland is familiar with the long traffic tie–ups crossing the Columbia River. Everyone agrees there needs to be a new Columbia River crossing, but no one knows how ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Words You Love (and Hate) With Ben Zimmer, Part I Hang around the proverbial office water cooler these days and you hear words like 'ginormous' or 'chillax.' What new words do you love? What words do you hate? And what's the dividing line between slang and conventional English in 2011? Does someone need to call the language police? We'll take your phone calls and talk about words with language guru Ben Zimmer. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Words You Love (And Hate) With Ben Zimmer Part II And Washington State Budget Hang around the proverbial office water cooler these days and you hear words like 'ginormous' or 'chillax.' What new words do you love? What words do you hate? And what's the dividing line between slang and conventional English in 2011? Does someone need to call the language police? We'll take your phone calls and talk about words with language guru Ben Zimmer. Also, the Washington state House budget is being released today at noon. What's getting axed? What isn't? Our Olympia corresponde ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Soldier's Unlucky End, McNeil Island Closes, And The Downside Of 'Gamification' Roadside Bomb Survivor Dies In Car Crash: As part of his continuing series on the returning members of the Stryker Brigade, Austin Jenkins reports on a soldier who survived a massive roadside bomb in Afghanistan, only to have his luck run out when he returned home. McNeil Island Corrections Center Closes: Today the McNeil Island Corrections Center closes after 135 years as both a federal and state prison. We'll talk to the last superintendent. An Optimist In A Pessimist's World: Twenty ye ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dept. Of Justice To Inspect SPD, Picturing Our Past, Everyone's A Hypocrite US Dept. Of Justice To Investigate SPD Practices: The US Department of Justice will investigate the Seattle Police Department to determine whether officers have used unnecessary force. We'll talk to the ACLU, one of the groups calling for the investigation. Historic Images Uncover Our Past: Today, photos are ubiquitous. But that wasn't always the case. One hundred years ago, a photo–op was an event. Pictures were composed rather than snapped, which is part of what makes them so affe ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle On The Mayor, 'Aerotropolises: The Future Is Now,' Boehner In A Pickle How's The Mayor Doing? Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has a lower job performance rating than his predecessor Mayor Nickels had back in 2003. How do you rate Mayor Mike McGinn's job performance so far? 'Aerotropolises: The Future is Now' "Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next" author Greg Lindsay describes the new aerotropolises — cities built around airports. Boehner In A Pickle: Republican House Speaker John Boehner is in a pickle — either he negotiates a budg ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wading Through Wreckage In Japan Wading Through Wreckage: The earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor disaster in Japan has killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands homeless. The scale is unimaginable. Michael Mankin, an American teacher in Japan, tells us the story of driving through the devastation to look for his wife. In Tech World, David V. Goliath Injures Both Sides: [Podcast Not Available] The history of innovation is also a history of litigation. Today lawsuits between small and large tech companies are con ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sarah Vowell, Eminent Domain, And Stryker Brigade Allegations Eminent Domain In Wash.: State Attorney General Rob McKenna is backing a bill that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for economic development. But Seattle State Representative Jamie Pedersen says the proposed law fixes a problem that doesn't exist, and would make it harder for agencies like Sound Transit to get their work done. Sarah Vowell's 'Unfamiliar Fishes': Author and radio personality Sarah Vowell joins us to talk about her new book on the history of Hawaii, "Unfamil ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Japan Nuke Crisis Escalates, Tuberculosis Rates Jump, Pot Dispensaries Shut Down Nuclear Crisis At Fukushima Escalates: Japanese officials say a breach is suspected at the Fukushima nuclear plant today. Stephen Frantz has been monitoring the latest news from Japan. He's a nuclear physicist and certified health physicist at the Reed College Research Reactor in Portland, Oregon. He joins us to explain the situation. King Co. Concerned About TB Rates: The rate of tuberculosis has dropped in the United State, but KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports health officials in King County ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Can You Build A Better Boss? At Google they used to think the boss's job was to leave people alone. Now they're applying their data crunching expertise to figuring out what makes a good boss. What have you learned? What one thing could your boss do to make your job better? What one thing could you boss stop doing to make for a better workplace? We'll take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Union Spats: Nothing New Today unions are under attack and union membership in the US continues to decline. But during the Great Depression, coal miners banded together in central Washington to start a new, independent union. Walla Walla University Professor David Bullock joins us to tell their story. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stryker Soldier Pleads Guilty And Seattle Mayor's Police Poll Criticized Soldier Pleads Guilty: Army Specialist Jeremy Morlock has pleaded guilty to murdering three Afghan civilians. A defense witness says the responsibility is with Army leadership. We'll get an update on the trials of soldiers from the 5th Stryker Brigade at Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Mayor's Police Poll Criticized: Mayor McGinn wants to know what Seattleites think of the police, so he's working with the University of Washington Evans School to create an online poll. How valid are onli ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website To Buy Or Not To Buy? Developers anticipate a big growth in demand for new apartments. That could drive apartment prices up by 25 percent over the next few years. What will you do if your rent goes up sharply? Groan and pay it? Start looking for house? Move? We'll take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Our Brains Remember There's a lot to remember. Where your car keys went. Your coworker's last name. The capital of Libya. Journalist Joshua Foer's is here to help. He explores the art and science of memory in his new book "Moonwalking With Einstein." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Price Of Cutting Costs, The Statute Of Limitations And Rape, The Future's Too Bright, Beware: Phone Scam The Price Of Cutting Costs: State Senator Adam Kline wants to reduce prison terms. He doesn't think that will pose a threat to public safety. Mark Lindquist, the prosecuting attorney for Pierce County, disagrees and will join us to explain why. The Statute Of Limitations And Rape: There's a statute of limitations on child rape. Should there be? Northwest News Network correspondent Tom Banse explains why that question is being asked. The Future's Too Bright: Tacoma officials say they ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website School For Girls There's a preschool for girls opening in Santa Cruz called the Pink Academy. Their website proclaims it will be utterly devoid of boys. There's been a lot of discussion about separate schools for boys and girls, but preschools? What was your experience at single sex school? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Police Chief John Diaz It's been a rough first year for Seattle Police Chief John Diaz. There's a federal inquiry into the use of force against citizens, even as department released figures that show the number of times officers used force decreased significantly between 2006 and 2009. We'll hear from the 31 year veteran who worked his way up the ranks to lead the Seattle Police Department, and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nuclear Waste Lawsuit, Intiman's Fight For Its Life, And Booze Business Waste Not Want Not: Washington officials sue the Obama administration to keep working on the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Yucca mountain was intended to be the destination for radioactive waste from the Hanford Nuclear reservation until the Obama administration abandoned the plan. Correspondent Anna King has more. War Power: Some Republicans and Democrats in Congress say President Obama should not have dispatched US military forces against Libya without their consent. When can ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pay For Play Current state law prohibits paying surrogate mothers for bearing children. Should the law be changed — or is that uncomfortably close to buying babies? We'll take your calls and hear your thoughts. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Man Or Machine Can a computer trick you into thinking it's human? If it can, then what does it mean to be human? Poet, computer scientist and philosopher Brian Christian talks with Ross Reynolds about his new book on these questions. It's called "The Most Human Human: What Talking With Computers Teaches Us About What It Means To Be Alive." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website War Crimes Photos, AT&T Merger, Huskies Bad Timing Pictures Of War: A German newspaper published disturbing photos of US soldiers, currently on trial for war–crimes, posing with dead Afghan civilians. KUOW's Austin Jenkins has been covering the trial at Joint Base Lewis–McChord. He'll tell us what impact this will have on the case and the soldiers' defense. Hello Operator: AT & T is planning to buy T–Mobile USA for $39 billion, and the company also plans to pour another $8 billion into wireless broadband in rural a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead: Seattle This week we focus on Seattle — the upcoming education levy, fallout from the Seattle schools scandal and the sometimes contentious relationship between the mayor and City Council. Reporters Chris Grygiel of the SeattlePI.com and Lynn Thompson of The Seattle Times join us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Taking Care Of City Business Where's Seattle headed in 2011? Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess joins us to talk about education, transportation, policing and other pressing city business. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Gregoire On The Budget, WaMu Lawsuit, Remembering Alan Marlatt Governor Gregoire's New Budget Dilemma: State revenue projections show Washington government even deeper in the hole. The state is expected to bring in $5 billion less than it raises. We ask Governor Chris Gregoire about what her plans for the budget deficit. WaMu Under Federal Fire: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is suing top Washington Mutual Bank executives for focusing on short–term gains to increase their compensation. The execs say the FDIC was just as short-sighted. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Are You Hearing From Japan? Western Washington has many connections to Japan. What are you hearing from friends and family in Japan about the impact of the nuclear crisis and recovery from the massive tsunami a week ago today? We hear from those whose hearts are in Japan as it continues to suffer the consequences of those natural disasters. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Senator Joe Zarelli The new revenue projections show that the state is even deeper in the hole than previously thought. The deficit now stands at over $5 billion. Senator Joe Zarelli tells us his proposals for solving the budget problem. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Unlikely Alliance, Garfield High, Service Pets, And The Wash. State Budget An Unlikely Friendship: The push to legalize marijuana brings together a former federal prosecutor, the wife of the Prince of Pot and the US attorney who put him in jail. Austin Jenkins reports. Getting Into Garfield: Parents, desperate to enroll their kids in a good public school, are going to extreme lengths to get them into Garfield High School, which is famous for its music programs. But the parental zeal has led to a slew of unintended consequences — like overcrowding and fewe ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Where Should Sex Offenders Live State officials have denied a level three sex offender's request to live with his wife in Friday Harbor. How does the state decide where sex offenders can live? Where do they end up living? We'll hear from the Department of Corrections on their approval process and we'll talk to a longtime defense attorney for sex offenders. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is Nuclear Energy Still A Good Idea? With the threat of nuclear meltdown in Japan, should the federal government rethink the initiative to provide loan guarantees for new nuclear plants in the United States? We'll talk to reporter Dan Eggan of the Washington Post, and a nuclear physicist who runs the Reed College reactor in Portland, Oregon, Stephen Frantz. He updates us on Japan and answers our questions about nuclear policy here. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Transportation Department Talks Back and Gambling As Possible Solution To State Budget Crisis Transportation Department Talks Back: Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond responds to Mayor McGinn's call to shutdown the Alaskan Way Viaduct in light of the damage wrought by the Japanese earthquake. Cha-ching — Gambling Could Solve State Budget Woes: State lawmakers are desperately seeking ways to ease the multi–billion dollar budget gap. Correspondent Austin Jenkins learned mini–casino owners have an idea. They want the state to allow video slot machines. Now v ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website And the Tax Goes On The tax on restaurant meals and car rental is due to expire. It was created to pay for Safeco Field. But some want to continue and use the money for the arts, expanding the Washington State Convention Center and low–income housing. What do you think? Should the stadium taxes expire? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website R.I.P. Viaduct? Yesterday on KUOW, the Mayor said the ethical course of action for the safety of Seattle's drivers would be to tear down the Alaskan Way Viaduct by 2012, as planned. What do you think? Should the city take down the viaduct sooner, before we have a replacement? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Radiation Worries, Courthouse Embezzlement, And A Burdensome Housing Development Radiation Worries: Could a nuclear plant meltdown in Japan rain down radiation on the Northwest? We'll hear from Dr. Kathryn Higley, head of Oregon State University's Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health. She says that it's highly unlikely. Cooked Books In Washington's Courthouse: An embezzlement scheme targeting Washington Superior Court judges is just now coming to light. Austin Jenkins has the story. Who Knew What And When? The Seattle school superintendent may be ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Does Class Size Matter? Is reducing public school class size a cost effective way to improve education? Or is the money better spent elsewhere? We'll hear both sides and then what you have to say. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The Magnetic North' The survival of civilization hangs on what happens in the arctic. That's what Sara Wheeler thinks after traveling the collar of lands around the arctic circle. She'll tell us why and we'll discuss her new book, "The Magnetic North." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tax Advice From Sherrill Trovato, The Week Ahead, School Budget Scandal, And Port Wells What Would The Northwest Do? What would happen here if there was a major earthquake and tsunami? We'll look at our tsunami preparedness and the geology of Western Washington. In The Wake Of A Scandal: As the dust settles following the resignation of the Seattle School superintendent and her chief financial officer, the question remains — how did the district financial scandal happen. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher investigates how the program got started in the first place. The Week Ahea ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead Washington state lawmakers continue to grapple with a $4.6 billion gap for the coming two year budget cycle — that's the difference between what it costs the government to operate and how much money the state is forecast to bring in. Where are lawmakers going to find nearly $5 billion in cuts? Will the budget be written in a bipartisan way? Plus, what major bills are lawmakers talking about this week? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tax Advice From Sherrill Trovato Did you know that if your debt gets written off, that counts as income on your federal taxes? Tax expert Sherrill Trovato joins us to talk about changes in the law and answer your questions about filing your federal tax return. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Breaking Tsunami Coverage Live Report From Japan: A powerful tsunami triggered by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake has devastated the northern port city of Sendai in Japan. The quake is the largest ever recorded in Japan. In Tokyo, the airport is closed and ground transportation is at a standstill. We talk to a UW tsunami expert in Japan. How Prepared is Washington? Japan has an excellent infrastructure for responding to earthquakes and tsunamis. But how well would Washington state fare in a similar disaster? The Fin ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Union Funding, Spokane MLK Day Bomb, And Peter King Hearing Move To Deny Labor Union Funding: Republican Senators — and one Democrat, Randy Tom — have introduced legislation to deny funding to union contracts that the governor negotiated. From Olympia, Austin Jenkins reports. Arrest In Spokane Bombing Case: The FBI has arrested a suspect in the attempted backpack bombing in Spokane on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. American Muslims To Testify: Today in Washington D.C., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Peter King will h ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should Ex-Cons Be A Protected Class? It may become illegal to refuse to rent an apartment or hire an ex–convict in Seattle — just because that person is an ex–con. Should ex–con be a protected class like race, sex or disability? We'll hear from an advocate and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Workplace Gender Divide Over the last few decades, the feminist movement has transformed the American workplace. Still, fewer women choose jobs like computer science or engineering than men. On the other end of the spectrum, fewer men pursue careers in nursing or elementary education. Why does the gender divide persist in certain fields? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Defund Public Broadcasting? Part 1 National Public Radio's President Vivian Schiller resigned today following the release of a hidden camera video made by conservative activists. On the video NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller criticizes Republicans and the tea party, and says NPR might be better off without federal funding. Some lawmakers in Congress say this is one more reason why the federal government should stop funding public broadcasting. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Defund Public Broadcasting? Part 2 National Public Radio's President Vivian Schiller resigned today following the release of a hidden camera video made by conservative activists. On the video NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller criticizes Republicans and the tea party, and says NPR might be better off without federal funding. Some lawmakers in Congress say this is one more reason why the federal government should stop funding public broadcasting. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are America's Best Days In The Past? How do we avoid a national economic nosedive? Some think the government needs to start investing heavily in infrastructure and development projects. Others think the government is stretched too far already, and is hampering the innovation of the private sector. What do we do to keep America's best days ahead of us? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Locke To China, Bellingham Bag Ban, Fraternities To Hire Bartenders Locke To China: President Obama is expected to nominate Gary Locke to be the next US ambassador to China. Gary Locke is currently US secretary of commerce. What issues will he face as the US representative to China? Bellingham Bag Ban: Bellingham City Council Member Seth Fleetwood has introduced a city ordinance to ban plastic bags. The town would follow the lead of Edmonds — the only other city in Washington that has banned the bags. Fraternities To Hire Bartenders: University of Was ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Baking Democracy From Scratch In The Middle East Popular uprisings are challenging authoritarian regimes across the Middle East. What challenges lie ahead for building new democracies in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries in the region? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Waste In America Reporter Jonathan Bloom says America throws away nearly half its food. We talk to him about his new book "American Wasteland." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gas Prices, Amazon Privacy Suit, Marijuana Ads Ban, And School Worker Health Costs What Will Rising Gas Prices Mean? Gas prices in Washington state now average $3.60 a gallon — that's 34 cents higher than a month ago. Some experts worry that this is a threat to the nascent economic recovery. Others think it's not quite time worry. Amazon Class Action Suit: Plaintiffs have filed a class–action lawsuit against Amazon.com in the US District Court in Seattle. The lawsuit alleges the Seattle–based retailer collected their personal information and shared ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead How will deep budget cuts in Washington state affect your life in 2011 and beyond? Political consultants Christian Sinderman and Chris Vance join us to talk about the week ahead in Washington state. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Health Insurance Questions Answered When we saw a survey showing that nearly 50 percent of Americans don't realize the health insurance reform law is still law — more than one in five thought it had been repealed — we figured it was time to do another call–in on how the law will affect you. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield, And Saving Western Avenue Art Space Interim Seattle School District Superintendent Susan Enfield: It's interim school superintendent Susan Enfield's second day on the job following the abrupt firing of Maria Goodloe–Johnson. Enfield says her top priority is regaining public trust in the school district. We'll see how she intends to do that. Saving 619 Western: The 100 artists who use 619 Western Avenue for their studios got a reprieve this week. The plan was to tear down the building to make way for the new deep bore tu ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Future Of The Waterfront What should Seattle's waterfront look when the Alaskan Way viaduct is gone? Should we keep the viaduct as an elevated pedestrian park? Ross Reynolds leads a blue sky discussion with the co–chair of the Central Waterfront Committee, Maggie Walker. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wilbur Vs. Pelz State Republican Chair Kirby Wilbur and State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz explain what their parties stand for and look ahead to the 2012 election. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Superintendent Fired, Smokey Tacoma, And Inside Al Jazeera Superintendent Goodloe–Johnson Fired: Seattle Public Schools have a new interim superintendent. Susan Enfield has been Seattle's chief academic officer and before that a top school administrator in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. We look at her record with KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: Air pollution from wood smoke in Tacoma is seven times as bad as elsewhere in the region. We take a closer look. An Inside Look At Al Jazeera: You may recall the byl ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Higher Education Funding Cuts Washington lawmakers are again making big cuts to higher education as a part of their efforts to balance the state budget. How will it affect the state's public universities? What does the future of higher education look like? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana It's legal to use medical marijuana in this state, but if you fail a drug test you can be fired or denied a job. We find out how marijuana users and employers are dealing with this legal gray area. Have you ever run into this dilemma as someone who uses medical marijuana or as an employer? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Prison Stabbing, School Board, Soldier Suicide, Screening Tobacco Use, Coal Terminal Stabbing At State Penitentiary: An officer at the Washington State Penitentiary was stabbed by an inmate with a ball point pen. KUOW's Patricia Murphy has the story. Goodbye Goodloe–Johnson? Today is most likely Maria Goodloe–Johnson's last day as superintendent of Seattle Public Schools. The school board is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to fire her and her financial chief. Soldier Suicides, Pt. 2: In the second part of our series on soldier suicides, KUOW Corresp ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Biggest Drains On The Deficit The national debt is growing. Lawmakers and experts are asking the question — what do we do about the biggest expenses of our government; Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and defense spending? 63 percent of the 2010 federal budget went to these programs. Do we have to start making sacrifices? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Manning Up' With Kay Hymowitz Kay Hymowitz thinks guys in their 20s are living in a new kind of extended adolescence, and it's a problem for American society. Her book is "Manning Up: How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys." Call in with your questions and comments for social critic Kay Hymowitz at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Drug Testing Police For Steroids, AWOL Soldier Killed By Utah Police, Angel Investments Up Police On Steroids: Should drug tests for Seattle police look at steroid use in cases where officers are suspected of being overly aggressive? Some police departments do it. We'll take a closer look. AWOL Soldier Killed By Utah Police: In his continuing series of how the hard–hit 5th Stryker Brigade is adjusting to returning home, Austin Jenkins brings us the story of a soldier who died in a suicide by cop incident. Angel Investments Up: Angel investors in Puget Sound set a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should The Seattle Schools Superintendent Resign? The Seattle School Board is discussing whether to fire Superintendent Maria Goodloe–Johnson. A state audit identified up to $1.8 million that may have been misspent in a program that was intended to foster racial equity in construction hiring. Should Maria Goodloe–Johnson have known what was going on? Should she have prevented it? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The AgeLab MIT's AgeLab is developing new technologies to help older adults maintain their health, independence and quality of life. We talk to the director. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Questionable Expenses In School Audit, Medicaid Dental Benefits Cuts, Tunnel Referendum What Were the Seattle School District's 'Questionable Expenses?' The Washington State Auditor says a contracting program at the Seattle School District gave away $1.8 million to people and companies who didn't do any work the district needed. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has the story. Cuts to Medicaid Dental Care: In January, Washington state cut half a dozen health programs to help close a budget deficit. Among the services to go was dental care for adults on Medicaid. The program will c ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead Will the battles in Wisconsin spread here? How's the showdown over a possible federal government shutdown playing in Washington state? Plus, which bills are still alive in Olympia? Political gurus Chris Vance and Christian Sinderman will answer these questions and more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Cybercrime Undergound Max 'Vision' Butler was an FBI consultant and a star hacker. He executed a hostile takeover of the massive black market in stolen information. Kevin Poulsen explains how some people have made billions in for–profit hacking. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Boeing Contract, School Audit, Bike Bill Boeing Contract — How We Got Here: The Pentagon announced yesterday that Boeing has won the $35 billion contract to build 179 Air Force refueling tankers. The decision came as a surprise to many analysts, executives and politicians. So how did Boeing secure the deal? School Manager Gets Audit Blame: The Washington state auditor has blamed a former manager at Seattle Public Schools for the loss of up to $1.8 million. The state auditor says the manager formed a private company with ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Scarlet License Plate Washington state is considering implementing a law that requires first–time drunk drivers to replace their license plates with ones that identify them as DUI recipients. Is this a win for public safety? Or is it a violation of civil liberties? Call us with your thoughts at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond Washington faces a host of difficult transportation issues. Tolling starts on the 520 bridge this spring. There's a multi–million dollar shortfall in the budget to pay for state ferries. The gasoline tax is not bringing in enough money to pay for road maintenance. Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond joins us to talk about these issues and answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Snow Update, Doc Hastings Will Block Breaching Dams, And Slow Broadband Snow Update: Seattle only got a dusting last night, but other regions in the area saw heavier snowfall. What can we expect for tonight? Doc Hastings Would Block Breaching Snake River Dams: Environmentalists had high hopes that several dams on the Snake River may be breached to help restore salmon runs. But Washington's 4th District Representative Doc Hastings is the new chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, and he says that's off the table on his watch. Latino Population Skyro ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Are Teachers' Unions Good For Schools? Teachers' unions are under fire. Some states, like Wisconsin, hope to save money by restricting union influence on wages. Last fall, the documentary "Waiting for Superman" portrayed unions as obstructionists in the way of real education reform. But some studies suggest states with teachers' unions have higher test scores. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Where Should Seattle Cops Live? Mayor Mike McGinn said in his State of the City address it's hard to have a good local police force if the police aren't local. By one count, only one in five Seattle police officers live in the city. Should police live in the communities they patrol? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fraud Investigation In Seattle Schools, GET Reform Bill, And Home Sales Rise — Or Did They? Fraud In Seattle Schools? Seattle Public Schools are being investigated for financial fraud of up to $1.8 million. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher brings us the latest. GET Reform Bill: Senator Lisa Brown is proposing a bipartisan bill to reform the state's GET program that helps Washingtonians pay for college. We talk to the senator. Home Sales Rise — Or Did They? The number of homes sold nationally rose for the third month in a row this January according to the National Association of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debating The Seattle Schools Education Levy The City Council is trying to decide the cost of the Families and Education levy that voters will see this fall. Mayor Mike McGinn proposed an increase from $116 million in 2004 to $231 million — a 99 percent increase. Supporters say the funding is for important programs that increase graduation rates. Opponents say that the education system already has enough money — it's just not properly allocated. We talk to both sides. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The New Arab Journalism There's a lot of talk about the role of Twitter and Facebook in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. But what about Al Jazeera and other television news coverage? Author and Washington State University professor Lawrence Pintak joins us to talk about old and new media in the Middle East. His book is "The New Arab Journalist: Missions and Identity in a Time of Turmoil." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Yachters Killed By Somali Pirates, Closing Tax Loopholes To Fund Education, State Surveillance Bill Two Seattle Yachters Killed By Somali Pirates: Two well–loved Seattle yachters were killed by Somali pirates yesterday. Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay were taken hostage along with two other California yachters. They were shot while the US Military attempted to negotiate with the pirates. This is the first time US citizens have been killed in the ongoing string of Somali pirate attacks. We talk with Marie Capogna, a past commodore at the Seattle Singles Yacht Association where the coupl ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead Monday was the first cutoff date for this legislative session. What bills survived — and what didn't? Plus, how will budget cutting at the federal level affect Washington state? We take a look at those issues and more with political consultants Sandeep Kaushik and Chris Vance. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Never Say Die: The Myth And Marketing Of The New Old Age' Millions of baby boomers will be retiring in the coming years. Will boomers redefine old age the same way they transformed society in the 1960s? Susan Jacoby is skeptical. She joins us to talk about her new book "Never Say Die: The Myth And Marketing Of The New Old Age." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Zelizer On Carter, Edmunds On Roosevelt, And Russell On Renegades Renegade History With Thaddeus Russell: Historian Thaddeus Russell talks about the birth of the nation and take us on an imaginary walk through the streets of Philadelphia with future president John Adams. It was a wild place. We'll talk about the rogues, bounders and subversives who have shaped our past and present. Edmund Morris on 'Colonel Roosevelt:' Theodore Roosevelt was president, survived an assassin, wrote forty books, led cavalry into war and nearly died on an Amazon expediti ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Edmund Morris on 'Colonel Roosevelt' Theodore Roosevelt was president, survived an assassin, wrote forty books, led cavalry into war and nearly died on an Amazon expedition. Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Edmund Morris joined us to talk about Teddy's action–packed postpresidential years when he was the most famous man in the world. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rethinking Jimmy Carter Most historians think President Jimmy Carter was doomed to fail because he was a tone–deaf moralist who lacked political skills. Princeton historian Julian Zelizer says Carter's formidable strengths could have made his presidency more successful. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget Agreement, Stopping The ER Boom, And Black Powder Limits The State Budget Agreement: Republicans and Democrats in the Washington State Legislature have reached a budget proposal agreement. It takes money out of the Disability Lifeline and Basic Health Plan, but doesn't eliminate the programs entirely. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins tells us what's next. Stopping The ER Boom: Swedish Medical Center opened a new emergency room yesterday in Mill Creek, south of Everett. It's part of a construction boom for emergency rooms that aren't attach ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fireworks: Should They Be A Priority? The organizers of the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Lake Union still need to raise about $157,000 to fund the event. If the money isn't secured by March 1, fireworks may not light up Lake Union this year. Should we as a community come together to save the fireworks, or should we spend our money on other priorities? Give us a call at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hospital Interpreter Cuts And Arts In A Changing World Hospital Interpreter Cuts: In the US, Medicaid patients who don't speak English get help through an interpreter. But in Washington state that service could end soon. KUOW's Ruby de Luna spoke to a local patient who relies on the service and has this story. Culture Shock: The state is facing huge budget shortfalls, and arts funding is always one of the first priorities to be cut. For half a century, public sector investment has helped build Washington's cultural infrastructure. What happ ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Parking Wars Parking rates are going up in downtown Seattle. Supporters say it's a good source of revenue and that city policy should not subsidize drivers. Critics see the higher rates as an attack on businesses that are already struggling due the recession. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dambisa Moyo Economist and author Dambisa Moyo joins us to talk about her latest book, "How the West Was Lost: 50 Years of Economic Folly — And the Stark Choices Ahead." She traces the decline of Western economies over the last several decades, culminating in the great recession, and the rise of emerging markets in the developing world. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Birk Resignation, More Room In Chicken Cages, And Computer Beats Humans Birk Protests: Officer Ian Birk resigned yesterday after the Seattle Police Department and King County Prosecutor harshly criticized his fatal shooting of John T. Williams. Protesters were out on Seattle streets all day yesterday. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has their story. Cage Match: Two animal welfare groups have filed an initiative that would give egg–laying hens more space. We talk to the humane society and a Washington state egg producer on whether this extra room is necessary, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Charges In John T. Williams Shooting, And State Budget Reality Seattle Police Officer Won't Face Charges For Killing Wood Carver: Today King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg announced he won't file criminal charges against SPD Officer Ian Birk. Birk shot and killed First Nations wood carver John T. Williams in downtown Seattle last August. In January, an inquest jury determined Officer Birk didn't face an imminent threat from Williams. But Satterberg says under Washington state law, there isn't enough evidence to press charges. We'll learn more. Sta ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is It Ethical To Walk Away From A Mortgage? Foreclosures in King County jumped 55 percent from last year. More than a third of homeowners in the Seattle area now owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. If you're underwater on your mortgage is it ethical to walk away? Have you done it? Are you considering it? Tell us your mortgage story at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation". Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website An Optimist's Tour Of The Future Writer, businessman and comedian Mark Stevenson says the future is going to be awesome. For his new book, "An Optimist's Tour Of The Future," Stevenson talked to experts on everything from nanotechnology to climate change. But with the climate getting hotter, the world's population increasing and governments facing huge budget deficits, what's he so optimistic about? We'll find out. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Federal Budget And Puget Sound, Google Hijinx, And New Liquor Board Member Federal Budget Cuts To Puget Sound: The federal budget could end up drastically cutting funds for cleaning up Puget Sound. The House Republicans' plan includes a 60 percent cut in funding for the cleanup effort. What effect could these cuts have on the health of the Sound? Search Engine Hijinx: Companies use all kinds of strategies to be listed first in Google and other search engine results. But some techniques are considered shady, and Google is trying to stop them. New Liquor Control Boa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Transit Vs. Roads, And The Weight Of War: New Efforts To Treat Pain Transit Vs. Roads: Should the state help fund public transportation? A new report suggests investing in transit creates almost twice the jobs that highway infrastructure projects do. But some say the state should stick to developing roads and let local districts fund transit. The Weight Of War: New Efforts To Treat Pain In this second story in our series, we look at the issues related to treating musculoskeletal injuries, opiate abuse, and the strain musculoskeletal injuries are putting on ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should Students Vote In School Board Elections? A bill in the state Legislature would allow students as young as 14 to vote in school board elections. Two students from Garfield High School helped get the bill off the ground. We talk with them about their efforts. Do you think it's a good idea? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Iran Protests, Bremerton Tent City And Office Of Open Records Protests In Iran: Thousands of demonstrators are marching against the government of Iran today. Iranian blogs and twitter feeds report clashes between police and protestors in the streets of Tehran. We get analysis from Iran scholar and president of the National Iranian American Council Trita Parsi. Bremerton Tent City: A new tent city for the homeless opened in Bremerton last week. It can house up to 17 families with children. It's located inside a former municipal building on Pacific ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Jane McGonigal On Why Games Will Change The World, Part I Jane McGonigal says games can be used as a fun method to solve issues in the real world. She directs game research at the Institute for the Future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Jane McGonigal On Why Games Will Change The World, Part II Jane McGonigal says games can be used as a fun method to solve issues in the real world. Are you a game developer or avid gamer? If you have a question for Jane McGonigal, call us at 206.543.5869. Weight Of War Advanced weapons technologies, satellite communications and battle field simulators help soldiers and marines fight the enemy. But despite the military's efforts, soldier's gear loads are still weighing them down. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Update From Egypt Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to announce his resignation within hours. We'll have continuing coverage from the BBC World Service. Plus, Ross Reynolds talks to University of Washington Political Scientist Ellis Goldberg in Cairo and other guests, and he takes your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hospital Tax Breaks And Seattle Arts Commission Hospital Tax Breaks At Risk: Some hospitals are paying their executives so much that the hospitals may no longer qualify for one of their biggest tax breaks. John Ryan brings us this KUOW investigation. The Seattle Arts Commission: In the first story of our Culture Shock series, KUOW's Marcie Sillman looks at the history and evolution of the Arts Commission, an organization established in similarly harsh economic times 40 years ago. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website US Foreign Aid 101 The crisis in Egypt and the federal deficit is leading some in Congress to call for a reduction — or a total elimination — of US foreign aid. And according to several recent polls a majority of Americans say foreign aid is the only federal budget item they want to see cut. How effective is foreign aid for promoting US interests? How effective is it for helping people abroad? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Electric Car Fee A bill introduced in the state Senate may result in electric vehicle owners paying an annual flat $100 fee to pay for constructing and maintaining roads. The idea is that electric car drivers should pay for the impact their vehicles have on the roads. Electric vehicle advocates say it's not the right time to put a fee on electric cars. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Officer Memorial, Repeal Limits On Payday Loans, And Living Buildings Officer Memorial: This afternoon a memorial gets underway for the correctional officer murdered in at the Monroe State Prison. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports. Payday Loans: It took years to pass the law limiting pay day loans. Now a Washington lawmaker who originally supported the law wants to repeal part of it. Living Buildings: There's a building under construction on the campus of small private school in Seattle that's designed to be completely self sufficient — it will capture ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wilderness Safety And Survival Washington has a wide variety of amazing wild places to explore, from alpine areas to rain forests. But even a walk in the woods can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Have you ever gotten in trouble? We'll have a wilderness safety expert to explain the basics and answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Looks Last summer we spoke with Stanford Law professor Deborah Rhode, author of the book "The Beauty Bias: The Injustice of Appearance in Life and Law." She says looks are the last bastion of acceptable bigotry. How has the way you look affected your life? How has that changed over time? What do you see when you look in the mirror. Call right now with your thoughts: 206.221.3663. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Vote, Homeless Camp And Tax Breaks Tunnel Vote: The plan to build at tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct goes before the Seattle City Council again today. Councilmembers are expected to vote to approve construction agreements with the state. But the mayor promises a veto. Homeless Camp: Seattle city officials will update the community tonight about long–term plans for the roving homeless camp known as "Nickelsville." The city's plan to move the camp to city–owned property faces challenges. Ta ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fast Forward: Olympia State lawmakers have a big decisions this week, including whether or not they should reverse double–digit unemployment tax hikes due go into effect tomorrow. We'll look at the week ahead in Olympia. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Harlem Globetrotters The Harlem Globetrotters have entertained generations of people with their slapstick basketball comedy against the hapless Washington Generals. But some standard plays in contemporary basketball like the slam dunk and behind–the–back pass originated with them. We'll talk to current and former Globetrotters about life on the court. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website An Update From UW Prof. Ellis Goldberg In Cairo We talk to University of Washington political scientist Ellis Goldberg in Cairo. Are you Egyptian? Do you have contact with friends of family there? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Senate Budget Plan, Washington Illegal Immigration, And Funding Higher Ed. How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Budget? Leaders in the State Senate released a plan yesterday to deal with the $550 million budget gap in Washington's current budget. The plan they came up with only deals with about $394 million. Questions About Undocumented Immigration Numbers: A new report has triggered some dispute about the growth in Washington state's population of undocumented immigrants. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. A New Model For Higher Ed Funding? Washington's higher educati ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Beyond Egypt The uprising in Egypt could have profound effects on other Mideast countries and the region as a whole. We'll look at the ripple effect on nations like Yemen and Syria. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Pick A Dog When it's time to find your new best friend, you want to pick wisely. We'll discuss the best type of dog to fit your lifestyle with a man who knows his breeds. David Frei has co-hosted the Westminster Kennel Club dog show for over 20 years. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Egypt Violence, Saving To Win, And Military Experience In Civilian Life Update From Egypt: Egyptian protests turned violent today as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak clashed with anti–government protestors. University of Washington professor Ellis Goldberg updates us live from Cairo. Saving To Win: Conventional wisdom says gambling is bad and saving is good. But what if you put them together? A state lawmaker wants to bring savings lotteries to the state. Making Military Experience Count: Unemployment among ex–military personnel is rampa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teacher Experience Vs. Skill When schools lay off teachers, it's last hired, first fired. But should seniority be more important than skill when it comes to the tough choices? We'll hear about a proposed change in state practice. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Teacher What makes a great teacher? Who's the best teacher you ever had? What made them great? Call us and share your stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Eight Days Of Protest In Egypt University of Washington Political Science Professor Ellis Goldberg joins us live from Cairo. He was in Egypt researching how intellectuals in the Arab world think about citizenship when the uprising started. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Prison Guard Murdered, State Transportation Agenda, And A State Bank? Murdered In The Chapel: Governor Chris Gregoire is calling for a review of safety protocol at the Monroe Correctional Complex after a corrections officer was murdered there over the weekend. Jayme Biendl, 34 years old, was found strangled in the prison's chapel on Saturday night. The primary suspect has a long history of violence against women. Mary Margaret Haugen, Senate Transportation Committee Chair: Over the next few months, the chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee will ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fast Forward We take a look ahead at the news coming out of Olympia with political insiders Chris Vance and Sandeep Kaushik. Which social services will the state Senate cut when it releases a supplementary budget proposal later this week? We'll also talk about the fight over unemployment taxes and benefits, drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, and a new battle brewing over abortion. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Michael Sandel: What Is Justice? Does justice mean providing the most happiness to the most people? Ensuring individual freedom? Providing for the rights of everyone? Michael Sandel has been turning over these issues in his popular and influential class at Harvard University for years. He joins to talk about how we can figure out the right thing to do. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Homeless Count, Dental Clinics, And Hazardous Waste Overnight Homeless Count Is In: Last night volunteers went all over King County to do a one–night count of homeless people. Alison Eisinger is the executive director of the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness. She'll tell us what they found. Low Income Dental Clinics To Close: Two dental clinics serving low–income residents on the Olympic Peninsula are shutting their doors next month. Why? State budget cuts and higher Medicaid costs. Tim Hockett is the executive di ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Reforming Medical Marijuana Laws Medical marijuana patients, growers and police all have problems with vagueness in Washington law. But they don't all agree on how it should be fixed. We'll discuss possible reform to Washington's medical marijuana laws. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Urban Landscapes John Charles Olmsted struggled to transform Pacific Northwest urban landscapes in the early 20th century. We'll talk Seattle author Joan Hockaday about the role Olmsted played in designing the parks and boulevards of our city. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Marijuana Legalization, Foreclosure Rules, And Killing Counties Marijuana Activists Try Again: A citizen's group tried and failed last year to get a marijuana reform proposal onto the ballot. Now they're trying again, but they hope the state beats them to it. Talking Before Foreclosing: Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would require banks to have face–to–face meetings with homeowners before foreclosing. 'Tis Better To Give Than Receive? A measure in front of the Washington's House would let the state reorganize counties to ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hunter And Alexander On The State Budget Governor Gregoire and lawmakers in Olympia are struggling with a projected $4.6 billion budget gap. We'll talk to two state reps on the House Ways and Means Committee about how they're approaching the problem. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Would You Balance The Budget? The state budget is $4.6 billion out of balance. How would you fix the mess? Use the League of Education Voters' budget simulation tool, and tell us what you think of it. Could you balance the budget? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sheriff Lawsuit Settled, Pot Legalization, And Tax Loopholes King County Sheriff's Office Settles: King County settled a lawsuit today with the family of a man severely injured by a sheriff's deputy. Christopher Harris was tackled by a deputy in 2009 and his head smashed into a concrete wall. Now he's brain damaged and confined to bed. Legalize It? Some Washington Democrats have introduced a bill to regulate, tax and sell pot in state liquor stores. We'll talk to a co–sponsor of the legislation. Tax Loopholes And The Unbalanced Budget: Th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Alone Together' MIT Psychologist Sherry Turkle has been studying our relationship to technology since 1984. In her latest book, she says we expect more from technology and less from each other. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 2011 State Of The Union President Obama delivered his State of the Union address last night. He called for both investments in innovation and a non–military spending freeze. What did you think of his ideas? We take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Education Vs. Social Services In The State Budget, And Student Sex Offenders Education Versus Social Services: Washington lawmakers face stark choices when it comes to the budget. Those were on display Monday as the Washington House voted on a cost–cutting bill. Democrats and Republicans split over what to cut next: education or social services. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins explains the philosophical divide and joins us for a legislative update. Student Sex Offenders: Last year an 18–year–old, level two sex offender assaulted a developm ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your State Of The Union President Obama's State of the Union address is tonight. Senior presidential adviser David Axelrod previews the speech. What would you like the president to say? Here's our challenge to you: Give your own State of the Union address in a minute or less (we'll provide a soundtrack). Republicans and Democrats are sitting together rather than across the aisle. Which member of Congress would you like sit with? Maria Cantwell? Michelle Bachman? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation.&q ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Michelle Alexander: 'The New Jim Crow' An astoundingly high percentage of African Americans are in jail or on probation. Legal scholar and civil rights lawyer Michelle Alexander says this is because the US criminal justice system functions as a system of racial control. She explores these themes in her new book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Undocumented Immigrants, School Bus Cutbacks, And Public Universities No Papers, No License: Washington is one of the last states in the nation that lets undocumented immigrants get a driver's license. Now some Washington lawmakers say it's time to get tough. They believe immigrants from other states are exploiting Washington's looser standards for getting a driver's license. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. Immigration Raid In Ellensburg: A roundup of undocumented workers in Ellensburg leaves their kids without parents. Twenty–seven Me ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead Politicos Chris Vance and Christian Sinderman discuss the week ahead in Washington state and the other Washington. What does President Barack Obama need to say in the State of the Union? Ex–talk–radio host Kirby Wilbur just beat Luke Esser as head of the State GOP. Where's the state Republican Party headed in 2011? Plus, what's the latest on state higher education funding during the continuing budget crisis? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The 4 Percent Universe' Only 4 percent of the universe contains the matter we understand. Cosmologists call the rest dark matter and dark energy. Science writer Richard Panek explains. Got questions? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Marijuana, Private Liquor Sales, And The John T. Williams Inquest Clearing The Air For Medical Marijuana: Since Washington passed laws allowing medical marijuana, patients and the clinics that provide the pot have been in legal limbo. State Senator Jeanne Kohl–Welles has a measure she thinks will clear that up. She joins us to explain how. Answers From The Williams Inquest Jury: KUOW's Amy Radil reports on the findings of an inquest jury into the police shooting of Native American wood carver John T. Williams. Privatizing Liquor Sales: Voters ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Amy Chua: 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,' Part One Yale law professor Amy Chua ignited a huge debate about parenting and cultural stereotypes with her recent essay "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior." She wrote that she never let her kids choose their own extracurricular activities, get any grade less than an A, or play any instruments other than piano or violin. What do you think of the tiger mother? What of the "Chinese Mother" — is it a simple stereotype or connected to your real experience? How well has strict p ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Questions For Amy Chua: 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother' Yale law professor Amy Chua ignited a huge debate about parenting and cultural stereotypes with her recent essay 'Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior.' She wrote that she never let her kids choose their own extracurricular activities, get any grade less than an A, or play any instruments other than piano or violin. What do you think of the tiger mother? What of the "Chinese Mother" — is it a simple stereotype or connected to your real experience? How well has strict parenting w ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Inquest Ruling, Body Cameras, And 'Green Power' Inquest Ruling: Six jurors continue deliberating today over whether a Seattle cop had the right to use deadly force when he shot and killed homeless woodcarver John T. Williams last August. They're expected to release their decisions during the noon hour. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has been covering the hearing and she keeps us updated. Body Cameras: Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell wants Seattle police officers to wear body cameras. He joins us to explain why they make more sense th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teaching Philosophy To Kids How can kids understand and use philosophy? Jana Mohr–Lane founded the Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children. She joins us to explain. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Changing The Filibuster? Filibuster reform is on the table when US senators return next Tuesday. But what is the filibuster exactly? How does it work in 2011? And why do a number of senators believe a tradition that dates back to the early Republic needs to be reformed? We'll hear a debate on filibuster reform and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website ACLU Vs Metro, Protecting Homeless Against Hate, And Breaking Up DSHS ACLU Vs Metro: The ACLU of Washington is suing King County over its decision to cancel a controversial ad campaign that was going to appear on the side of Metro buses. The ads showed images of children in Gaza looking at bombed–out buildings next to the words, "Israeli War Crimes — Your Tax Dollars at Work." We ask the ACLU why it thinks it has a case. Protecting The Homeless Against Hate: Seattle State Senator Scott White is proposing legislation that aims to protect homel ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Izzeldin Abuelaish: The Gaza Doctor He's become known as the Gaza Doctor. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish had been crossing the lines to treat Israelis and Palestinians. But on January 16, 2009, Israeli shells hit his home and killed three of his daughters and a niece. Rather than becoming embittered, Abuelaish called for a new dialogue for peace. We talk to him about his work. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Health Care Reform Repeal The US House votes today on a Republican effort to repeal President Obama's health care reform measure. We'll talk with a health care expert about what this could mean for Washington state, and we take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Federal Building Tunnel, Three Strikes Law, Limit Inmates To Three Lawsuits The Tunnel And The Federal Building: The tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way viaduct may have hit a snag. Washington's Department of Transportation plans to route the tunnel underneath the federal building in downtown Seattle. But the federal government is concerned the state's plans may damage the building. Three Strikes Prison Reform: State Senator Adam Kline wants to change Washington's three–strikes law. Currently anyone convicted of three felonies is sentenced to life in prison wi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Week Ahead With the state budget nearly $5 billion out of whack, what tough decisions do lawmakers in Olympia face this week? Political consultants Christian Sinderman and Chris Vance give us the low down. Are you headed to Olympia this week? What news will you be following, or creating? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Repeal Business Tax Breaks? Should business tax breaks be repealed to help the ailing state budget? Or do these tax breaks more than pay for themselves? Social service providers want to 'close corporate loopholes' to save services for the destitute and disabled. What are these tax breaks? We'll hear from a state representative and the president of the Washington Roundtable. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Race And Incarceration: A Special Rebroadcast African–Americans are seven times more likely to be in prison or jail than whites, and one in eight African–American men who drop out of high school end up in prison or jail. Why? We'll talk to the author of a new study that looks at incarceration rates and their link to social inequality, and hear from Washington state's corrections secretary. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Not A Genuine Black Man: A Special Rebroadcast In 1971, San Leandro, California was called one of the most racist suburbs in America. Brian Copeland grew up there. He talks about the experiences in a solo show he's performing in Seattle this weekend called "Not A Genuine Black Man." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Minority Report: A Special Rebroadcast University of Washington graduate Lull Mengesha wrote "The Only Black Student," about his five years attending the state's largest university. It's part practical handbook, part social commentary. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Health Layoffs, PAC Crackdown, Teen Prostitution, And Environmental Priorities Seattle–King County Health Layoffs: Seattle–King County Public Health is laying off 123 employees. Most of them are nurses and health workers who help low income pregnant women. KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports. Political Action Committee Crackdown: Washington lawmakers consider a crackdown on PACs, political action committees, because of the Moxie Media case. From Olympia, Austin Jenkins reports. Child Prostitution Increasing: Many consider Portland, Oregon, one of the nation's ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Happiest Place On Earth Eric Weiner traveled the world looking for the world's happiest places. He tells us what he found. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Happiness Project We usually measure well–being by economic indicators. But money is an imperfect measure of quality of life. Nations like Bhutan and cities like Vancouver have developed happiness indexes. The group Sustainable Seattle is trying to do it here. How do you measure the happiness of a city? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Anti-Tunnel Initiative, Police Shooting Inquest, And ACLU Vs. Anti-Gang Bill How To Stop A Deep–Bore Tunnel: A new campaign to stop Seattle's deep–bore tunnel project kicked off last night. We'll talk to the organizer behind the effort to get Initiative 102 on the ballot. John T. Williams Inquest, Day 4: Witnesses to the shooting of John T. Williams by Seattle Police Officer Ian Birk take the stand today. It's day four of the hearing that will determine whether Birk's fatal use of force was necessary. Williams was a homeless wood carver who was holding ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Public Employees And The Budget, And Developers, Loopholes And Sprawl Public Employees And The Budget: A new public radio survey finds people across the Northwest aren't feeling very positive toward public employee unions. We'll find out why. Plus, we'll hear two sides of the debate over whether Washington state employees should be sacrificing more of their paychecks and benefits as the government wrangles with a multi–billion dollar budget shortfall. Developers, Loopholes And Sprawl: An investigative report shows developers skirting land management ru ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wikileaks And Diplomacy The latest dump of material from Wikileaks opened a new window onto how American diplomacy works. Our guest Richard H. Solomon will talk about Wikileaks and his latest book "American Negotiating Behavior: Wheeler–Dealers, Legal Eagles, Bullies, and Preachers." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website John T. Williams Inquest, Red Light Cameras, And Blood Tests For DUIs? John T. Williams Inquest, Day 3: Seattle Police Officer Ian Birk says John T. Williams was holding a wood carving knife "in sort of a confrontational posture" in the seconds before he shot and killed him. Birk spoke publically for the first time yesterday when he testified at the inquest into William's death. KUOW's Patricia Murphy is at the King County Courthouse. Red Light Camera Legislation: Lawmakers are also talking about red light cameras this session. One proposed bill w ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Getting Published Have you ever wanted to get a book published? Jennifer Worick and Kerry Colburn have. They've also worked on the publishing industry. They join us with advice. We'll also hear about alternative routes to getting your book out there from Nathan Everett of Long Tale Press where they give readers a chance to weigh in on what gets published. Working on a book? Want to know all about agents, publishers and indie publishing? Give us a call with your stories and questions: 206.543.5869 or email em ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Getting Published, Continued Have you ever wanted to get a book published? A continuation of our discussion on publishing. Give us a call with your stories and questions: 206.543.5869 or email email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website John T. Williams Inquest, Rental Housing Inspection, And Ferries John T. Williams Inquest, Day Two: The inquest continues into the police shooting of Native American wood carver John T. Williams. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports from the courthouse. Rental Housing Inspections In Seattle? Does Seattle do enough to stop slumlords? The city plans to start inspecting rental housing. But how the program will work and which housing gets inspected is up in the air. We'll hear from a University of Washington student on the committee charged with working out the d ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washingtonians Think Reducing Fraud Will Fix The Budget A new Elway poll shows 71 percent of citizens believe the Washington's budget shortfall could be fixed if waste and fraud were eliminated. Do you think Washington state government has $4.6 billion of waste and fraud? What wasteful programs do you think could be eliminated? What other budget solutions do you propose? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Buy A Car And Not Get Ripped Off Ford says with business picking up they plan to hire 7,000 new workers in the US by the end of next year. Are you thinking about buying or selling a car in 2011? What are your strategies for not getting ripped off? Buying a car can be one of the biggest investments you'll make. Ashley Knapp, the Auto Adviser, has advice for making the right choice and getting the best price. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website John T. Williams Inquest, And Your Take On The State Budget Police Inquest: This morning an inquest into the Seattle police officer's fatal shooting of a Native American woodcarver got underway at the King County Courthouse. Protestors gathered at the courthouse, some wearing headbands saying "4 seconds to death." It's a reference to the time between when police officer Ian Birk first ordered John T. Williams to drop a knife and the fatal shots. KUOW's Patricia Murphy is at the courthouse. Budget Survey: Today the legislative session opens ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Negotiate You negotiate every day, with your kids about getting out of bed, with clients and co–workers at work, and with friends on where to go to dinner. The Wharton School's Stuart Diamond offers advice on how to be a better negotiator. Do you have questions or tips to share? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Giffords Shooting In Tucson Did the climate of political rhetoric help lead to the assassination attempt on Arizona Representative Gabby Giffords and the deaths of six others? Was it the act of a single mentally unstable person? Could it be both? Join the conversation at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State AG Wants Personal Injury Lawsuit Limits, University Of Washington Innovator State Wants Limits On Personal Injury Lawsuits: In the current budget year, the state of Washington is on track to pay $60 million to settle damage and personal injury lawsuits filed against the state. Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna wants new laws to limit what the state would have to pay. We'll hear from him and find out what trial lawyers think about the plan. University Of Washington Innovator Shwetak Patel: Seattle Business Magazine recently named a UW computer science profe ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Cuts, Divorce And Housing, Ferry Plan, And Anti-Bullying Program State Budget Cuts For Prisons: Governor Gregoire's cuts to the Department of Corrections will close McNeil Island Corrections Center, reduce programs for prisoners and cut staffing at prisons. How will these cuts affect prison guards? State Budget Cuts For Pediatric Care: One of the state services facing sharp budget cutbacks is the Pediatric Interim Care in Kent. They care for babies exposed to drugs like heroin and methamphetamine in utero. Divorce In A Bad Housing Market: It's hard ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your List Of Banished Words Every year for the last 36 years, Lake Superior State University has published a list of banished words that people have come to despise due to "mis–use, over–use or general uselessness." This year's words include viral, epic, fail, and man up. What words would you like to see banished? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor Proposes Sweeping Changes To Education And Ferry Systems Gregoire's Big Plans: Governor Chris Gregoire introduced sweeping new proposals for the state ferry system and a reorganization of the state education system this week. She joins us to talk about her plans. Superintendent Reacts To Governor's Proposals: Under Gregoire's new education proposal, Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn would report to a secretary of education appointed by the governor. Dorn doesn't like this plan, and he joins us to explain why. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Road Rules Possible For Cars And Bikes A state legislator is proposing tough new road rules for cars and bikes. Seattle state Representative Jamie Pedersen's bill would require cars going over 35 miles an hour to stay at least 5 feet away from cyclists. For cars going less than 35 mph, that distance would drop to 3 feet. The law also goes after dangerous cyclists. For example, people on bikes would be required to ride as close to the side of the road as possible. Jamie Pedersen joins us and we take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sin Taxes? In this current budget crisis, should Washington state encourage more adult businesses like card rooms and liquor stores to generate more money? Bar owner and activist Dave Meinert says yes. Liberal blogger David Goldstein calls these stupid budget tricks. As long as we're at it, how about legalizing and taxing marijuana? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lawmaker Jams, Compensation Funds, And 520 Bridge Tolls Washington Lawmakers Sing The Blues: There's a tradition in Olympia: Each year Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown — a music buff — chooses a theme song for the upcoming session. This year, the Spokane Democrat is nursing a case of the budget blues. Compensation Fund: Attorney General Rob McKenna says Washington pays way too much to settle lawsuits against the state. He wants new laws to limit what the state would be liable for. One state lawmaker has come up with an entirely d ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Immigration Reform. Now What? Plans for comprehensive immigration reform died in Washington, DC, last year. Lawmakers failed to pass the DREAM Act, which would have given a path to citizenship for some students who graduate from US schools. Meanwhile, the latest census shows immigrants are fueling America's population growth — and Washington state's. With chances for reform slim on the national level, what are immigration advocates working on locally? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website UW Interim President Phyllis Wise Governor Chris Gregoire's education task force just proposed big changes for colleges and universities, including the University of Washington. If the UW had the authority to raise tuition, would it? By how much? And how is the UW going to increase graduation rates? Interim UW President Phyllis Wise joins us to talk about the future of higher education in Washington state and to take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Schools May Set Tuition, Domestic Violence Murders, And Failing Banks Should State Schools Set OwnTuition? Yesterday a task force appointed by Governor Gregoire proposed allowing state colleges and universities to set their own tuition levels, as long as they're in line with what peer institutions in other states charge. The proposal would also set up a billion–dollar fund to provide subsidies for low– and middle–income students. We'll hear from a task–force member. Domestic Violence Murders: Domestic violence has claimed the lives of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Are State Health Care Cuts Affecting You? How are Washington state's budget cuts to health care and human services affecting you? We'll hear from members of our Public Insight Network and you. Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should State Schools Set Own Tuition? Monday Governor Gregoire's Higher Education Task Force proposed allowing state colleges and universities to set their own tuition levels, as long as they're in line with what peer institutions in other states charge. The proposal would also set up a billion–dollar fund to provide subsidies for low– and middle–income students. Do you think this is a good idea? Call us at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Higher Education Funding, Renewable Energy Mandate, And Floods On Farms Higher Education Funding: Washington state's higher education institutions have taken double–digit budget cuts. Today a governor's task force recommends how to get higher–education funding on an even keel. We get a report from KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher. Renewable Energy Mandate: Washington state has laws requiring an increasing percentage of energy come from renewable sources. Can the state meet those guidelines? Floods on Farms: Snoqualmie Valley farmers blame the Army Corps of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Speech Impediments The recent film "The King's Speech" is about how a speech impediment incapacitated a king. But speech problems afflict many non–kings. We'll hear from a speech pathologist. And we'd love to hear your story. Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Snoring It's an intimate problem that happens in the bedroom. It's snoring, of course. University of Washington Otolaryngology expert Dr. Mark Whipple explains why we snore and what we can do to stop it. Do you snore? Does your partner? Have you kicked the habit? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Home Health Care Lawsuit, Minimum Wage Increase, And Health Care Reform Home Health Care Patients Sue Over Budget Cuts: Home health care patients and workers are suing Washington state. They say Governor Gregoire's emergency budget cuts, scheduled to go into effect January 1, will force disabled and elderly people who live at home to move into nursing homes and hospitals. The plaintiffs are asking for a temporary restraining order to stop the cuts from going into effect. They argue their case in Seattle's US District Court today. State Minimum Wage Increase Su ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Football Finales, And The Top-10 Reasons I Hate Top-10 Lists Football Finales: The University of Washington Huskies play their last game of the year against Nebraska at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego tonight. And Sunday the Seahawks could become the team with the worst record ever to make it to the playoffs. The Top–10 Reasons I Hate Top–10 Lists: It's the end of the year and that means only one thing — end of the year top–10 lists. From the top–10 movies of the year, to the top barnyards in which to shave sheep and knit ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Year In Review You've seen what the talking heads think were the top stories of the year. What was the top story in your year. Give us your year in review in a minute or less — extra credit for haikus. Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lawsuit Challenges Minimum Wage Increase, And Shooting Sea Lions Minimum Wage Goes Up, Business Groups Sue: Starting January 1, Washington's minimum wage will bump up 12 cents to $8.67 an hour. The increase comes as a result of a voter initiative tying the state's minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index. But a coalition including the Washington Farm Bureau, the Washington Restaurant Association and the Washington Retail Association have sued to stop the increase. A judge in Kittitas County is set to hear arguments today. Shooting Salmon–Eating ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's Nightlife Plan Mayor Mike McGinn proposes allowing Seattle bars to stay open later or even all night. He says a city survey shows 80 percent think extending bar hours will make the city safer. But does the online survey accurately reflect public opinion? What do you think? Should Seattle's bars stay open past 2:00 a.m.? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rick Springfield You might know pop star Rick Springfield for his durable hit "Jessie's Girl" or his role as Dr. Noah Drake on "General Hospital." But did you know he played in a band that toured Vietnam during the height of the war? Or that he's Australian? It's all revealed. Rick Springfield also talks about his lifelong struggle with depression and his ongoing role as a reprobate pop star on Showtime's "Californication." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Small Town Fire, Campaign Finance Reform, And Privatizing State Government Small Town Fire: A three–alarm fire early Christmas morning destroyed a century old building in downtown Toledo, nearly wiping out an entire city block. Toledo is a city of about 700, located midway between Centralia and Kelso off I–5. Firefighters still don't know what set the former Masonic Lodge ablaze, but the fire damaged an antique store, a bookstore, a hardware store and a tiny historic museum. Fortunately firefighters were able to run in, salvage papers, photos and audio ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Most Important And Under-Covered Stories Of 2010 What were the major stories that were largely overlooked by the news media in 2010? What does censorship mean in the age of blogs and social media? We'll hear from reporters, media watchdogs and policy experts about what stories should have gotten more coverage in 2010. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Be More Creative Harvard psychologist Shelly Carson says we can learn how to be more creative. She doesn't mean just the arts, but how we can be more creative in business, parenting and anything we do. She joins us to explain how to better use the mindsets you already utilize to create and how to learn new mindsets. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Downtown Toledo, Wash. Burns, Bargains, And Closing Tax Loopholes For Education Closing Tax Loopholes For Education: Governor Gregoire has proposed cutting almost $450 million from state colleges and universities, eliminating funds to reduce elementary school class sizes and cutting funding for 3–year–olds in preschool. Those are just some of the cuts to education she's proposed to balance the state's budget. Now some state legislators want to close tax loopholes that benefit businesses in order to raise money for education. Bargain On Aisle Seven: A Belle ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 2010 State Of Seattle: How Did The Politicians Do? How did Seattle city officials do in 2010? Josh Feit and Erica Barnett from PubliCola disagree. Ross Reynolds talks with them and you. How have decisions made by the mayor and the City Council affected you? Call in to share your year–in–review insights, snappy second–guessing and hilarious hindsight. Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Older Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship is associated with the young and hungry — think Mark Zuckerberg. But a new survey shows the old and crafty are playing a growing role in building new businesses. New businesses are key to creating jobs, and young people in their 20s and 30s create the most new businesses in America. But people over 45 are catching up. Are you an older entrepreneur? Give us a call at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Deciding Teacher Layoffs, And Seattle's Librarian Heads To D.C. Study Finds Emphasis On Teacher Seniority Hurts Achievement: According to a new study of Washington schools, deciding layoffs solely on which teachers have the least seniority hurts student achievement. The study comes out of the University of Washington's Center for Education Data and Research. Teachers' unions disagree with the results. We'll hear from both sides. Seattle's Chief Librarian Headed To Washington D.C.: Susan Hildreth is Seattle's City Librarian. Today the United States Sena ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Holiday Songs Part I Our special guests today share their favorite holiday songs. You'll hear from King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, KEXP DJ Quilty3000, The Stranger's David Schmader, KUOW's Amanda Wilde and more. What is your favorite holiday song? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Bonus points for singing a few lines for us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Holiday Songs Part II Our special guests today share their favorite holiday songs. You'll hear from King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, KEXP DJ Quilty3000, The Stranger's David Schmader, KUOW's Amanda Wilde and more. What is your favorite holiday song? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Bonus points for singing a few lines for us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Pays Millions In Lawsuits, Low Power Radio, And University of Wash. Students Win Prize Washington Lawsuit Payouts Spiking As State Budget Crumbles: The amount of money the state of Washington pays out in lawsuits has doubled in the last four years to more than $50 million. This spike in legal costs comes as Washington reduces funding for education, health care and other state services. But as Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins found out, cutting Washington's legal bills is no easy task. Thousands Of New Radio Stations: Last weekend Congress passed a law that would allow ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Temporary Workers Companies are hiring temporary workers in greater and greater numbers. What does this mean for people looking for employment? Will temp workers become a more entrenched part of the workforce? If you're a hiring manager or looking for work, what's your experience been? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Instant Gratification The holiday season offers a lot of temptations and opportunities for instant gratification, whether it's that third slice of pumpkin pie that's just sitting there staring at you. Or the free, two–day shipping for a new e–reader and everything else you need for a $79 annual membership fee. Today we'll hear a "Radiolab" story about the science of self–control and we want to hear from you. How do you handle the seasonal urge to splurge and gorge? Call 206.543.5869 o ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Congressional Seat For Washington, Wolf Plan, And Hidmo Closes Washington Gets A Tenth Congressional Seat: Washington state gained a seat in Congress today according to US Census results. The state's population grew 14.1 percent during the last decade. Where's the tenth seat going to go? Which political party will benefit? What will it mean for the state's clout in the other Washington? We'll ask Todd Donovan, professor of political science at Western Washington University. Controversy Over Wolf Translocation Plan: The proposed wolf management plan fo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Less Polite Drivers? Washington drivers are less polite in 2010 than they were in 2009, according to a new poll from PEMCO Insurance. Today we talk to a clinical psychologist who studies aggressive behavior. What's your experience as a driver, passenger or pedestrian in Seattle? Do you think Seattle drivers are more aggressive this year than before? Have you been feeling more road rage lately? Give us a call: 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Political Ads On Metro Buses Monday King County Executive Dow Constantine ordered Metro Transit to review its ad policy for buses. That's because of a controversy started by one advertisement. It says "Israeli War Crimes–Your Tax Dollars At Work" and it's supposed to appear on Metro buses starting December 27. King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer says the ad could incite violence. We'll hear from the person who bought the ad, from the Jewish Federation and we want to hear from you. Metro has ru ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Construction Job Losses, Hospital High Rollers, And ATM Fees For Welfare Cash Washington State Loses Construction Jobs: Washington state lost more jobs in construction than any other state last month. That's according to statistics from the United States Department of Labor. We'll learn more. Hospital High Rollers: Nineteen people working for charities in the Puget Sound region earned more than $1 million in 2008. The nonprofit groups paid the seven–figure sums even as Washington state fell into its worst recession in decades. The charities are the region's no ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Labels There's a new political movement called No Labels. The group's slogan is: "Not Left. Not Right. Forward." No Labels says partisanship gets in the way of solving major national problems. Today we'll talk to one of the founders of the No Labels movement and we want to hear from you. Is partisanship the problem? What's your experience in politics? What do you think of the No Labels movement? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite Bad Book Is there a book you'd be embarrassed to be caught reading but you can't put down? Maybe it's a cheesy romance novel, pulp fiction or pretty much anything about vampires. We'll talk to some prominent Seattle literary figures and we want to hear from you. What's your guilty, or not–so–guilty pleasure book for 2010? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Exporting Coal And Police Training Coal Train For Longview: A new port facility proposed for Longview would export coal to China. Cowlitz County officials see it as a good move locally, but environmentalists say the export site would threaten public health and undermine state efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. We'll hear from both sides. Seattle Police Department Plans Use Of Shooting Simulator: Seattle police are re–examinining how they train officers to use guns in the wake of the controversial shooting of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Would The Governor's Budget Affect Washingtonians? Governor Gregoire says her proposed budget will hurt the state's most vulnerable populations. We'll hear about the impact on health, mental health care, parks, museums and more. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Techno-fogies? "Marketplace Tech Report" host John Moe joins us to talk about how the tech we use dates us. Does your email address make you look old? Is it a social media faux paux to still be on Friendster? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Congress Tax Vote, State Budget Cuts, And Struggling Schools Larsen Votes 'Yes' On Tax Plan: Lawmakers in Washington D.C. vote today on the controversial tax bill reached between President Obama and GOP leadership. It would keep tax cuts for the rich and extend benefits for the unemployed. Many Democrats are outraged at the compromise, but Washington state's Rick Larsen plans to hold his nose and vote yes. He joins us to tell us why. Governor's Budget In Lawmakers' Hands: Governor Gregoire's proposed budget cuts of $4 billion worth of programs. She ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website May I Be Excused? My Brain Is Full There's a glut of information out there. How do we make sense of it all, and deal with information overload? Veteran journalist Tom Rosenstiel co–wrote a new book on the subject called "Blur." He joins us with advice. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Learning Styles: Fact Or Fiction? We hear a lot about different learning styles — how some people learn verbally and other people absorb information through action. But psychologist Daniel Willingham says our focus on learning styles may be overblown. He says research shows children are more alike than different when it comes to how they take in information. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Center's Future, State Worker Pay, Census Numbers, And Day Labor Mayor Announces Seattle Center Plan: Mayor Mike McGinn holds a press conference this morning to announce what he thinks the city should do with the space beneath the Space Needle. We'll find out what he says and how people are reacting. Consolidating Agencies And Cutting Pay: Governor Chris Gregoire wants to consolidate state agencies and cut pay for state workers. These are two ways she's looking to fill a $4.6 billion budget gap in the state's general fund. Who Are We? A new look at ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Gregoire Battles The Budget Gap Governor Christine Gregoire unveils her proposal for the 2011–2013 budget cycle this morning. She and lawmakers are facing a $4.6 billion gap between what the state is expected to bring in and what it's expected to spend. We'll get the details on her plan and find out how people are reacting to her ideas. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Person Of The Year Time Magazine has named Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as its Person of the Year. What do you think of that choice? Who would you choose to be 2010's person of the year? We'll take your calls and emails. No, you can't choose yourself. But feel free to nominate Ross Reynolds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Contractor's Fraud Settlements, E-Cigarettes Ban, And Pension Blues Alaskan Way Tunnel Contractor's Troubles: One of companies that won the state contract to build that deep–bore tunnel under Seattle has been hit by lawsuits for projects in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Venezuela. Tutor–Perini has paid out millions for cost overruns, fraud and racketeering. Washington state transportation officials say they were unaware of the lawsuits, but say the state's contract protects us from similar troubles. E–Cigarette Ban? King County wants to ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hola! Bonjour! Sawubona! Do you speak more than one language? How did you learn, and how has knowing more than one language affected you? What's the state of foreign language training in the United States today? Tell us about your experience. Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Don't Ask, Don't Tell Senators introduced a new bill to repeal the military's 'Don't ask, Don't tell' policy last week. Three former service members have filed a federal lawsuit that says the law on gays in the military is unconstitutional. How would the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' affect your life? Are you in the military? Would you serve if the law is repealed? How do you think a repeal would affect the gay rights movement? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Slashes Budget, Landslide Advice, And Redeveloping Yesler Terrace State Legislature Slashes Budget In Special Session: A quick but not painless session of the legislature on Saturday meant cuts to socials services and education. The Legislature also redirected federal education money to bail out the general fund. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports, and we interview the president–elect of the Washington State School Directors' Association. Landslide Advice For Seattle Property Owners: Torrential rains this weekend caused landslides across western ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Retail Hacking It's been called retail hacking — super coupon finders who beat the system with a Wikileaks system of sharing secret deals and maximizing coupons to get bags of groceries for nothing. Now websites like Groupon are leveraging the collective buying power of their followers to drive prices down to unprecedented lows. We'll talk to Wired magazine reporter Matt Schwartz. Are you a coupon geek? Give us a call at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Signs On Skyscrapers Seattle leaders are looking at a measure to allow big corporate signs on downtown buildings. They're common in other cities. The CITGO sign near Boston's Fenway Park has been a landmark for 70 years. Should Seattle allow corporate logs on downtown buildings? Businesses want it. Critics say it over commercializes the cityscape. What do you think? Call 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Bids, Olympia Special Session, Health Care Cuts, And Clean-Burning Stoves We Have A Winner: Thursday the Washington Department of Transportation announced the winning bid to build a deep bore tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The announcement was met by cheers from politicians and construction workers, but opponents say the state is jumping the gun. KUOW's Amy Radil explains. Washington Legislature Cuts The Budget Saturday: State lawmakers will meet in special session tomorrow to cut the budget. Austin Jenkins reports. Health Care Cuts To Washington' ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Blue Collar Jobs Does everyone need to go to college? Why does blue collar work get stigmatized? It pays well and you can't get outsourced. Today we'll talk about the pros and cons. Do you work in the trades? Give us a call at 206.543.5869 oremail "The Conversation". Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Edmund Morris on 'Colonel Roosevelt' Theodore Roosevelt was president, survived an assassination attempt, wrote 40 books, led cavalry into war and nearly died on an Amazon expedition. His Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Edmund Morris recently completed the third book on his Roosevelt trilogy about Teddy's action packed, post–presidential years when he was the most famous man in the world. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Preschool Cuts, Olympia Agency Vandalized, Cinema IPO, And Graduation Rates Gov. Orders Cuts As Preschool Waitlist Soars: The number of poor children on the waitlist for preschool in Washington has tripled over the past three years. And now the problem may get worse. Governor Chris Gregoire's across–the–board budget reductions threaten to cut more than 100 kids who are already enrolled. Austin Jenkins reports. Monkey Wrench Gang: Vandals glued the doors of the Olympic Clean Air Agency closed this week. Agency officials think it's politically motivat ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Obama's Tax Plan Blocked In a meeting on Thursday morning, the House Democratic caucus rejected President Obama's proposed deal on the Bush tax cuts. We'll hear from a couple of them. What do you want your Congress member to do? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'America's War On Immigrants' Princeton sociologist Doug Massey believes the US has one of the most hostile environments for immigrants in recent memory. He explains the economic, social and political conditions underlying the xenophobia. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Alternative School 1, Toxic Receipts, And Testing A New Cancer Treatment Seattle Proposes Closing Alternative School 1 Again: Last week the Seattle School District honored Alternative School 1 as a school of distinction. Tonight the Seattle School board hears about a plan to close Alternative School 1. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher looks at why. Toxic Money: The Washington Toxics Coalition sounds the alarm on a toxic substance found on store receipts and dollar bills. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. Testing A New Cancer Treatment: The company Seattle Genetics report on ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Retail Design Retailers focus on the look, sound, layout and even smell of a store to create an environment to get you to buy. It begins with the window display designed to draw you in. What are the tricks of the trade? How have retailers had to step up their game in the face of online competition? Why do some stores make you want to buy and other stores make you want to walk out? What store designs work for you and which ones don't? Join the conversation: call 206.543.5869 or 800.289.5869 or email " ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Health Insurance Industry's Deadly Spin Wendell Potter was a senior "spinmeister" for two of the largest for–profit health insurance companies in the United States for 20 years. He quit in 2008, disgusted by those companies' tactics in trying to kill health care reform. Wendell Potter joins us to talk about the power of major companies to obfuscate the issues and influence public policy. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Senate Democrats And The Budget, State Agencies Lobbying, And Duwamish Cleanup How Will Senate Democrats Fill The State Budget Gap In The Special Session? Governor Gregoire says she'll announce the date of a special session of the legislature on Thursday. The agenda: deal with the state's rapidly rising budget shortfall. We'll hear from Democratic Senate Leader Lisa Brown. State Agencies Lobbying For State Dollars: Washington state agencies and local governments spend millions of dollars lobbying the legislature. Some Republicans want to put a stop to it. Correspond ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Extending The Bush Tax Cuts President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans have reached on deal on extending the Bush–era tax cuts to all Americans, including the wealthy. The deal also includes a payroll tax cut, extension of tax credits to working families and an estate tax. Republican leaders endorse the compromise, but will Democrats and Republicans go along? Should they? What do you think about the deal? Join the conversation: call 206.543.5869 / 1.800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Do You Think About Wikileaks? The massive WikiLeaks document releases have given us more details about the war in Afghanistan and what diplomats write to each other. Has the leaking of these documents served public interest? WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange was denied bail today in England. Do you think Assange is a hero or a dangerous troublemaker? Join the conversation: call 206.543.5869 / 1.800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Protest, Cuts Could Hit Rural Schools Harder, And The DREAM Act Budget Protest In Olympia: Washington lawmakers return to Olympia this week. But it's not for a special session — they're getting organized for the regular session in January. That will bring out advocates who plan to stage protests over looming budget cuts. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. School Equalization Funding: When Washington state's legislature meets to make budget cuts, funding for poor school districts is on the table. State school levy equalization funds go ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A La Carte Government Funding In the current budget crunch some government spending can't be touched. That's because for years voters and lawmakers have approved taxes and fees targeted to specific purposes. Some politicians want to redirect this money to government general funds. Is so–called a la carte government funding outdated in tight economic times? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website High School Students Go Without Facebook High school students in Shoreline are kicking Facebook and texting for a week. Or at least they're going to try. Would you like your high school to do this? What's your policy on social media at home? Do teenagers rely too much on social media for their social lives? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stryker Brigade, DREAM Act, And Touchdown Controversy Stryker Brigade: Austin Jenkins reports on the 5th Stryker soldier to survive Afghanistan, only to die on a dark highway. DREAM Act: Activists across the country rallied this week in an effort to persuade Congress to pass the DREAM Act, a bill that would open a path to legalization for immigrant students. Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington D.C. talks about the chances of it passing this month's lame duck session. Touchdown Controversy: The organizatio ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nutty Professor Washington's professor of the year teaches economics at the University of Puget Sound through soccer, wine and juggling. He sets economic theory to music, like his gross domestic polka. He joins us in our studios. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Music Man Wayne Horvitz is a prolific musician and composer. He's also had an abiding interest in how music teaches us about history, particularly labor history. He's the composer of "Joe Hill: 16 Actions for chamber Orchestra, Voices and Soloist," about the legendary Wobbly. Wayne Horvitz joins us for a music and history lesson. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wash. Special Session, Air Force Nurse Seeks Reinstatement, And Mosque Vigil Balking At A Budget Special Session: Governor Gregoire and the Republican lawmakers are calling on state lawmakers go into special session to get an early start on the massive shortfalls. What about the Democrats? Let's talk to one: Ed Murray is the state senator who represents Seattle's 43rd District, and he's a member of the Ways and Means Committee, they're responsible for taxes and budgets. Major Witt Seeks Reinstatement: The air force flight nurse discharged from the military for bei ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Preparing For Aging Disabled Children An ethics panel this week said stunting the growth of children with disabilities is in some cases morally permissible. Parents of children with disabilities face huge issues, particularly when the kids (and parents) get older. We hear from parents who have confronted these issues. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dawgs To Face Cougars At Apple Cup This year's Apple Cup is on Saturday in Pullman. It's the 103–year–old football rivalry between the University of Washington and Washington State University. There's a lot at stake in this year's game. For the first time since 2002, the Huskies have a shot at a bowl game if they win. And of course, WSU will do just about anything to stop them. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Netflix Vs. Comcast And What To Do About The State Budget Netflix Neutrality? FCC chair Julius Genachowski announced a proposal today that would allow broadband providers to charge consumers different rates for different levels of service. This amid a high–profile dispute between Netflix and Comcast. The cable provider wants to charge users more money to stream Netflix movies. How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Budget? Governor Chris Gregoire wants a special legislative session to deal with Washington's rapidly deepening budget hole. De ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Cambodian Diaspora In The Northwest Over 20 percent of the population of Cambodia — or more — died during Pol Pot's reign of terror from 1975 to 1979. Many of those who fled came to the United States. And the Seattle area is now home to one of the largest Cambodian communities in the US. What's the experience of Cambodian immigrants to the Northwest, particularly those who survived the Killing Fields? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Unemployed? What Now? About 2 million Americans are about to lose their unemployment benefits. Maybe you're one of them. Tell us about what comes next. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget, Mosque Fire, Homeless In Thurston, Storefront Art, And Fake Pot Governor Anxious To Whack Budget Further: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says that she and Republican and Democratic lawmakers agree on a package of immediate cuts by the end of this week. She floated a raft of program eliminations right before Thanksgiving, but she's still anxious to cut further. Correspondent Tom Banse reports. Corvallis Shows Support For Fire–Damaged Mosque: The community of Corvallis, Oregon, is rallying around Muslims after an apparent arson attack against a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington Says No To Fingerprint Database Washington state police have declined to sign an agreement with the federal government that would allow fingerprints of people booked into jail to be compared with a national immigration database. The goal is to deport criminals who are in the country illegally, but critics say it would prevent undocumented people from reporting crime. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What's Your Accent? A strong accent tells people something about you, or at least they think it tells them something about you. And that results in many people trying to purge their voice of a regional or national accent. How does the way we speak influence what people think of us? We'll hear from a linguistics professor and a speech–language pathologist who help people who want to reduce their accents. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Portland Bomb Plot Suspect Heads To Court, And The Debate Over Raw Milk Portland Bomb Plot Suspect Heads To Court: Mohamed Osman Mohamud is accused of plotting to detonate a large bomb near the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday afternoon. The Islamic community in the suspect's town of Corvallis says the 19–year–old appeared to be a typical college student. Correspondent Chris Lehman reports. Did The FBI Entrap The Bomb Plot Suspect? Mohamed Osman Mohamud pushed a button to detonate a bomb that he be ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Time To Give Charities near and far are relying on the generosity of strangers this holiday season. But the recession has hurt charitable giving — in fact it dropped by a third last year. Tell us about your charitable giving habits. Where do you donate, how do you donate and has the recession affected the amount you can give this year? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Drill, Baby, Drill? To some teachers drilling is a pedagogical relic from a bygone era. To others it's still an important tool. What was it like when you were in school? How is drilling used in the classroom today based on your experience as a teacher, parent or a student? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Snowpocalypse Travel Update, Equity In Seattle Schools, And Aerospace Confab Cancelled Update: Snowpocalypse 2010 We'll bring you the latest news about power outages, travel conditions and weather as the Puget Sound region copes with this week's snowfall. Racial Equity In Seattle Schools: We learn what Seattle school evaluations tell us about the likelihood an African–American student will be enrolled in a highly ranked school in Seattle. Back Country Safety: Snow enthusiasts are giddy with the weather. Many snowboarders, skiers and snowshoers will head for the back co ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Shoplifting A recent survey showed that store theft added $423 to the average American family's shopping bill this year. We'll hear from one of the authors of the study and take your phone calls. What's been your experience with shoplifting? Do you run a store? Is "shrinkage" a problem? Are you now or have you ever been a shoplifter? Confess! Call 206.543.5869 or 800.289.5869. Or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Non-Traditional Holiday Traditions The holidays are a time of tradition. For many people, that means Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas trees. But some craft their own traditions. How do you celebrate? What's your non–traditional holiday tradition? Call 206.543.5869. Last year, NPR asked listeners about their own nontraditional Thanksgiving traditions. Mary Weburg from Denver shared her family's game, called Pass the Spoon. After they're done eating Thanksgiving dinner, one person takes a serving spoon and scoops up a s ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What's Happening Out There? Yep, it's official. We live in a region that's paralyzed by three inches of snow. Why is that? Tell us your commute story. Who are the heroes of the weather emergency? Is today a happy accident, an irritating inconvenience or a hardship? Are you ignoring the weather and going about your regular business? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Snowpocalypse 2010 We continue our coverage of Snowpocalypse 2010 and to hear your stories. Is today a happy accident, an irritating inconvenience or a hardship? Are you ignoring the weather and going about your regular business? Plus, Vaughn Palmer joins us from the Vancouver Sun. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tales Of The Snowpocalypse We'll hear more of your snow stories. How was your commute? What's the best place to sled in Seattle? Are you enjoying the snow, or is it just a hassle? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Body Scanners, Steroids In The Army, Budget Fix, And Backcountry Danger Baring It All For Body Scanners: New body scanners at Sea–Tac and many other airports have come under scrutiny within the past week. They're called a back scatter, and they use an X–ray to see through your clothes. Some are worried about privacy in addition to possible health risks linked to radiation exposure. Passengers can opt out of the back scatters and the alternative is a pat–down search. KUOW's Liz Jones has the story. Steroid Problems In The Military: Today's sol ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Cuts To Mental Health Services In the aftermath of the recession state revenue continues to drop, and that means more budget cuts for state government. How will cuts to mental health services affect low–income residents and prisoners? How will the cuts affect you? What's the future of mental health funding in Washington state? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Full-Body Scans Wednesday is National Opt–Out Day. People upset about new full–body scans at airport security want travelers to refuse to go through. Are you travelling for Thanksgiving? Will you opt out? What's your take on the furor over new security procedures? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How To Fix Washington's State Budget, And Low-Power FM How To Balance The State Budget: The latest drop in revenue means Washington state must cut over $300 million from the budget. And in the next budget there will be a $5.7 billion shortfall to make up. How do you undertake such a task without falling into partisan, special interest squabbling? We'll hear from three people who have worked on cutting budgets in a rational way. Low Power FM: This weekend, a community radio station in Spokane is celebrating seven years on the air. KYRS is a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Harry Pottermania It's the beginning of the end for the Harry Potter saga. The first part of the final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," debuted last night. What's it all meant to you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nora Ephron Film director, screenwriter, novelist and journalist Nora Ephron joins us to talk about movie making and everything she hasn't yet forgotten. The films she's written or directed include "Silkwood," "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Julie and Julia." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget Hole Gets Worse, And Lawsuits Against Washington's Top Lawyer State Budget Hole Gets Worse: Today state economist Arun Raha forecasts Washington will collect $1.2 billion less than expected in tax money. That makes the gap in the state budget $5.7 billion, which is worse than Raha's September's prediction of a $4.5 billion gap. Raha says the continuing economic weakness is a big part of the problem. Lawsuits Against Washington's Top Lawyer: Today Washington's Supreme Court hears two lawsuits against Washington's top legal official, attorney general R ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will You Pay To Hike Mount Si? The state Department of Natural Resources wants to charge visitors a fee for using state lands. It's one of several ideas the department will ask the Legislature to consider in order to cope with the state budget crisis. What do you think? Would you pay a fee to access lands if it meant keeping those areas open to the public? Call 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Queer Youth Speak From The Suburbs "If you see gender like a football field," says a teen who lives on the East Side, "and on one end you have the most masculine male, and on the other end you have the most feminine female . . . I run around the football field." "Put This On the {Map}" is Sid Jordan Peterson's award–winning documentary about what it's like to be a sexual minority in Seattle's suburbs. The teens in the movie say this is a pretty tolerant place to be a gay teen, but it's not ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Coal Exports, New Crisis Center, State GOP Leadership, And High School Books Coal Export Terminal Challenged: A plan to build a coal export terminal in Longview faces opposition from environmental groups. Correspondent Tom Banse reports. Crisis Center In The Central District: It's been called a cross between a jail and a hospital. The Crisis Solutions Center planned for Jackson Place, just south of Seattle's Central District, is for mentally ill people who pose a danger to themselves or others. We'll find out about it. Challenge To State Republican Leadership: ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tolls Are Coming To SR-520 The State Department of Transportation plans to put tolls on the SR–520 bridge. The price could be $3.50 each way. How will that affect you? How often do you drive over the bridge? Will this change your habits? We'll hear how the all–electronic tolls will work and take your calls. Call in at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Kid Fads Silly Bandz are the latest kids' craze. They're thin, brightly colored rubber bracelets that kids wear, sometimes up to their elbows. Some schools in Seattle have banned the bands. Educators say they're a distraction. Kids are playing with them in class and throwing fits when they break. Slap Bracelets! Tickle Me Elmo! Hula–hoops! What was the kid craze of your generation? Why do kids get obsessed with fads? And, if you have kids in your life, how do you deal with the latest craze? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Home For Nickelsville, 'Lame Duck' Congress, And New Graduation Rules New Home For Nickelsville: The tent city known as Nickelsville moved out of a parking lot across the street from KUOW in Seattle's University District yesterday. The residents of Nickelsville will be spending the winter in Lake City at an empty fire station, at the invitation of Mayor McGinn. McGinn's staff wants Nickelsville to set up a long–term camp at an abandoned peanut butter factory in SODO next year. But some city councilmembers aren't so sure that's a good idea. PubliCola's E ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website I Don't Mean To Interrupt, But Listen To This Do you ever hear someone preface a remark with a phrase that's the opposite of what follows? Like "I don't mean to interrupt, but" or "I'm not racist, but." We'll hear from Erin McKean founder of the online dictionary Wordnik. Then tell us your examples. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Why The West Rules - For Now' Stanford historian Ian Morris attempts nothing less than a history of the world and educated guess about the future in his new book "Why The West Rules–For Now." He examines how geography and natural resources have shaped the geopolitical balance of power on the planet, and how those forces will continue to shape our future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nickelsville Moves, New Ferry, Budget Gaps, And Tuberculosis Up Nickelsville On The Move: After three months in the University District, Nickelsville is packing up today to move to a new location in North Seattle. Meet Chetzemoka, Washington's New Ferry: The first new car ferry in Washington state in more than a decade enters scheduled service in Port Townsend this morning. The Chetzemoka was christened yesterday. Correspondent Tom Banse reports. What To Cut, What To Keep: Officials with the city of Seattle and King County announced highlights of next ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pulling The Plug On Cyberbullying An international conference on bullying begins today in Seattle. We'll hear from Joan Duffell executive director of the Seattle–based nonprofit Committee for Children that's been helping schools with abuse and violence prevention. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Becoming Jimi Hendrix' How did Seattle–born James Marshall Hendrix become the Jimi Hendrix who astounded the rock world in 1967 with his astounding guitar technique? Steven Roby traces Hendrix's musical evolution from Seattle and through his apprenticeship on the Chitlin' Circuit with the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and Sam and Dave. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Challenging Chopp, Puget Sound Resignation, And Soldier Faces Charges Frank Chopp Faces A Challenger: Mark Miloscia has announced he will run for speaker of Washington's House of Representatives, challenging current Speaker Frank Chopp of Seattle. Chopp has led the caucus since 1998. Miloscia is Chopp's first challenger in recent history. Norm Dicks' Son Resigns From Puget Sound Partnership: David Dicks is leaving his job as head of the Puget Sound Partnership, the agency responsible for cleaning up Puget Sound. KUOW's John Ryan reports. Afghan 'Kill Team ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Remembering Dave Niehaus Dave Niehaus died this week. He was the voice of the Mariners since the team began playing in the King Dome in 1977. Niehaus was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. KUOW's Dave Beck spoke with Dave Niehaus in February 2000. We'll hear the interview and take your calls. Share your memories at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation". Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Story Of Explorer David Douglas The Douglas Fir, the Northwest's signature tree, got its name from a Scottish plant collector, David Douglas. In the 1820s and 1830s, Douglas spent time exploring what is now Eastern Washington. At the time, it was called the Columbia District. The only other white people there worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. Naturalist Jack Nisbet tells us his extraordinary story. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website School Grades, Afghanistan 'Kill Team,' Lasers At Planes, BP Pipelines Get F's No South End Schools Get A's: Although the school district downplays it, its reports on the state of Seattle schools out this week show all schools in the south end perform poorly. Afghanistan 'Kill Team' Soldier's Defense: The Army says he orchestrated the killings of three unarmed Afghan civilians and even collected their body parts as war trophies. But Tuesday an attorney for Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs sought to show that Army investigators have built a sloppy war crimes case. Correspon ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Permanent Homeless Camp In SODO Mayor Mike McGinn's choice of a site at a burned out peanut butter plant in SODO for a permanent homeless camp is being greeted with skepticism in some quarters. What do you think of the site? What is a permanent homeless camp, exactly? Isn't that usually known as a shelter? We'll hear from a Nickelsville resident who says 80 camp residents need a permanent home this weekend, and we'll take your calls. Join us at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website China 2010 China's economy is forecast to grow by 10 percent in 2010. But despite quick economic growth, China is slower to democratize. Today Ross Reynolds takes a close look at government reform in China, and US–China relations. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Public School Report, And The Collapse Of Small Banks Grading Seattle's Public Schools: The Seattle School District releases evaluations on each school based on student test performance, attendance and other factors. Seattle Public School Superintendent Maria Goodloe–Johnson joins us to explain how the report will be used. Small Enough To Fail: A couple years ago it was the large banks on the verge of collapse. Today it's the small banks that are failing. We'll find out why from Kirsten Grind of the Puget Sound Business Journal. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Is Swearing Acceptable? Swearing in public is usually frowned up on, particularly when there are kids around. But are we more tolerant? What role has the endless bleeping on "The Daily Show" played in our tolerance of cursing? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Does The Deficit Matter? Newly–elected Republican lawmakers are promising to cut the federal deficit. But economist Dean Baker says we'd be better off with a crook in office spending $2 trillion in counterfeit money on everything from houses to lavish parties. How big a deal is the trillion–dollar federal deficit? Could the cures be worse than the disease? Economists Dean Baker and Diane Lim Rogers of the Concord Coalition join us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Property Tax Hikes, Mobile Homes In Ballard, And Windows 7 Phone Can Property Tax Hikes Save Your City? Voters in the recent mid-term election rejected all initiatives increasing taxes, but cities across the nation are facing devastating budget shortfalls. Now some cities are considering property tax increases to help balance budgets. The city of Everson in Whatcom County is one of them. They're holding a public hearing tomorrow to discuss a possible 1 percent property tax increase. Paula Leach is the Everson City Administrator. Mobile Homes Driven From ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Oh, Sister! Do sisters make you happier? Social scientists have found that young people who grew up with at least one sister tended to be happier and more optimistic. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Too Smart For Work Are you too overqualified to get a job? Many with advanced degrees and skills are unemployed or underemployed. Are you one? How have you had to modify your job search? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Plan B, Private Liquor Sales, And Expanding Hospitals Will Pharmacies Still Have To Stock Plan B? Pharmacies may stop selling the morning after birth control pill because of changes being considered by the state pharmacy board. Derek Wang has our story. Voters Say No To Private Liquor Sales, Will Legislature Say Yes? Voters just defeated two measures to privatize liquor sales in Washington State, but one state lawmaker is bringing back a proposal to do just that. Tom Banse reports. Expanding King County Hospitals: Hospitals can't just open ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle's History Of Vice Crime writer Rick Anderson on Seattle's history of corruption, open prostitution and graft. He tells the story in his new book "Seattle Vice." Ross talks to Rick in a bona fide Seattle dive bar, the Nitelite. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Older And Unemployed: Losing And Finding Jobs Older unemployed workers are having a tough time getting back in the work force. We'll hear some stories. Are you older and out of work? What are the obstacles you face? How is your job search going? Tell us your story. Email "The Conversation" or call 800.289.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election 2010 Update, And A Mobile App To Track Soldiers' Moods Election 2010 And Seattle's Budget Woes: The election results are in and there's no new revenue heading Seattle's way. The city is facing a $67 million budget shortfall for 2011. We will hear from Mayor Mike McGinn about the city budget. Plus, he talks about how local law enforcement handles marijuana. Counting The Votes For Washington's Senate Race: Republican Dino Rossi's prospects of pulling out a win in Washington's US Senate race are dimming. Democrat Patty Murray has increased her m ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How's Seattle Schools' Neighborhood Assignment Plan Going? What kind of school will my kid attend? It is a core question for parents and the answer depends on the school assignment plan. Seattle has had a new way of assigning students for the past year. It focuses on sending kids to schools in their neighborhood. It's given up on busing to achieve racial integration. Are you a parent, a teacher or a staff member at Seattle Public Schools? How's the new plan affecting your decision about where to live, and whether to send your child to public school ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Huskies On National TV: Is It Worth The Traffic? Thursday, November 18, the University of Washington Husky football team plays a rare, midweek, nationally telecast game. The always congested University District is expected to be even more jammed. The university is asking employees to consider taking the day off or leave early. Is this too much dislocation for the benefit of a nationally broadcast football game? Let's discuss. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Post-Election Palooza, Hour 1 The results are in. We'll hear from the winners and losers in Washington state's 2010 elections, and pour over the election results with panelists that include Danny Westneat from The Seattle Times, Erica Barnett from PubliCola, political scientists, political consultants and you – our expert listeners. Tune in for this special coverage from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tell us how you voted or why you didn't, and what you make of the results. Call 206.543.5869 or 800.289.5869 or email "Th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Post-Election Palooza, Hour 2 The results are in. Washington state voters said no to new taxes and voted more Republicans into statewide and national office. We pour over the election results with political scientists, political consultants and you — our expert listeners. Tune in for this special coverage from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tell us how you voted or why you didn't, and what you make of the results. Call 206.543.5869 or 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election Return Primer, Snohomish Tax Increase, And Skagit River Levees Election Results – What To Look For: Election returns begin to trickle in at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time. We'll tell you what to look for and what to ignore. Snohomish Tax Increase: One approach to the budget problems many governments are facing is raising taxes. That's what they're talking about doing in the city of Snohomish. We'll check in with Mayor Karen Guzak. If The Levee Breaks: The Army Corps of Engineers says levees along the Skagit River in Mount Vernon and Burlington are we ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website This Park Brought To You By ... Facing deep budget deficits, governments are looking at corporate sponsorships. There's the Weyerhauser King County Aquatic Center, and Seattle's mayor Mike McGinn wants the Parks Department to look at corporate sponsorships. Is it all good? Is there a line that shouldn't be crossed? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Herding Donkeys By Ari Berman Why do opinion polls show Democrats are in for a world of hurt? Ari Berman, political correspondent for The Nation, says they've forgotten the lessons of grassroots organization they used to elect Barack Obama, and conservatives have been using those tactics. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Outlawing Video Games, Robo-Signing, And Salmon Can Kids Handle The Violence In Video Games? Tomorrow the Supreme Court will hear arguments about California's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors. What's the evidence these games are harmful to kids? Supporters of the ban say violent video games are bad for kids. Opponents say the ban would infringe on freedom of speech and make it easier for bans to pass on other media, like books, movies or even the Internet. Robo–Signing: Bad For Banks But OK For Debt Collectors? Ba ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sound Show What are your favorite sounds? What sounds provoke a feeling, a memory or delight? Seattle soundscape artist Chris DeLaurenti joins us, and we want to hear from you. What sounds make you smile? What sounds make you scream? We want you to play, or say some of your favorite and least favorite sounds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website More Sounds What are your favorite sounds? What sounds provoke a feeling, a memory or delight? Seattle soundscape artist Chris DeLaurenti joins us, and we want to hear from you. What sounds make you smile? What sounds make you scream? We want you to play, or say some of your favorite and least favorite sounds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Campaign Scandal, Eastside Politics, And Wrongly Convicted Moxie Media Case Goes To AG, Re-vote Possible: Not since the 1970s has a court overturned a Washington election and ordered a re–vote. But that specter has now been raised in Washington's 38th Legislative District because of an emerging campaign finance scandal. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. State Legislature's Fate Up To Seattle's Eastern Suburbs: The battle over control of the Washington State Legislature is being waged in Seattle's eastern suburbs. That's where ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rally To Restore Sanity The Seattle version of comedian John Stewart's Rally To Restore Sanity is happening this Saturday. It's a parody of political protest, but the organizers say they're sending a serious message too: that sane, calm discussion is better than shrill, angry shouting. We'll check in with organizers and talk to a guest who says hostility, bias, and intemperateness also have a place in democracy. What do you think? Are you planning to attend the Rally to Restore Sanity? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Trick Or Treat, Or Neither? An Xbox game designer says a culture of fear has led many people to abandon neighborhood trick–or–treating. And he's launched a movement in Seattle to bring it back. What's trick–or–treating like in your neighborhood? What was it like when you were a kid? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Foreclosure Spike, And Wind Farm Noise Seattle Foreclosure Spike: The number of home foreclosures in Seattle spiked severely in recent months, according to new numbers from the firm RealtyTrac. In fact, the greater Seattle area saw a 71 percent spike between July and September compared to last year. That's the biggest increase compared to any other major city. We'll figure out why and what this means. Wind Farm Noise: An Oregon county is telling the owner of a big wind farm to quiet down so neighbors can sleep at night. The ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Will You Vote For A Sales Tax For King County? A King County ballot measure would increase the sales taxes by 0.2 percent to pay for criminal justice, fire protection and other government services. We'll talk to both sides and take your calls. What will it mean to you if Proposition 1 passes or fails? Will you vote for it? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Civil Rights In The Obama Era Civil rights activist Jack O'Dell and Professor Robin Kelley discuss the Obama Presidency and its current challenges as seen through the prism of civil rights and social movements. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Afghanistan Blast Anniversary, Toxic Fragrances, And Gray Wolf Endangered Again Anniversary Of Deadly Afghanistan Blast: One year ago today, seven Northwest soldiers and their interpreter were killed in a massive blast in southern Afghanistan. It was the single deadliest incident during a brutal one–year deployment of the 5th Stryker Brigade from Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Austin Jenkins brings us the story of what happened that day and how the tragedy has transformed some of the people most affected by it. The Sweet Smell Of Toxins: A new study from the U ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle School Levy Seattle voters are deciding whether or not to support a 3–year, $48.2 million levy to support the city's schools. We'll talk to proponents and opponents of the measure. How will you vote? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Permanent Tent City? Mayor McGinn's staff are recommending seven possible sites for a proposed homeless camp in Seattle. We'll take a closer look, and we want to hear from you: What do you think of the proposal? What would you do if you were mayor? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Permanent Home For Homeless Camp, Homeless In School, And Seattle Car Fee Permanent Home For Homeless Camp? A panel of Seattle residents says the city should designate an area for a permanent encampment for the homeless. We'll find out how that plan might work. Homeless In The Halls: The number of homeless kids attending public schools is on the rise in Washington. The Bellingham school district reported the highest percentage increase. We'll talk with an educator there to find out what the school provides in the way of support for these students. Seattle C ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Technology Wants Kevin Kelly says technology mimics natural systems and is in a sense alive. He was Wired magazine's executive editor for seven years, but he doesn't have a cell phone and won't travel with a laptop. He's wary about technology, yet fascinated with what it really is. We talk to him in front of a small audience gathered in the KUOW studios. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Localizing Global Health PATH is a leader in global health expertise. Based in Seattle, the group works to find solutions to emerging and epidemic diseases like tuberculosis and AIDS, and promotes safe childbirth and health equality for women. We'll learn more about their work, priorities and the state of global health initiatives. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Insurance Rates Soar, Sweet-Toothed Bear Caught, And Tea Party Diluted? Insurance Rates Up, Along with Executive Pay: A seattlepi.com report shows that health insurance companies are raising rates for customers while executive salaries and company surpluses are going up. We'll talk to Washington's insurance commissioner about attempts to make it more difficult to raise premiums. Sweet-Toothed Bear Caught and Released: Wildlife officials captured a young black bear on Seattle's Eastside last week using a Krispy Kreme doughnut as bait. Tea Party Watered Down? T ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fact-Checking The Tea Party Tea Party activists and their leaders like Glen Beck claim they follow what the founding fathers intended. Harvard history professor and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore says 18th century history is a bit messier than they might realize. She talks about the battle over the meaning of history in her book "The Whites of Their Eyes: The Tea Party's Revolution and the Battle over American History." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Preparing For The Gray Tsunami Demographer Phillip Longman says we shouldn't worry about having too many people on the planet — we should worry about having too few. He says our rapidly aging population, what he calls the gray tsunami, could lead to trouble in coming years. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Big Campaign Spenders, Dicks Vs. Cloud, And Fall Colors Threat Who Are The Big Spenders In Washington's Election? Huge amounts of money are pouring into our state to influence the upcoming election. Where's it all coming from? We'll talk to a representative of the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group "dedicated to creating open government." Election 2010: Race For The 6th District Washington Democratic Congressman Norm Dicks has cruised to re–election wins for a good part of his 34–year career representing Washin ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Smith Vs. Muri For Washington's 9th District Washington's 9th District Congressman Adam Smith is running for re–election against Pierce County Councilmember Dick Muri. The two candidates clash over health insurance reform, bailouts for auto industry and pay hikes. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should NPR Have Fired Juan Williams? National Public Radio fired news analyst Juan Williams earlier this week for remarks he made on FOX News. We'll hear the comments and your views. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Obama In Seattle, Young Voters, And Dicks Vs. Cloud For Congress Obama In Seattle: President Obama visits Seattle today to campaign for Senator Patty Murray and to meet with constituents. We'll check in with his live address from the University of Washington, and KUOW's Deborah Wang gives us the details on his backyard chat in Wedgwood this morning. Washington Bus And Young Voters: Getting youth interested in politics and elections is a recurring problem for get–out–the–vote campaigners. Spokane Public Radio's Amanda Loder tells us ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Facing Foreclosure, Part 1 Foreclosure rates continue to rise. Lenders foreclosed on 2599 homes in Washington state last month. That's double the number from a year earlier. Is your family facing foreclosure or a troubled loan? We'll have housing counselors on hand to speak with you. Call with your questions, frustrations and stories at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Facing Foreclosure, Part 2 Foreclosure rates continue to rise. Lenders foreclosed on 2599 homes in Washington state last month. That's double the number from a year earlier. Is your family facing foreclosure or a troubled loan? We'll have housing counselors on hand to speak with you. Call with your questions, frustrations and stories at 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website City Council Takes On Seattle's Budget, And Election 2010 Will Seattle's City Council Raise Parking Fees? Seattle City Council's Budget Committee met this morning to look at Mayor McGinn's proposed transportation budget. McGinn wants to raise commercial parking taxes, vehicle license fees and parking meter rates. Will Seattle's City Council raise parking fees to solve the city's $67 million budget dilemma? Council President Richard Conlin joins us. Election 2010: Wiggins vs. Sanders For The State Supreme Court State Supreme Court Justice Richa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election 2010: Suzan DelBene Runs For Dave Reichert's Seat In Congress Democrat Suzan DelBene is running hard to retire 8th District Congressman Dave Reichert. We'll hear what the technology entrepreneur from Medina is about and what she would do differently. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election 2010: Dino Rossi Vs. Patty Murray. How Will You Vote? Democrat Patty Murray's race for re–election against Republican challenger Dino Ross is very close according to the polls. By one estimate, more than 1 in 10 voters is undecided. We'll hear their stands on the issues and take your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stanwood Teens On Heroin, Buying Meth Online And Over-Prescribed Poor Kids Stanwood–Camano Teens Are Addicted To Heroin: The Stanwood–Camano school district held a town hall meeting last night for students and teens to talk about widespread heroin use in the district. More than 40 teens are in rehab for heroin addiction. Some teens there say heroin is easier to buy than alcohol. Buying Meth Online: More teens in the Northwest are using a form of methamphetamine that's legal in almost all states. It's sold on the Internet disguised as bath salts or ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Election 2010: Jim McDermott Vs. Bob Jeffers-Schroder Jim McDermott has been called Seattle's congressman for life. He's running for a 12th term representing the 7th Congressional District, which includes Seattle and Vashon Island. Independent Bob Jeffers–Schroder is challenging McDermott, but readily admits he won't win. Both candidates join us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Simon LeVay: The Science Of Sexual Orientation Since neuroscientist Simon LeVay reported a difference in the brain structure between gay and straight men in 1991, an entire scientific discipline has sprung up around the quest for a biological explanation of sexual orientation. And now LeVay, author of "Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why," explains where the science stands today. Although many details remain unresolved, he says, the general conclusion is quite clear: A person's sexual orientation arises in large part from biolog ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Murray And Rossi Debate, New Rules For Pain Meds, And Deadbeat Banks Murray And Rossi Debate: US Senator Patty Murray faced challenger Dino Rossi for the second time in a live TV debate Sunday evening. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. New Rules For Pain Meds: The statistics around opiate abuse in Washington state are striking. Overdose deaths now outpace the number of people killed in car accidents. Now the state's medical board has adopted new rules for prescribing opiates. But some fear the new rules will harm patients with chronic pain. KUOW's Patr ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website More And More Youth Are Homeless In King County One thousand young adults in King County will have no place to sleep tonight. We hear Carol Smith's in–depth investigation into the growing problem of youth homelessness, and talk to someone who's been through it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Maurice Clemmons' Jailhouse Phone Calls Before he walked into a coffee shop and gunned down four police officers last November, Maurice Clemmons was in jail. In more than 100 hours of phone calls recorded there you can hear him transforming from inmate to murderer. We'll listen to the Clemmons jailhouse phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington Poll Results And Bikes Vs Cars Washington Poll Results: A new Washington Poll puts Murray ahead of her opponent Dino Rossi by 7 percentage points. We'll hear from pollster and political scientist Matt Barretto. Bikes vs Cars: Some say Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's proposed increase of parking fees amounts to a war on cars. While cutting back elsewhere, the mayor's new budget spends $13 million more for car alternatives and added bike lanes. Is it a war? Or is it just fair? We want to know what you think. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stryker Leader Faulted, Big Money In State Campaigns And Renegade History Did Stryker Leader's Attitude Encourage Killings? US Stryker brigade soldiers from Joint Base Lewis–McChord near Tacoma are accused of killing three Afghanistan civilians — for fun. Last week an investigating officer recommended a court–martial for one of the five men. Now evidence has emerged that the Stryker brigade leader may have shaped the attitudes of the accused. We'll talk to the Washington Post reporter who broke the story. Big Money Backs Soda Tax Repeal: The ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Online Privacy And The New Yorker Music Writer Alex Ross ACLU Amazon Lawsuit: North Carolina says Amazon.com or its customers owe them $50 million in sales tax. So North Carolina tax collectors want Amazon to provide them with information about what their customers are buying. But the ACLU says that's unconstitutional and they're in federal court today in Seattle to make their case. Sarah Dunne is the legal director for the ACLU of Washington. HTML 5 Privacy: A new programming language is going to change the way you browse the web. HTML 5 wil ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Yellow Pages Opt Out, Public Access TV Cuts, And Julian Zelizer On Jimmy Carter Bye–Bye Yellow Pages? People in Seattle will soon be able to opt out of getting the yellow pages delivered to their doors. Yesterday the city council passed a law to create a do not deliver list. The Yellow Pages Association is thinking of suing. Rethinking Jimmy Carter: Most historians believe President Jimmy Carter was doomed to fail because he was a tone deaf moralist who lacked political skills. Princeton historian Julian Zelizer says Carter's formidable strengths could have mad ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Time Off For Good Behavior? And Patty Murray's Reelection Bid The State Department of Corrections has taken a big hit to its budget this year. Some legislators want to revive this cost–cutting measure: Giving prisoners time off for good behavior. That was state law since in 2003, but it expired this summer. Also, polls show incumbent Sen. Patty Murray neck–and–neck with Republican challenger Dino Rossi. We'll talk to Murray about her re–election campaign and why she thinks she deserves your vote. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Biden In Olympia, Budget Cuts, Felon Voter Ban And Words You Love (And Hate) Joe Biden Stops In Olympia: Vice President Joe Biden is in Olympia today to stump for Sen. Patty Murray's re–election campaign. We'll check in with correspondent Austin Jenkins for a live report. Social And Health Services Budget Cuts: Last week Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced $168 million in cuts. These include major cuts to mental health treatment and health care coverage. As part of our continuing series on how budget cuts affect the mos ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Medical Errors, Biomass Plant Protest, Gay Teens And Bullying Medical Errors: Two children died recently at Children's Hospital in Seattle. A medication error has been identified as the cause of death in at least one case — the other is still being investigated. Hospitals in Washington are required to report medical errors, but relatively few errors are actually being reported. Democratic State Senator Karen Keiser plans to introduce legislation next session to improve Washington's medical–error reporting program. Biomass Plant Protest: Us ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Cuts To Mental Health Services And Will The Revolution Be Tweeted? Cuts To Mental Health Services: Last week Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services announced $168 million in cuts — including major cuts to long–term care for the elderly and disabled, and mental health services for severely mentally ill. How will these cuts affect the most vulnerable mentally ill people among us? Will The Revolution Be Tweeted? Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The Tipping Point," says the revolution will not be tweeted. UW professor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Future Of The Planet James Howard Kunstler writes about converging catastrophes in the 21st century brought about by global warming and other disasters. He says suburbs and big cities are unsustainable and doomed to fail. Kunstler's solution for surviving the apocalypse is simpler, small town living. But Seattle environmental guru Alex Steffen disagrees. Steffen says smart urban growth and renewable energy will carry us to a brighter future. Tune in to hear a debate on the future of the planet. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Company Town Historian Hardy Green has written of the "industrial Edens and satanic mills that shaped the American economy" in his new book "The Company Town." We'll talk about how they are un–American, yet the essence of America. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Mayor McGinn On Seattle's Budget Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn proposed a budget this week that closes a $67 million budget gap. It includes pay freezes, layoffs, higher parking fees and reduced services. Now it's time for the City Council to consider the plan. Mayor McGinn and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen join us to discuss. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website KUOW Listeners On McGinn's Budget The City of Seattle is staring down pay freezes, layoffs, higher parking fees and less social services under Mayor Mike McGinn's proposed budget. We get reaction from the Downtown Seattle Association, the police officers union, State Representative Reuven Carlyle and you. What do you like about the mayor's proposal? What do you dislike? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Robert Reich: 'Aftershock' Former Secretary of Labor and public radio commentator Robert Reich joins us to share his ideas on what the US can do to pull itself out of its lingering recession. He says we need to close the growing income gap between the rich and the poor. His new book is called "Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Health Care, Bike Boxes, And Tent Cities Health Care Cuts: How will across–the–board budget cuts affect Washington's most vulnerable citizens? We'll take a closer look at how cuts to Medicaid will affect Washingtonians with the state Medicaid director. Health Care Reform For The Self–Employed: Health care reform rules going into place tomorrow will make it easier for self–employed people to get health insurance. We'll hear how. Seattle's First Bike Box: Bike boxes are here! What are they? And how wi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Transportation 2030 How should Washington state plan for our transportation needs in year 2030? We'll talk it over with two members of the state transportation commission. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro is a monster fan, author and director. He started making movies at age eight in Super 8. His films include "Pan's Labyrinth." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Possible New Congressional District, Bellevue Budget Woes, And Workers' Comp A 10th Congressional District For Washington? According to the latest US Census data Washington state may get a 10th Congressional seat. Where would the new district go? How would it affect existing districts? Should we worry about gerrymandering? Bellevue Budget Woes: The city manager of Bellevue is proposing budget cuts that would end support for the Bellevue Jazz Festival. We'll find out more. Workers' Comp Initiative 1082: Voters will decide this November whether Washington's govern ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Anti-Tunnel Initiative Tunnel opponent Elizabeth Campbell has filed an initiative to force a public vote on the tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. It would prohibit use of public property to build the deep–bore tunnel. Will you sign it? Let us know what you think. Call us at 206.543.5869 or 800.289.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali is an ex–Muslim and a critic of how women are treated in Islamic societies. She was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and later immigrated to the Netherlands where she served as a member of the Dutch parliament. She wrote the screenplay for Theo Van Gogh's film "Submission" which denounced Islam's treatment of women. Van Gogh was later assassinated by a Muslim extremist; Ali received death threats and went into hiding. TIME magazine named her one of the world's 100 ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Dow Constantine And Reagan Dunn On King County Budget Woes King County Executive Dow Constantine announced his 2011 budget proposal yesterday. It includes layoffs and heavy cuts to the criminal justice services. We'll hear from County Executive Constantine and get a different perspective from County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debating Prop 1: The King County Sales Tax Initiative Today King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg and Paul Guppy of the Washington Policy Center debate Proposition 1. The measure would increase the King County sales tax from 9.5 percent to 9.7 percent. How will you vote? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rick Bass On The Browns, And Shon Meckfessel On Seized Hikers Nashville Chrome: The Browns were big in country music in the 1950s. Elvis Presley was their opening act. The Beatles tried unsuccessfully to learn their harmonies. Novelist Rick Bass used the story of The Browns for his new novel "Nashville Chrome." Shon Meckfessel: University of Washington graduate student Shon Meckfessel offers his perspective on the three hikers seized by Iranians near the Iraqi border. Shon had been travelling with the Americans before their hike. Meckfess ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website King County's Bad Budget News And The 2nd Congressional District Race King County's Bad Budget News: King County Executive Dow Constantine presents his plan for cutting $60 million from the county's budget — and makes a pitch for raising taxes in November. Two hundred people would be laid off. Altogether, more than 462 positions could be eliminated. Coming in First in the 2nd Congressional District: Rick Larsen faces a tough uphill battle against Republican John Koster in the 2nd Congressional District. In their first matchup a decade ago, Larsen squ ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Forestalling Foreclosure Millions of Americans are struggling to stay in their homes as foreclosure looms. Fewer than half of the people enrolled in the Obama administration's flagship mortgage–relief program have gotten their mortgage payments lowered. Is the federal government helping you? Tell us about your mortgage woes. Erin Rearden, a mortgage counselor with Solid Ground, and Richard Hagar, an expert in predatory mortgage lending, are here to answer your questions. Fannie Mae is offering mortgage assi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Forestalling Foreclosure And Seattle City Budget Cuts Forestalling Foreclosure — Continued: Millions of Americans are struggling to stay in their homes as foreclosure looms. Fewer than half of the people enrolled in the Obama administration's flagship mortgage–relief program have gotten their mortgage payments lowered. Is the federal government helping you? Tell us about your mortgage woes. Erin Rearden, a mortgage counselor with Solid Ground, and Richard Hagar, an expert in predatory mortgage lending, are here to answer your ques ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tasers At SPD, A House Without A Furnace, And Take Back Your Drugs Tasers, Guns And The Seattle Police Department: Why didn't the Seattle police officer who shot and killed a Native American wood carver use a Taser instead of a gun? KUOW's Amy Radil answers the questions many Seattleites are asking. 'Passive House' Means Aggressive Energy Efficiency: How do you build a house in the Puget Sound without a furnace of some kind? We'll hear from the architect of passively heated home. The Drug Enforcement Administration's Remedy For Prescription Drug Abuse: ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Initiative 1107: Repeal The Tax On Soda And Candy Should we repeal the recently enacted candy, pop and bottled–water sales tax? Initiative 1107 would do just that. Proponents of the initiative say the tax represents the long arm of the government reaching into your grocery cart. Opponents say the loss of revenue would mean even more cuts for schools and social programs. We'll hear from both sides. How will you vote? Call 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle's Chief Geek Seattle's Chief Technology Officer Bill Shrier joins us to talk about net neutrality, white spaces and how digital technology is changing government. He'll also answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Green Roofs, Stryker Brigade Risk Takers, And Razor Clam Season Taking Green To New Heights: The green roof is making a comeback in cities around the world. Seattle has 62 of them, including the roof of the Ballard Library. But what are they, and why are they good for the city? We'll hear from City Councilmember Mike O'Brien. Returning Stryker Brigade Soldiers Taking Risks: Risk–taking behaviors — fast cars, faster motorcycles, thrill–seeking sports — are common among returning soldiers seeking to replace the adrenaline rush o ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Should Washington State Get Out Of The Liquor Business? It may be lucrative for Washington state to run all hard–liquor sales through state run stores, but is that what we want state government doing? We'll talk about two initiatives that would get the state out of the liquor business. Which way will you vote? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Liquor Initiatives And A Talk With Philip Seymour Hoffman Getting Washington Out Of The Liquor Business: Two initiatives on the November ballot would get the state out of the liquor business. Which way will you vote? We'll take your calls. Hoffman Goes Directing: Academy Award–winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman talks about his new film "Jack Goes Boating," the story of two couples, one coming together and the other falling apart. Hoffman both stars in and directs. It's his first time directing a feature film. He also appeared ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website King County Budget Cuts, Hood Canal Fish Kill And No Seattle School Board Recall King County Budget Cuts: King County Executive Dow Constantine yesterday proposed eliminating all money from the county's general fund that pays for programs that serve survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. KUOW's Derek Wang reports. Then King County Deputy Executive Frank Jarrett responds. Hood Canal Fish Kill: Fish and other marine life are washing up on the shores of Hood Canal after the oxygen level in the water dropped sharply. As KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports, it's the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website King County Budget Cuts, Hood Canal Fish Kill And No Seattle School Board Recall King County Budget Cuts: King County Executive Dow Constantine yesterday proposed eliminating all money from the county's general fund that pays for programs that serve survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. KUOW's Derek Wang reports. Then King County Deputy Executive Frank Jarrett responds. Hood Canal Fish Kill: Fish and other marine life are washing up on the shores of Hood Canal after the oxygen level in the water dropped sharply. As KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports, it's the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Living Alone More Americans are living alone than ever before. That's according to new census data. Singles made up 27 percent of all households last year, up from 17 percent in 1970. We'll talk to a preeminent historian of family studies and we want to hear from KUOW listeners. Do you live alone? How is that going for you? Call us now and share your story: 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Post-9/11 FBI Investigations, Sex Abuse In Prison, And Felon Voting Rights Felon Voting Rights Trial: Washington's ban on felon voting will go before an 11–judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco today. Earlier this year a three–judge panel from that same court ruled that the ban violates the Voting Rights Act. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins has details. Sex Abuse In Prison: Ninety thousand prison and jail inmates are sexually abused each year, according to a new federal report. That number includes both inmate–on ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Income Tax For The Rich? Initiative 1098 asks voters to decide if high earners should pay a state income tax. The initiative imposes a 5 percent income tax on individuals who make over $200,000 a year, and a 9 percent tax on incomes over $1 million. The money from the tax would go to education and health care. We'll hear from advocates and opponents of the income tax. How will you vote on I–1098? Call 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Working For The Public Good And Getting Paid For It Looking for a public service job? Maybe it's your first job, or you'd like to find a more meaningful job. Heather Krasna talks about her guide "Jobs That Matter." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Transportation Tax, School Board Recall, Food To Fuel, And Salmon Higher Car Tabs For Seattle? It could soon cost more to own a car in Seattle. The Seattle City Council is set to vote today on a proposal that could raise car tab fees by an extra $20. KUOW's Derek Wang explains. School Board Recall Goes To Court: A King County Superior Court Judge is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday about the possible recall of five members of the Seattle School Board. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Food Into Fuel: In the year–and–a–half since foo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website I-1053: Two Thirds Required For Tax Increases. How Will You Vote? Should the state Legislature have to pass tax increases by a two–thirds vote? It's the latest Tim Eyman initiative on the ballot in November. Hear Eyman and state Senator Ed Murray debate, and tell us why you're going to vote for — or against — the initiative. Call 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Chasing Monster Waves Monster waves, 100 feet tall, used to be the stuff of legends. Even if they existed, mariners who saw them did not live to tell the tale. But in recent years scientists have verified the existence of these freak waves, and surfers are trying conquering them. Journalist Susan Casey tells the story in her new book "The Wave." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget Cuts And Scrutinizing Seattle's Police Review Board State Budget Cuts To Hit Social Services And Community Colleges: Washington State officials announced 6 percent across–the–board budget cuts yesterday. We'll look at how those cuts will affect some of the state's most vulnerable citizens and how the cuts will make it tougher for community college students. Police Review Board Under Scrutiny: The controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of a Native American carver by a Seattle Police officer has put extra scrutiny on the boa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Sound Of Gaming And Hendrix Remembered The Sound Of 'Halo: Reach': The final installment of the blockbuster video game "Halo: Reach" from Kirkland's Bungie Studios is out this week. A big part of the video game experience is the audio. Bungie Audio Director Marty O'Donnell stops by to talk about how he elaborately assembled the sounds to enhance the experience for Halo gamers. Hendrix Remembered: Seattle–born rock icon Jimi Hendrix died 40 years ago this week. KUOW's Marcie Sillman reports on his continuing in ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Making Sense Of Health Insurance Reform The health insurance reform bill signed into law by President Obama earlier this year is complex and the changes it brings are far reaching. In our continuing series designed to answer your questions about the legislation, we'll hear from Barbara Flye, a senior health policy adviser for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Revenue Forecast, Pipeline Safety, New Arson Trial Gloomy Revenue Forecast: Washington state's revenue forecast is out this morning. Those numbers will trigger automatic across–the–board budget cuts to state agencies. How deep will the cuts be? We'll talk with Governor Gregoire's budget chief. How Safe Are Our Gas Pipelines? The recent pipeline explosion in the Bay Area that killed at least four people and destroyed almost 40 homes has prompted questions about how well the industry is being regulated. Are gas pipelines in Wa ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki Ichiro Fujisaki attended a Seattle junior high school as a young exchange student. He returns to Seattle today as the Japanese ambassador to the United States. We'll talk to him about the state of relations between these long–time allies. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Politics Of Humor (And Vice Versa) Millions of people watch Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." And according to a 2007 Pew Survey the audience for Jon Stewart's fake news program is better–informed than NPR's. What's up with that? What's the role of comedy and news parody in the modern media landscape? We'll talk about politics and humor with Lizz Winstead, who co–created the show in 1996. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Changes To Seattle Police, Ocean Acidification, And A Logging Champ Changes Coming To Seattle Police Department: Seattle Police Chief John Diaz and Mayor Mike McGinn held a press conference this morning and announced changes to the Seattle Police Department's command structure. They also gave an update on the inquest into the police killing of Native carver John Williams. Phyllis Fletcher was there, and she reports. How Do Baby Oysters Feel About Global Warming? The lesser known evil twin of global climate change is ocean acidification. Tom Banse reports ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Happens When You Disconnect From Social Media? A university in Pennsylvania is having social media blackout. No Facebook, no Twitter, no nothing. We'll find out why. Have you ever gone on a social media diet? Tell us why you did it, and what happened. Call 800.289.5869 or email "The Conversation". Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Has The Internet Changed Photography? Digital photography and the web have changed our relationship to photos. We take more pictures because we don't have to develop film, and perhaps even more importantly, we share them on the web instead of showing them in photo albums or slideshows. How has all this affected amateur and professional photographers? Call us with your experience — how has the way you take, manage and share photos changed in the past decade and how does that affect the memories you're preserving today? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Storm, Solar Power, And Feral Rabbits Game Two Of The Finals For Seattle Storm: The Seattle Storm plays game two of the finals tonight at Key Arena. The team already won game one against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. It only needs two more wins to win the WNBA championship in the best–of–five series. The Storm already is the winning–est team in Seattle sports history. We'll talk to the team's coach. Cheaper Solar Power? Western Washington University researchers say they've come up with a solar power innovation ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Budget Woes: What are Your Priorities? The city of Seattle is facing a $67 million budget shortfall next year. Today we talk to Seattle's budget director, a business leader and a city hall reporter about what might get cut from city services. And we want to hear from you — what are your ideas and priorities for solving Seattle's budget woes? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'My Teenage Werewolf' Lauren Kessler writes about the transformations girls go through in adolescence, starting with her own daughter Lizzie. Join us with your stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Budget Cuts, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Elwha Dam Removal, And Washington Ferry Panel State Budget Cuts Looming: Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins brings us this report about the governor's new cuts to the state budget. Then we'll speak with the ranking Republican on the state House Ways and Means Committee. Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Today in Tacoma the government tries to make the case that Major Margaret Witt's lesbian relationship harms her military unit. KUOW's Amy Radil has the story. Elwha Dam Removal: Today heavy excavators begin re–routing the Elwha Rive ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Murray Vs. Rossi Senator Patty Murray and challenger Dino Rossi made a joint appearance before The Seattle Times editorial board last Friday. We'll hear extended excerpts and what you have to say about the race. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Through A Dog's Eyes Most dog training relies on dominance. But expert service dog trainer Jennifer Arnold says that approach is wrong. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Washington State's Ties To Vietnam Governor Chris Gregoire leaves on a trade mission to Asia Monday that includes Vietnam. We'll find out why Vietnam is on the tour and more about Washington state's links to it. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rossi And Murray Q-And-A, TechCrunch And Marijuana Reform Election 2010: Senator Patti Murray And Dino Rossi: The Seattle Times Editorial Board interviewed Senator Patti Murray and Dino Rossi this morning. We'll hear highlights from the first in–person encounter between the two candidates. Michael Arrington On Puget Sound Startups: Michael Arrington founded the influential website TechCrunch which covers technology and start–up companies. Time Magazine called him one of the world's most influential people. He recently relocated from ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website MOHAI Funding Negotiations, And Health Care System Gaps Bye–Bye to MOHAI? Seattle's Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) has to move to accommodate the new 520 bridge. But negotiations with the city over funding have gone awry. That could result in the museum closing — and not reopening. We'll talk to MOHAI's executive director and a spokesperson for Mayor Mike McGinn. Looking for Gaps in Health Care: Communication break downs, lost medical records and duplicated procedures can lead to serious gaps in coverage for patients. Group ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Debating The Death Penalty In Washington State Walla Walla prepares for the execution of convicted murder Cal Coburn Brown just after midnight tonight. This would be the first execution to take place in Washington state since 2001. KUOW's Patricia Murphy joins us live. Then we'll talk about the death penalty. Do you support it? Why or why not? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Great American Stickup In his new book, "The Great American Stickup," Robert Scheer traces the roots of the recent economic collapse back to Ronald Reagan's free–market rhetoric and Bill Clinton's support of banking deregulation. Sheer, the former national affairs correspondent and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, says candidate Obama had a clear–eyed view of the problem that President Obama lacks. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Campaign Finance Ruling, Age-Restricted Town Update, And Wealth Disparity Campaign Finance Ruling: A judge has overturned a Washington state law that limited campaign contributions to ballot measures during the final weeks of campaign season. We'll talk to the man who challenged the law — and who is challenging similar restrictions around the country. Age–Restricted Town Update: The community of Ryderwood has a built–in age restriction. You have to be 55 or older to live there. But some residents say that restriction is arbitrary, outdated a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Social Media Rules For Schools Schools around the state are putting together policies to regulate students' use of social media and other new technologies. They want to curb cyberbullying and other inappropriate behavior. But are these policies going too far? How do you make sure your kids don't misuse the Internet and hurt their classmates? Call us at 206.543.5869 or email "The Conversation." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Science Of Roommates The bonds and battles between college roommates can last a lifetime. We'll look at new research into the lasting impacts of roommates on our lives, and we'll hear from you: What's been your experience with roommates? Share your stories with us. Call 206.543.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nitrate Seepage, Mercer Construction, And HOT Lanes Nitrates Poisoning Families: A colorless, odorless poison is seeping into the water and sickening families in eastern Washington's Yakima Valley. Anna King has our report. Fixing The Mercer Mess: Seattle celebrates the groundbreaking of the Mercer Corridor construction project tomorrow. We'll find out what commuters need to know about the project's impact on construction. Life In The HOT Lane: One highway in Washington state allows solo drivers to buy their way into the high–occ ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Non-Stimulus Stimulus Plan President Obama proposes tax breaks and federal spending to get the economy moving again — just don't call it a stimulus plan. Is it the right approach? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Good Boss, Bad Boss Almost everyone over 30 has had to deal with a terrible boss at some point or another — whether it's a mean foreman who demands too much or an unmotivated slacker who shows no leadership. Tell us your story of bosses, good and bad. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teachers Union Votes, Recycling Rates, Unstoppable Storm Teachers Say "Yes" To A New Contract, "No Confidence" To Goodloe–Johnson: The Seattle school teachers union ratified a new contract and voted "no confidence" in Superintendent Maria Goodloe–Johnson Thursday. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports, and we find out what the school board makes of the votes. Slouching Towards the Recycling Bin: Seattle inches upward in its goal to recycle 60 percent of its waste. Where's the city falling down? Why don't p ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Music Industry Gets Ripped What's good for music isn't always what's good for the music industry. The digital revolution opened many doors for artists, but most big record companies are still fighting to preserve the old ways of doing business. Chicago Tribune music critic and public radio host Greg Kot looks at these changes in his new book "Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Best. Concert. Ever. Seattle gears up for a big music weekend with the Bumbershoot festival. What was the best concert you ever went to? What made it extraordinary? Chicago Tribune music critic and public radio host Greg Kot joins us to share stories. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website No Hate Crime Charges, A Seniors-Only Town, And Genetic Attraction No Hate Crime Charges For Seattle Cop: The King County Prosecutor's Office says it will not charge a Seattle Police detective who used racially charged language while kicking a Latino man in April. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports. We Just Want To Get Out Of Here: The unincorporated town of Ryderwood in Southwest Washington has only let seniors purchase homes since the 1950s. Now some residents want to sell their homes to people of all ages. A federal judge ruled they have the right to do ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website African-American Incarceration Rates And Social Justice African–Americans are seven times more likely to be in prison or jail than whites, and one in eight African–American men who drop out of high school end up in prison or jail. We'll talk to the author of a new study that looks at incarceration rates and their link to social inequality and hear from Washington state's corrections secretary and King County's prosecutor. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Depression In Preschoolers Research shows that very young children, preschool age, are suffering from severe depression. But there's debate over whether or not we should be diagnosing kids with this type of label so early. Can preschool kids be clinically depressed? We'll hear from a psychiatrist who studies it. Call in with your experience. Do you have a child you think may be suffering from depression? Were you diagnosed with depression at a young age? Tell us your story at 1.800.289.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wood Carver Shot By Police, Seattle Schools Lose Suit, And Island County Prosecutor Wood Carver Killed by Seattle Police Officer: A police officer shot and killed a man in downtown Seattle on Monday. Police say John T. Williams was holding a knife, which he used to whittle wood totems and walking sticks. Williams was a regular at the Chief Seattle Club in Pioneer Square, a social service agency that serves Native Americans. We'll hear from someone at the club who knew Williams. Seattle Schools Lose Lawsuit: A former vice principal has won nearly a million dollars in a ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website President Obama And The Drawdown In Iraq President Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office last night to formally announce the end of combat operations in Iraq. What did you make of his address? How do you feel about the drawdown of troops in Iraq? What do you think we've learned as a country from the mission there? Call us at 12:20: 866.289.5869. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Climatopolis' Matthew Kahn has made a list of the five US cities that he believes will be most resilient to climate change. Seattle's not on that list. Matthew Kahn is an economist and a professor at UCLA. He says cities around the globe will slowly adapt to our changing climate and those changes will have a big impact on our daily lives. He joins us. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Searching Student Cell Phones, Prisoners' Frogs, And Child Welfare Searching Student Cell Phones: The ACLU is questioning a proposed policy change by the Oak Harbor School District that would allow administrators to search student cell phones in cases of suspected cyber–bullying or other misconduct. We'll hear from the ACLU and from the school district. Prisoners Raise Frogs: The Oregon Zoo announced this month a $5,000 grant to go toward raising spotted frogs. The grant recipient? The Washington State Department of Corrections. KUOW's Sara Lerner ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Behaving On The Bus Officials and police in Pierce County begin an effort to crack down on rowdy behavior on public buses today. We'll find out how that county and others in our region handle disruptive riders and how drivers are trained to deal with them. Do you feel safe on the bus? What have you seen? Share your strategies for safe public travel. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Michael Chabon On Manhood Michael Chabon's 2000 novel "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. His most recent book is a more personal, nonfiction account of his life as a father, son and husband. It's called "Manhood for Amateurs." He swung by our studio when he was in Seattle last fall to chat with KUOW's Ross Reynolds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teacher Protest, Tallest Trees, Pike Place Executive, And Drug Rules Parents Protest Teacher's Rehiring: A teacher in Morton, Washington, who served time in jail for assaulting female students is back teaching this year. Parents are protesting the decision to rehire him. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. Pacific Northwest Tallest Forests In The World: Tall trees hold a lot of carbon, which keeps it out of the atmosphere, which slows climate change. But some forestry researchers at the University of Washington say older, taller trees aren't necessarily bet ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Primary Care Doctor Shortage The shortage of primary care doctors in this country is likely to get worse before it gets better. But still, many med students aren't choosing family practice. We'll talk to NPR reporter Julie Rovner about her series "Primary Care Under Pressure" and hear from Dr. Tom Greer, director of medical school education at the University of Washington's Department of Family Medicine. Why are fewer medical students choosing to become primary care doctors? How has primary care changed over ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Getting 'Down And Derby' Seattle's popular Rat City Rollergirls are part of a national roller derby revival. We hear about the history, culture, rules and personality of the sport from author Alex Cohen. She leads a double life — by day she is a public radio host. By night she is a roller derby girl named Axles of Evil. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Earmark Argument, Competing Cookouts, And Graffiti You Say Potato, I Say Pork Barrel: Washington's US Senate race is turning testy. The issue: money for special projects that members of Congress secure for projects in their home states. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins found out just how sensitive the issue is when he spoke to both candidates about it. A Tale Of Two Cookouts: Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas hosts his first "Salmon–Chanted Evening" Saturday at Victor Steinbrueck Park. He says he'll use most of the pr ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Home Loan Modification Runaround Part 1 The federal government designed a new program to help homeowners modify their loans and avoid foreclosure. But many who have applied for relief only find themselves more frustrated than ever. We'll hear why so many are getting the runaround from lenders, and we'll find out what you can do to improve your chances of success. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Home Loan Modification Part 2 And Your Letters Home Loan Modification Runaround Part 2: We continue our look into federal home loan modification program and take your calls. Listeners React To PSP Series: KUOW reporter John Ryan's series on the Puget Sound Partnership elicited responses from many listeners. We'll read your letters. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Health Care Costs, Whooping Cough, And Plastic Bag Ban Second Opinion On Health Care Costs: Many Americans get their health care through work. And usually about this time, employers — especially big companies — shop for medical insurance for next year's benefits package. Many are finding that their premium rates will go up. But as KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports, the reason for the rate hike depends on who you ask.Keeping Whooping At Bay: California health officials are battling an outbreak of whooping cough in their state. Thousands of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Up In The Air Rude passengers, fed–up flight staff and new security pat–downs: Air travel is certainly getting less boring these days. Patrick Smith of Salon's "Ask the Pilot" column joins us to answer your questions about working in the clouds. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Living In A Post-CARD Act World Credit card holders around the country have faced a flurry of notices lately announcing changes in service fees and interest rates as companies adjust to new industry regulations. New York Times' "Your Money" columnist Tara Siegel–Bernard explains what the new rules mean for you and answer your questions about credit and debt. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website City Job Plan, Storm Make Playoffs, Port CEO Pay Raise, And Income Tax Measure Wanted: A Job Plan That Works: The mayor unveiled his jobs plan yesterday. We'll get a reaction from George Allen of Seattle's Chamber of Commerce. Can The Storm Break The Curse? The Seattle Storm is heading to the playoffs again tonight to face their rivals, the LA Sparks. They've had a record–breaking season. We'll get a preview of tonight's game with WNBA reporter, Jayda Evans. No Pay For Tay: The Port of Seattle Commission has decided against voting on a possible 4 percent p ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Huskies Pride, Community's Disgrace The University of Washington's successful football season in 2000 led it to a Rose Bowl victory, but at what cost? Two Seattle Times reporters expose the crime, the cover ups and the complicity that marred the team's triumphs that year in their book "Scoreboard, Baby." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Same Name, Different Paths In 2000, Baltimore student Wes Moore was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The same day, police sought another Wes Moore suspected in a botched robbery where a police officer was killed. Wes Moore, the White House Fellow and business leader, tells us how he got to know the Wes Moore now serving a life sentence without parole. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website End Of The Line, Vanishing Gas, And Too Much Of A Fresh Thing End Of The Line? A federal judge has ruled against President Obama's decision to expand stem cell research. We'll find out what this could mean for research at the University of Washington. Vanishing Gas: There's a helium shortage! What's going to happen to balloons? Too Much Of A Fresh Thing? There are 19 farmers markets in Seattle and more neighborhoods want them. But are there enough farmers? Chris Curtis of Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website To Be, Or Not To Be A Library Seattle's public libraries are about to close for one week as a cost–saving measure. What will that mean to you? We'll hear from Seattle's City Librarian Susan Hildreth. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Not Eat Pray Love, But Read Write Talk Roy Peter Clark advocates a do–it–yourself stance toward language: adopt a letter of the alphabet, and become your own lexicographer by investigating the specialized language of soccer clubs and gay bars. Roy Peter Clark, the author of "The Glamour of Grammar," explains. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Apple Tariffs, Illegal Ice Cream Trucks, And Muscle Memory New Tariff Upsets Washington Applecart: A new tariff on Washington apples may cost state growers up to $44 million. We talk to the state's Apple Commission about the beef over produce with Mexico. I Scream, You Scream For Illegal Ice Cream? Roving ice cream trucks are illegal in Seattle, but the city may change that in its new food cart policy. Gary Johnson, Center City coordinator for the Department of Planning and Development, is leading the charge. No More Gym? Don't Worry, Your Mu ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Homeless In Seattle What should Seattle's policy on homeless camps be? What's the city's role in ending homelessness? Member of Mayor Mike McGinn's panel on homelessness discuss the issues. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website If You'd Like To Hear A Segment On Customer Service, Please Press One Emily Yellin joins us to talk about the ever changing world of customer service. She's author of "Your Call Is (Not That) Important to Us." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Clint Didier, Troops Redeploy, Washington Smokes, And Local Little Leaguers Didier Doesn't Endorse Rossi: Tea Party–endorsed Senate candidate Clint Didier made his concession speech this morning, but stopped short of throwing his support behind fellow Republican Dino Rossi. We talk to a political scientist about what this could mean for the US Senate race. Troops Return, Others Redeploy: Even as some troops return from Iraq, others are being redeployed to Afghanistan. KUOW's Austin Jenkins reports. Washington Butts Out: Washington state trails the nation ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Looking For A Great Deal In tough economic times, we're all on the lookout for a bargain. Where do you get the best deals? Are you all about the coupons? How about the Groupons? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Inside The Puget Sound Partnership Part IV And The Dead's Management Secrets Cleaning Up With Political Connections: State auditors reported in May that the Puget Sound Partnership had distributed millions of dollars in consulting contracts unfairly. KUOW found no–bid contracts going to people who had worked with the agency director's father, Congressman Norm Dicks. KUOW's John Ryan has part four of our series Inside the Puget Sound Partnership. Management Secrets Of The Grateful Dead: Many people associate the Grateful Dead with tie–dye, drugs and en ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Family Ties At The PSP, Tamil Asylum Seekers In British Columbia Puget Sound Partnership Jobs Have Family Connections: Washington Congressman Norm Dicks has steered millions of dollars in federal money to the Puget Sound Partnership, the agency led by his son David Dicks. Is there a conflict between family interests and the public interest? KUOW's John Ryan has Part 3 of our series "Inside The Puget Sound Partnership." A Chilly Welcome For Tamil Asylum Seekers In British Columbia: After crossing the Pacific Ocean from Sri Lanka to Vancouver, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Twentysomethings: Arrested Adolescents or Emerging Adults? People in their 20s are changing careers frequently and moving around a lot. They're marrying later, if they marry at all. Psychologist Jeffrey Arnett says they're not extending adolescence. They're in a new life stage he calls emerging adulthood. Is this really a new life stage? How do you know when you're an adult? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Full-Body Scanners Come To Sea-Tac Beginning next month, you'll have a choice when you get to security at Sea–Tac airport: Get a full body scan or get frisked. Which will you choose? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wash. Primary And Puget Sound Agency Director's Car Use Investigated Primary Results: Amy Radil reports on Tuesday's primary election, and we'll parse the results with KUOW's Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins. Puget Sound Agency Director's Car Use Investigated: In part two of John Ryan's series on the Puget Sound Partnership he takes a close look at the private use of a public vehicle by the agency's leader. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Islam In America And The Ground Zero Mosque The so–called ground zero mosque is neither at ground zero nor a mosque. We'll talk about that and Islam in America with Islamic studies scholar and former ambassador Akbar Ahmed. He's the author of "Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Running Out Of Water? Look at Earth from outer space and water is everywhere. But only 3 percent is drinkable. The former general manager of San Francisco Utilities Commission Susan Leal is co–author of a new book on the finite quality of water. The book addresses where shortages are already occurring and where they're likely to happen in the future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Evaluating Teachers, Geothermal Energy, And Prison Crowding Evaluating Teachers, Part II: Yesterday we heard why the Seattle School District wants to use student performance in teacher evaluations. Today teacher's union president Olga Addae explains why they oppose the idea. Geothermal Energy In Washington? The Snohomish County PUD is exploring the use of clean, renewable geothermal power near Skykomish. Prison Crowding: Inmates in US prisons are getting older. Some are kept in elderly wards, like at Washington's Coyote Ridge Corrections Center ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Whistle-Blowing, The Real Quileute, And Critter Roundup Whistle–Blowing And The Puget Sound Partnership: Did a whistle–blower get fired over the accusation that a Puget Sound Partnership employee was doing political work on public time? Part I of John Ryan's series on political back–scratching at the agency responsible for cleaning up the Sound. The Real Quileute: With the international success of the "Twilight" series of books and movies, the Quileute Indian Tribe found themselves suddenly thrust into the spotlight ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'Common As Air' Ideas and creativity used to be in physical containers: books, photographs and movies. But in the digital era these intellectual expressions can be endlessly and easily copied. Who owns the ideas now? Writer and MacArthur Fellow Lewis Hyde explores the idea of an intellectual commons in his new book "Common as Air." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Evaluating Teachers, Sickened By School Carpet Evaluating Teachers: Seattle Public Schools is considering a new way of evaluating teachers. Part of the new system would link student performance to teacher evaluation. It's still in negotiation with the teacher's union. Dr. Susan Enfield, chief academic officer for Seattle Public Schools, joins us to explain. Sickened By School Carpet: Seattle's Southshore school reopens next month. The new building was shutdown last April following complaints it was making people sick. Phyllis Fletc ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Kessler On Health Care The health insurance reform package approved by Congress and signed by President Obama is going into effect. Do you have questions about how it might affect you? Larry Kessler, chair of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health, has some answers. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Spending And Happiness How does spending affect happiness? We'll hear from a Portland woman who's limiting herself to owning just 100 things. We'll also talk with a professor who studies spending and happiness. And we want to hear from you. How do your spending habits affect your state of mind? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Low-Income Housing, Medical Errors, Smarter Parking Low–Income Housing: Washington state has spent nearly a billion dollars on low income housing in the past 20 years. The problem is now there's no money for upkeep. KUOW's Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports. Medical Errors Now Online: The state launches a website this week that reports medical errors at Washington hospitals. What does it tell us, and what does it leave out? We take a closer look with a University of Washington professor of medicine. Smarter Parking In S ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ending Weekly Trash Pickup? Seattle officials are considering changing garbage pickup from every week to every other week in four neighborhoods. If it's successful, everyone in the city would get garbage pickup half as often. The goal is reduce waste. City Councilmember Mike O'Brien explains. What do you think of the proposal? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Color Me, Color You Blue is the ocean and a businessman's dress shirts. Pink is breast cancer and men's underwear at Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Arizona prison. What are the stories behind the colors in your life? How do colors influence you? How do marketers, designers and movie makers try to influence you through color? What do different colors mean to you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Governor's Budget Plans, Initiative Forecasts, And Perseid Meteor Showers Washington Dodges A Budget Bullet, For Now: Governor Chris Gregoire held a press conference today to announce that the state has dodged a bullet with it the current budget defecit. But more cuts are on the way. Counting The Costs Of Initiatives: The State Office of Financial Management has issued hard numbers on the impact of ballot initiatives to privatize liquor sales and impose an income tax on high earners. But do their numbers tell the whole story? Meteor Showers: If the skies sta ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your (Big) Logo Here A measure to allow more corporate logos on downtown buildings is working its way through the Seattle City Council. What do you think? Should building owners be able to put whatever they want on their property? Or will logos mar Seattle's internationally recognizable skyline? Comments on the proposed amendment to the sign code can be emailed to Art Pederson at art.pederson@seattle.gov Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Death Of The Phone Call? Talking on the phone may be going out of style. Over the last two years, the average number of cell phone minutes used by 18– to 34–year–olds has dropped 25 percent. We talk to a Wired magazine editor who says he welcomes the "death of the phone call." We want to hear from you: Are your phone habits changing? Are you talking less and texting or emailing more? How is this affecting your relationships? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website New Seattle Tax District, New Fishing Regulations, And Slow Quake New Seattle Tax District? Seattle has many transportation goals but not enough money to pay for them. City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen proposes creating a transportation taxing district that would let the city increase property and sales taxes and boost car–tab fees. Teach A Man To Fish: There's a plan to change the way fish are harvested on the West Coast. We'll hear how it will work and why some worry about the new approach. Slow Quake: There's a slow moving earthquake mov ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Drinking On The Road To Recovery Seattle is a pioneer is so–called wet houses — places where low–income and homeless alcoholics can come in from the street but are still allowed to drink. Advocates say they put residents in touch with treatment options, but skeptics think it's a dangerous approach. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website When Facts Get In The Way Researchers say people don't usually change their opinions, even after presented with new facts. What does this mean for the future of a democracy that's based on a well–informed citizenry? What does it mean for the role of journalism in our culture? Today we talk to a leading researcher and a journalist who have been exploring these questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Referendum 52: School Building Improvement Proposal Referendum 52 would authorize the state to borrow money to pay for weatherizing schools. Backers say it will save the state $126 million a year in energy costs. Opponents say it would add to the state's bond debt and indefinitely extend the new tax on bottled water. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lynwood Mayor Under Fire, Crack Pipe Exchange, And Glowing Seafood Lynwood Mayor Under Fire: The Lynwood City Council called on the mayor to resign yesterday. We'll find out why. Seattle's Crack Pipe Exchange: For 20 years the University District needle exchange has offered clean syringes to drug addicts to prevent the spread of HIV. Now they've started giving out crack pipes too. KUOW's Patricia Murphy explains. Glow–In–The–Dark Seafood: Cases of glowing seafood have been cropping up all over Oregon. Some people are worried that the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Teacher Evaluations And Student Performance Seattle school district officials believe teachers should be evaluated, at least partly, based on how well their students perform. But many teachers think that's unfair. What do you think? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hanford Safety, Value Of Seattle Trees, Rural Broadband Hanford Safety Concerns: A former upper level manager at Hanford says he lost his job after raising safety concerns. Anna King reports. Value Of Seattle Trees: How much are Seattle's trees worth? How do they reduce carbon dioxide and absorb storm water to keep it out of sewer treatment plans? A group of researchers look to put a dollar amount on the urban forest. Broadband In Rural Washington: Billions of dollars in economic stimulus money are going to improve rural broadband service arou ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Cost Of Eating Healthy The price of healthy foods is increasing faster than the price of unhealthy foods according to a new University of Washington study. We take a closer look with the lead researcher and we'll talk to an expert on how to keep food costs down and nutrition up. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Verbal Judo Verbal judo is a technique police officers learn to defuse tense confrontations. Why is it necessary? How does it work? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Worker Furlough, Supreme Court Candidate Debate, And Craigslist Scams Furlough Day Savings Disputed: Today is a furlough day for many state workers. But are the savings being negated by overtime? KUOW's Amy Radil reports. High Court Candidates Square Off: Tacoma attorney Stan Rumbaugh is challenging Justice Jim Johnson for a seat on the State Supreme Court in the upcoming primary. A recent debate reveals that the candidates differ sharply on social issues. Wanted: Suckers For Rental Scam: A lot of people turn to Craigslist in their search for a place to ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Was The Iraq War Worth It? President Obama announced the withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq by the end of this month as promised. What now? Has the war benefitted the Iraqi people? Has the war advanced US interests? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata Nick Licata joins us to discuss key issues facing the Seattle City Council, including the debate over the deep–bore tunnel and a looming budget shortfall. Call in with your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Budget Crisis Averted, Meet The Bankers, Postman Protest, And Mac McElroy Infusion Of Cash Staves Off Crisis: Washington's state budget crisis is averted – for now. Tom Banse reports how a vote in the US Senate will affect this state. Putting A Face To Loan Modification: Homeowners on the brink of foreclosure get a chance to meet the lenders to work out their loans. Neither Rain Nor Snow Can keep Away The Postman, But How About Saturdays? Letter carriers protest against a plan to stop Saturday mail delivery. 34th Legislative District Candidate Mac McE ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Favorite - And Least Favorite - Public Art Where's your favorite public art in Seattle? Your least favorite? Call and tell us about some of the best–but–least–known works around town. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website That's An Awful Book, You're A Terrible Person The books on our shelves are an extension of ourselves — our 'personal brands,' if you will. At least, some see it that way. Have you ever judged someone by the book they're reading? Did you find yourself attracted to or repelled by someone based on their literary tastes? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Spokane Budget Woes, The 8th Congressional District, And A Defaced Mural More Budget Woes For Spokane: Facing a $12 million budget deficit, the city of Spokane may soon be handing out more than 100 pink slips, unless unions agree to renegotiate contracts. Love In The Race: 8th Congressional District candidate Caleb Love Mardini explains why he thinks he can defeat incumbent Dave Reichert. Painting Over History: A building owner in Seattle's Central District reluctantly paints over a historic mural of three prominent black leaders. Joy Ma reports. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Craving Tax-Free Candy Initiative 1107 would repeal the candy and bottled water sales tax imposed by the state Legislature earlier this year. We'll hear from an advocate and opponent. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Report Card University of Washington President Mark Emmert leaves for his new job leading the NCAA later this summer. We'll conduct the exit interview. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Summertime Budget Blues, Seattle Tunnel News, And Adult Family Homes Summertime Budget Blues: There's a good chance Washington state will face another budget crisis this summer. Should Governor Gregoire make across–the–board cuts? Or should the state Legislature go to back to Olympia to sort it out in special sessions? The ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Joe Zarelli, weighs in. McGinn v. City Council On The Deep-Bore Tunnel: Mayor McGinn is responding this morning to the City Council's vote to move forward on the tunne ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Super Sad True Love Story Gary Shteyngart's new novel is set in a dystopian future where social media websites have replaced reading, the United States is a former superpower and your credit rating is a publicly displayed sign. Shteyngart joins us to talk about the challenge of writing satire when reality seems like parody. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Polio 101 Polio has been 99 percent eradicated according to the World Health Organization. But polio is still very real and devastating for people in some regions of Africa and southwest Asia. The good news? Scientists say polio could be wiped out completely in the near future. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tea Partiers, Deadly Manure, And Adult Homes Tea Partiers For US Senate: The Tea Party–backed candidates trying to unseat Senator Patty Murray face an uphill slog. Austin Jenkins reports. Deadly Manure: Organic farmers in Whatcom County say they are experiencing severe crop damage because the manure and compost they use is tainted with herbicides. Adult Family Homes: KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports on adult family homes in Washington state. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Your Best (Or Worst) Neighbor Ever National Night Out is tomorrow evening. It's an annual event designed to encourage us to be neighborly, and to nurture police–community partnership. Who was the best neighbor you even had? How about the worst neighbor? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Education Reform With Diane Ravitch After 40 years of studying, administering and writing about public education, Diane Ravitch realized she was wrong about some of her core beliefs. She began to question the benefits of testing and the use of market solutions in education. The former assistant secretary of education explains her change of heart. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Deep-Bore Tunnel Vote, Olympia Politics, Seattle Police Department On Art Deep–Bore Tunnel Vote And Olympia Politics: Mayor McGinn says he supports a public vote on the deep–bore tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. But if Seattle votes and if Seattle rejects the tunnel, what happens to the $2.8 billion the state allocated for the project? Seattle Police On Art: An art installation at 23rd and Union has been dismantled under pressure from Seattle police. Police officials say there were complaints. Cars To Stop Themselves: Volvo shows off a n ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website How Do You Rate President Obama? Barack Obama's approval rating is down in Washington state. Why? What do you think of President Obama's performance in office? What's he been doing on the issues that are important to you? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cooking Dirty Jason Sheehan went from being a kitchen line mercenary to a restaurant reviewer for the Seattle Weekly. We'll talk to him about the transformation and about Seattle restaurants. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lethal Injection, Hawaiian Trash, Quake Closure System, Basque Resurgence Lethal Injection Challenge Dismissed: The Washington Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the state's death penalty method — lethal injection — clearing the way for Cal Coburn Brown to be executed in September. We'll get an update on the ruling from KUOW reporter Patricia Murphy. Refusing Hawaiian Refuse: Environmentalists and the Yakama Nation are suing over a plan to ship garbage from Hawaii to Washington state. Viaduct Earthquake Closure System: The Alaskan Way Vi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Do You Buy Art? A Seattle man decided that, rather than blowing a lot of money on a 60th birthday party for his wife, he'd commission a work art for her. As KUOW's Marcie Sillman reports, that was just the beginning. Do you buy art? If you do, what art do you buy and what do you get out of it? Do you buy art to please your soul? Or to match the drapes? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cold: Adventures In The World's Frozen Places "Our world warms but cold remains," writes Bill Streever, biologist and outdoorsman, in "Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places." We'll talk to him from Anchorage about how animals adapt, soil changes, and humans have survived in the coldest places on earth. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Loses Race To The Top And The Future Of Houseboats In Seattle State Loses Race To The Top: Washington state failed to make the finals in the Federal Race to the Top competition for education funding. What does this show? Is Washington not trying hard enough to reform? Or is our approach better than Race to the Top? Future Of Seattle's Houseboats: Seattle planners are considering rules to ban new houseboats. Is the romance of "Sleepless in Seattle" on the way out? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Insurance Reform And Washington State The health insurance reform package passed by Congress this year means major changes for health care. Washington Insurance Commission Mike Kreidler will explain the state's role and answer your other insurance questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Managing Online Reputations Managing your public and private identity in the age of Facebook and Twitter can get tricky. How do you build your online reputation? How do you defend it? We speak to an online privacy and reputation expert and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Tunnel Contracts Delayed, And Pesticide Regulations Tunnel Contracts Delayed: The Seattle City Council moves to sign an agreement for the construction of a tunnel to replace the Alaska Way Viaduct, while at the same time avoiding a mayoral veto and public vote. KUOW's Deborah Wang will give us an update on the latest machinations in the political dispute over replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Another Perspective On Pesticide Regulation: The State Department of Agriculture says new federal regulations on pesticide use could prevent farmers ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Privatizing Liquor There are two initiatives on the ballot to privatize the sale of liquor in Washington state. Why should the state get out of the liquor business? What's the difference between the two measures and what happens if both pass? We get the details. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Race For District 34 Three candidates are vying for the 34th District State House seat, which includes West Seattle, White Center and Burien. We'll meet the candidates. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lynnwood Police Cuts, Pesticide Regulations, And Textbook Costs Police Cuts In Lynnwood? Major budget woes in Lynwood could lead to cuts in the city police force. Pesticides Lawsuit And Washington Farms: Farm advocates worry that new regulations on some pesticides could render 75 percent of Washington state farmlands unusable. We'll find out why. Texbook Costs: New federal regulations started this month to keep down the cost of textbooks for college students. Meanwhile some local schools are experimenting with loaning out textbooks so students don't ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wikileaks And National Security The website Wikileaks has released thousands of confidential documents about the Afghan war. Is this important information for the public to have? Should the military keep anything secret? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Shorter Summer Vacation For Kids? Educators say one reason US students aren't keeping up with the rest of the world is that they're not in school long enough. They want more school and less summer vacation. What do you think of that? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Climate Bill Fails, And Prenatal Ethics Climate Bill Runs Out of Gas: The US Senate is shelving a climate bill passed by the House last year. Where does this leave efforts to control climate change in the US? We'll talk to a local climate policy advocate. Prenatal Ethics Conference: As medical science advances, physicians and parents of premature babies face difficult questions. Ethicists, neonatologists and doctors from around the world take up these same questions and their wider implications at a conference that kicks off tod ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website I-1053: Two-Thirds For Tax Increases If Washington voters approve Initiative 1053, state legislators would need a 2/3 majority to pass tax increases. The initiative is sponsored by Washington anti–tax crusader Tim Eyman, who says it will stop tax hikes. Opponents of the measure say it threatens to bring state government to a halt. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Return Of The King By 1967, Elvis Presley was burned out by too much formulaic music. But he had one memorable revival of creative energy before leaving the building forever. Seattle music journalist Gillian Gaar joins us to talk about her new book "The Return of the King." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Stryker Brigade Returns, Plate Scofflaws To Pay, Graduation Rates Stryker Brigade Comes Home: There is a welcome home ceremony for the 4,000 members of the U.S. Army's 5th Stryker brigade, returning from a year long deployment in Afghanistan. Austin Jenkins reports that while many families rejoice, others grieve. Cracking Down On Plate Scofflaws: Some Clark County residents are slapping Oregon plates on their cars because it's cheaper to register a car there. Some of them are getting $1000 tickets. We'll check in the Washington State Patrol officer in cha ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Home Ownership And The American Dream In the wake of the housing bubble and subsequent crash, the Obama Administration is starting to deemphasize home ownership as the only goal for federal public housing policy. The new focus is on renters. Is a fundamental shift underway in how American's thinking about housing? Is homeownership still central to your American Dream? What are your personal housing goals? If you don't own a home do you aspire to one day? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Senate Candidate Paul Akers Paul Akers is an entrepreneur running for the US Senate against Patty Murray. He opposes extending unemployment benefits, same–sex marriage, and affirmative action. He says global warming is part of the natural cycle and climate researchers are not scientists. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fire Season Preview, Murray On Yucca Mountain, And Free Trees Fire Season: The Western United States are entering fire season. We'll find out what the conditions are like this year, how the threat compares to previous seasons, and how budget cuts are affecting wildfire suppression efforts. Senator Murray On Yucca Mountain, Nuclear Waste: The Obama administration wants to stop plans to create a nuclear disposal site at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Washington Senator Patty Murray says she's fighting to restore money for the project. Free Trees For Seat ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean joins us to talk about the state of his department, the lessons learned from the recent fatal fire in Fremont, and if the city's budget woes affect firefighting efforts. He'll also answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Going Back To Summer Camp Did you go to summer camp? Call in with your stories of summer camp, what camp taught you, and observations on how summer camp has changed over the years. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Sales Tax, Babies Addicted To Prescription Drugs, And Online High Sales Tax: The King County Council is putting a sales tax increase on the ballot for voters to decide in November. We take a closer look. Babies Addicted To Prescription Drugs: More babies are being born with addictions to prescription pain killers. How are they treated? Online High: Some school districts are running online high schools. We'll learn how it works. Bodies Ban: The Seattle City Council approves a ban on the Bodies Exhibition. We have an update. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Deep-Bore Tunnel 101 We review the recent history of the proposal to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep–bore tunnel. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website The Deep-Bore Tunnel And You We review the recent history of the proposal to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep–bore tunnel. We want to hear what you have to say about the project. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Suspicious Smell, Biomass In Washington State, And Redheads What's That Smell? A smell suspected of emanating from the Cedar Grove composting site is bedeviling Marysville residents. Biomass In Washington State: Biomass energy is created from burning forest waste wood that might otherwise lead to wildfires. But as Doug Nadvornick reports, the economics of biomass energy aren't working out. Redheads Break Record: Over the weekend, a Sammamish photographer tried to establish a world record for the number of redheads in one place. Rachel Solomon br ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website I-1098: High Earners Income Tax For Washington? Should Washington state impose an income tax on high earners? The citizens' initiative goes to the voters this November. We'll hear a debate. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ban Bodies? The Seattle City Council is considering a ban on the controversial Bodies exhibit. Critics question the source of the cadavers. We talk to the resolution sponsor Nick Licata and we want to hear from you: What do you think? Have you seen the exhibit? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Financial Reform, Tunnel Wars, And Petition Fraud Historic Financial Reform Law Passes: Congress passed a landmark financial reform bill yesterday aimed at protecting consumers and preventing another economic meltdown. We'll hear what Senator Patty Murray had to say about the legislation today and get a perspective from economist Dean Baker. Tunnel Wars Continue: A consultant hired by Mayor Mike McGinn calls the Alaskan Way Viaduct tunnel replacement unprecedented and therefore risky. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. Petition Signature Fraud: The ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Americans With Disabilities Act Turns 20 The Americans With Disabilities Act turns 20 years old this year. Are we doing enough to make workplaces and public areas accessible? We'll explore the current state of disability rights with University of Washington law professor Paul Steven Miller, a nationally recognized expert on disability and employment discrimination law. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Cornel West On Religion, Academics And Life We listen back to our conversation with Dr. Cornel West about how he reconciles his deep belief in Jesus Christ with his love of academic inquiry. The Princeton professor's latest book is "Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir." Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website A Tunnel Vote, Petition Costs, Painkiller Deaths, And Lavender Fest A Public Vote On The Tunnel? Critics of the deep–bore tunnel, including Mayor Mike McGinn, are exploring a ballot measure on the project. We talk to a Sierra Club activist. The Cost Of Petition Signatures: Signatures, $6 apiece. Austin Jenkins reports what it costs to get a measure on Washington's ballot. Painkiller Deaths Up In Washington State: A new report shows accidental deaths from painkiller overdoses, for people ages 35 to 54 in Washington state, now account for more death ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Initiative 1082: Privatizing Workers' Comp In Washington Should Washington state's workers' comp program be partly privatized? That's the question that will face voters this fall with Initiative 1082. We'll hear from advocates for each side. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Women, Money And Retirement Women face different issues when it comes to money and retirement. Women are in the work force for less time than men and they live longer. Today we'll hear what research into human behavior tells us about women's relationship to money. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Liquor And Nightlife Liquor and Nightlife: We talk to the Liquor Control Board about what Mayor Mike McGinn's new nightlife ordinance. Pharmacy Board Policy Change: We talk to Planned Parenthood about the State Pharmacy Board's reversal its policy on pharmacies dispensing Plan B birth control. Unions React To Salary Freeze: How are labor unions reacting to King County Executive Dow Constantine's proposal to freeze salaries? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Fun Forest Future What should replace the Fun Forest at Seattle Center? We'll hear from the groups vying with plans for the space and take your calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Bars Open All Night? Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's new nightlife plan would allow bars to stay open later, maybe even all night. It might be good for nightclubs. Is it good for the neighbors? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Hanford Plutonium Levels Reevaluated, Ocean Acidification, And Parkour Park Seattle City Council Prepares To Vote Again On Tunnel: The fight over the tunnel is heating up again, as Seattle's City Council prepares to vote in the coming weeks on whether to approve the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports. Study Shows Three Times More Plutonium To Cleanup At Hanford: A new study of nuclear waste is shifting some basic assumptions about how long it will take to clean up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The research of sites across the country ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Summer Jobs For Teens High unemployment rates are affecting summer jobs for teens. Summer work is important not just for a paycheck, it also eases young people into work life. We talk it over with Marlena Sessions, CEO of the workforce development council of Seattle King County. And we want to hear from you: What did you learn from your summer job as a teen or young adult? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website 'The Renegade Sportsman' Zach Dundas Fed up with the sports industrial complex, Zach Dundas set out to search for the underbelly of do-it-yourself sporting events. He ended up uncovering many sporting subcultures. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Pre-existing Conditions Covered, Haiti Update And Seattle Sewage Upgrade New Insurance Coverage For Pre–existing Conditions: The new federal health care law allows patients to sign up for an insurance plan that will cover them even if they have a pre–existing medical condition. Washington state residents will be able to sign up for coverage this fall. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler gives us the details. Haiti Update — Relief Efforts Continue: It's been six months since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. We'll check in with aid ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Storm Hits KUOW The Seattle Storm has the best record in the WNBA. The Storm won the championship in 2004, but every year since then they lost in the first round. Forward Swin Cash and Guard Sue Bird played in the all–star game this weekend. They'll join us to talk about the season, the team and the game they love, and they answer your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Advice You Wish You'd Gotten Teen fugitive Colton Harris–Moore has been caught. Earlier, his mom advised him to only steal two–engine planes. What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were younger? What advice do you wish you had taken? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Lost Beach, Low Tide, And Red Raspberries Lost Beach: For about 100 years, a 2.5 mile stretch of beach in Pierce County has been cut off from the public by a bunch of railroad tracks. Now the county is building a bridge to the beach to give the public access again. We'll get the story. Lowest Tides: Puget Sound beaches see the lowest tides of the Summer this weekend. We'll talk to a beach naturalist about what can be found when you wander out on tidal flats. Hot Times In The Raspberry Fields: The summer started out cold and wet, on ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website US Education Secretary Arne Duncan And AFT President Randi Weingarten US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is in town to highlight innovation in education. We'll ask him about merit pay for teachers and standardized testing. One of the biggest teachers unions is also in Seattle this week, gathering for its annual conference. We'll talk to the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to find out why some in her organization see the Obama administration as a huge disappointment. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why College Kids Are Studying Less College students today study a lot less than their counterparts did in the early 1960s according to a new study. We'll get the details of the study, and we want to hear from you. Why do you think students aren't hitting the books as hard? How much are college students studying? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Wage Cuts Proposed For King County, And Cameras For Cops Proposed King County Wage Cuts: Two King County Council members propose methods to cut back wages for union workers during tough economic times. We'll hear from Kathy Lambert and Bob Ferguson. Cop Body Cams: Smile! You're on SPDTV! KUOW's Deborah Wang reports on the Seattle City Council proposal to put body cameras on all police officers to record what they see. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Didier For Senate Clint Didier (Republican) is running for the US Senate against Dino Rossi and incumbent Patty Murray. Didier's an Eastern Washington farmer and former professional football player with two Super Bowl Rings. He also has Sarah Palin's endorsement. Didier explains why he thinks he's the best choice the US Senate and he takes your phone calls. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Nude Beach For Seattle? The Seattle Parks Department met recently with nude beach advocates. Should Seattle have an official nude beach? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Insuring Overruns On Seattle Tunnel And How Cell Phones Effect Polling Performance Bonds Too Low?: Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien says the bonds to ensure completion of the tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct are too low to ensure protection from cost overruns. Cell Phones And Polling: There are no phone directories for cell phones. So how can pollsters get accurate information when so many members of the public are hard for them to reach? A new Pew Research Center study finds that landline surveys skip over a significant portion of the popula ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens The Seattle City Council is considering changes to the rules regarding urban chicken farming. The changes could allow more hens per household, but outlaw roosters altogether. We want to hear your stories of urban farming. Do you have chickens? Do your neighbors have chickens? What do you think of the trend? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Rick Larsen's Reelection Bid Elections are on the horizon. Congressman Rick Larsen of Washington's 2nd District explains why he thinks he deserves a sixth term in office. He's likely to face Republican John Koster in November. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website King County Considers Tax Hikes, And Public Hearing For Fun Forest King County Considers Tax Hikes: This afternoon King County will discuss three possible sales–tax increase proposals for the November ballot to help close a $60 million budget shortfall. We'll take a closer look at the proposals and the politics behind them with Publicola's Erica Barnett. Public Hearing For Fun Forest: A meeting Wednesday night will allow the public to weigh–in on replacing Seattle Center's Fun Forest. Proposals range from green space and cultural programs, t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Discovery Of America Alexis de Toqueville's 190–year–old "Democracy in America" offers remarkable insight into the character of the United States. Harvard professor Leo Damrosch tells the story behind de Toqueville's remarkable journey. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Ask The Program Director KUOW program director Jeff Hansen explains how he makes decisions and answers your questions about public radio. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website State Of The Economy, Cell Phones In Emergencies, World's Fair Mascot State Of The Economy: President Obama says the economy is headed in the right direction. Really? We'll get a perspective, including the outlook for Washington state's economy. Cell Phone Network Reliability: How will the cell phone system hold up in an emergency like an earthquake or other major disaster? KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher reports. World's Fair Mascot Contest: Plans are already underway for the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. Organizers want ideas for a mascot. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Puzzling The Puzzle Master NPR puzzle master and New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz is in Seattle this weekend for (surprise) the annual convention of the National Puzzlers' League, the world's oldest puzzlers' organization. It's been around since 1883. Shortz will talk about crosswords, word puzzles, logic puzzles and answer your questions. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Does Patriotism Mean To You? As we head into the July 4 holiday, we're asking what patriotism means to you. My country right or wrong? Defending the Constitution? How do you practice patriotism? By serving in the military? Protesting in the street? Voting? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Compostable Containers, Tough Budget Choices In Western Washington Compostable To Go: Today a new Seattle law requiring compostable containers for takeout food at restaurants goes into effect. What are the implications for restaurant owners? Property Tax Delinquencies In Kitsap County: In Kitsap County property tax delinquencies are putting a pressure on the budget. Officials are considering asking voters to approve tax hikes, and department heads are bracing for cuts. We'll talk to the county's budget officer. Tough Budget Choices in Puyallup: Puyallu ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Two Views Of Life In Congo 'Ruined': The Pulitzer Prize winning play for drama last year was called 'Ruined.' It's set in an African brothel in the crossfire of the war–torn Democratic Republic of Congo. 'Ruined' opens at the Intiman Theater tomorrow. We'll hear from the playwright Lynn Nottage, a MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship winner. Miner: Fidele Musafiri is a freelance miner in lawless eastern Congo. He barely makes a living mining coltan, a high–demand mineral found in cell phones and laptops. The ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Why Being Wrong Is Right Centuries before Descartes wrote "I think, therefore I am," Augustine wrote "I err, therefore I am." Journalist and former Grist editor Kathryn Schulz explains why being wrong is not just part of being alive, but in some ways proof that you are alive in her brilliant new book. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Postponed Energy Requirements, Opting Out On Phone Books, And Fan Protests Gregoire Postpones Energy Efficient Building Requirements: This week, Washington state had planned to implement regulations that require new buildings to be more energy efficient. But as the construction industry suffers under the weight of the sagging economy, Governor Gregoire wants to postpone the tougher requirements. Phone Book? No Thank You: Phone books often go straight into the recycling bin. What if you could avoid receiving yours in the first place? Seattle may hire a company to ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website Keeping The 'Great' In The Great Outdoors Thursday evening federal officials will host a public discussion in Seattle about the Pacific Northwest's natural spaces. The federal government wants to know how to get more people outside, and make sure the outdoors remains enjoyable for everyone. We'll have a preview. What are your recommendations? Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website What Are Your Rules For Eating Meat? Are you a meat eater? How do you negotiate the ethical, environmental and health issues that surround meat? Perhaps you only eat meat from certain sources, or only eat certain types of meat. Or perhaps you eat anything and everything! Do you forego meat entirely? Tell us your personal guidelines for buying, preparing and eating meat. Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website