Seattle Now

Latest Episodes:

How a TikTok fixed a massive language error at the WA DOL Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Until very recently, Washington’s Department of Licensing self-service phone line used English in a Spanish accent when you pressed 2 for Spanish.

It was like that for months.

We’ll talk about what might have gone wrong and what it took to fix the issue with Responsible AI Washington's Ryan Burns.

Read Monica Carrillo-Casas' story here.

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Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Listen: UW researchers are testing a phone app to monitor fetal heart rates, WSU is ramping up research and training on nuclear power, and Oregon came within one day of announcing it was feral-swine free, then another wild pig appeared Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms around the PNW…

First, computer science researchers at the University of Washington are testing if a phone app can accurately monitor a fetus' heart rate during pregnancy.

Next, Washington State University’s Nuclear Science Center is ramping up research and training to meet the increasing need for energy.

And finally, Oregon came within one day of announcing it was feral-swine free – and then another wild pig appeared.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Evening Headlines Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Snowfall snarls travel across the Cascades, Seattle’s community college district declares a financial emergency, and mystery orcas are spotted in the Salish Sea.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Casual Friday with Jas Keimig and Naomi Tomky Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

This week…

State legislators had a 24-hour marathon meeting to pass the "Millionaire's Tax.”

Seattle might install some temporary public bathrooms ahead of the World Cup.

And a local vegan restaurant sparked outrage by adding chicken and eggs to the menu.

Arts reporter Jas Keimig and Seattle Met Food and Drink Editor Naomi Tomky are here to break down the week.

Read Naomi’s piece on the best fries in Seattle 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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Evening Headlines Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

King County immigration arrests increased 300% last year, negotiations stall for REI union efforts, and it's been the worst PNW ski season in years.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the Seattle Children's nurse who’s also a Paralympic Skier Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Seattle has a Paralympic Nordic skier competing in Milan.

When she’s not training for competitions, she’s working at Seattle Children’s Hospital as a nurse.

We’ll chat with Seattle's own Paralympian Erin Martin about what it takes to be great at para-Nordic skiing.

Here's the Seattle Center pop-up performance application.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Evening Headlines Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Blizzard warning in effect for the Cascades, Howard Schultz is leaving Seattle, and the millionaire's tax is on the cusp of passing.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polyamorous people want to be Seattle's newest protected class Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve been on Seattle dating apps, you may have come across the letters ENM…

ENM stands for ethical non-monogamy, which is becoming increasingly popular in the US, and specifically in the Pacific Northwest.

A popular form of ENM is polyamory - the practice of having multiple romantic partners at once.

Now, advocates for polyamory are trying to gain legal protections in Seattle.

New York Times Pacific Northwest Bureau Chief Anna Griffin will tell us more.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Evening Headlines Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Lawmakers pull an all-nighter debating millionaire's tax, Seattle passes moratorium on ICE detention centers, and Starbucks closes more Seattle stores.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA has already doubled its measles cases from 2025 Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Measles cases are on the rise. Washington state has had 26 confirmed cases this year. That’s more than double all of the cases in 2025.To find out what’s happening we’re joined by Dr. Helen Chu, infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine.

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 seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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