Seattle Now

4.2 earthquake is felt throughout the region, SPD's interim chief wants to staff up enforcement on gun violence, and PSE is asking regulators for a major increase in utility rates. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. The interview in today's episode was produced by John O'Brien. Vote for Seattle Now to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award! We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the first day of school, district officials in Seattle quietly rolled out a new policy. Elementary school students will now get 30 minutes of recess. For some kids, that’s less time than what they’ve had in the past, and some parents aren’t happy about it. Noel Gasca covers education for KUOW and talked with us about the new policy. Information about tonight's community engagement meeting with Superintendent Ben Shuldiner can be found here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim Malcolm, a KUOW journalist covering Pacific Northwest politics and civic life, and Cornell Clayton, a Washington State constitutional scholar, join a brisk news roundup. Topics include Christopher Leahy’s continued mental health treatment, wildfire aid and threats to drinking water, Seattle’s rising minimum wage, a Boeing 737 MAX software glitch, and Rick Rizz’s farewell. Clayton also discusses voting rights, election control, and democratic norms under pressure.

Dr. Helen Chu, a University of Washington infectious-disease physician and vaccine researcher, discusses an unusually early flu season and rising COVID activity. She covers updated vaccines, new flu-shot options, falling vaccination rates, everyday prevention, maternal protection, and the possibility of winter waves, RSV changes, and measles outbreaks.

Peter Sagal, humorist, author, playwright and longtime Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! host, previews his uncensored one-man show in Bellingham. He reflects on decades of touring, politics, democracy and human nature, then takes on a Seattle-themed comedy quiz featuring fake headlines, real oddities, police scandals, eagles and public nudity.

Anna Marie Yanny, a KNKX reporter covering education and public policy, examines Washington schools reopening with fewer staff, declining enrollment, and mounting budget pressure. Elena Neale-Sacks, an Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter focused on Pacific Northwest issues, explores Ridgefield’s proposed waterfront development. Residents worry about growth, wildlife, and the character of a city shaped by its refuge.

Stormy weather is sweeping western Washington as winds reach 50 mph. Headlines cover a murder case involving a history of severe mental illness, Instacart’s driver-pay settlement, Sound Transit leadership compensation and a toxicology backlog. Legacy forest protections are shrinking, Costco gets a tariff refund, and U.S. and Canadian crews rescue an entangled humpback whale.

Tan Vinh, a Seattle Times food writer and critic, joins Chase Hutchinson, a film and culture critic, to unpack Seattle’s week. They discuss the uneven $889 million World Cup tourism boost, the Grand Illusion’s revival, an almost-permanent street-paint mishap, and Seattle’s first official Monopoly board in decades. Plus, they share ideas for finding more whimsy around town.

Starbucks is closing 250 stores in North America, Alaska Airlines is increasing flights out of Everett's Paine Field, and the Mariners will not be playing in the postseason this year. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fall is an underrated time to travel, and solo travel is on the rise. We’ll hear why the Pacific Northwest is a top destination for female solo travelers from local travel writer Susan Stephens. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.