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Weekend Listen: Aurora Avenue residents call for urgent gun violence measures, Longview rallies after paper mill disaster, students in Bothell are fighting for their SRO, and great blue herons find a home in Redmond

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom First, residents of North Seattle along Aurora Avenue are on edge, after a recent surge of gun violence in a neighborhood that has been a longtime hotspot for human trafficking. City officials say they’re working urgently to close streets and assign police patrols Next, the latest from the paper mill disaster in Longview, where earlier this week, the names were released of the 11 people who died. The scope of the tragedy has sparked concerns about the lasting impact on this Southwest Washington town. Next, students and families in Bothell have been pushing back against a decision to not renew the contract of a popular school resource officer. And finally, typically when you spot a great blue heron in western Washington, you see one flying or fishing alone. In Redmond a huge group of herons have picked a place to nest - in an unusual spot. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Evening Headlines

Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on surveillance cameras near stadiums, King County prosecutor wants to increase penalties for buying sex, and there's huge demand for Seattle's first social housing building. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Rezones Rainier Beach Site, But Affordable Housing Remains Years Away

Rainier Beach gained new zoning capacity for affordable housing, yet no housing project is currently on the horizon. Here's what's planned for the site now.

Casual Friday with Danny Ball and Michael Wong

This week… Thousands of Seattle residents are lining up to volunteer during the World Cup. An iconic local karaoke spot is re-opening its doors. And why does Lumen Field just say "Field" right now? Simply Seattle’s Danny Ball and Asian Verified founder Michael Wong are here to break down the week. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Evening Headlines

Hotel workers near Lumen Field could go on strike, Mayor Wilson is no longer boycotting Starbucks, and Seattle delays its plan to reduce pickleball courts. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate Pride 2026, South End Style

Looking for Pride plans beyond downtown? Our guide rounds up South Seattle's biggest LBGTQIA+ celebrations, from White Center and Columbia City to Georgetown, Hillman City, and beyond.

After rocket explosion, Kent's Blue Origin falls further behind in the space race

When Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded last week, it affected NASA’s space aspirations, and private companies like Amazon. The New York Times’ Karen Weise will tell us about the fallout from the Kent-based company’s launchpad disaster. Read Karen’s reporting here. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Evening Headlines

Seattle one step closer to emergency ban on large data centers, 1,400 kids will get free tickets to the World Cup, and two veteran Seattle police officers are suing the department. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King County Transportation District nears finalizing new sales tax

Board members agree cities should receive a portion of the $100 million in expected revenue, but are now debating minimum and maximum amounts.

OPINION | To the Class of 2026: Your Actions Can Help Shape Our Future

Seattle’s years-long social housing dreams are being put to the test

Seattle’s social housing test will soon become a reality. The city’s voter-approved Social Housing Developer is working to fill an apartment near Pike Place Market with mixed income tenants. The deadline to apply for a spot in the housing lottery is this Friday. Seattle Times real estate reporter Heidi Groover is here to fill us in. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Cup vs. Seattle area traffic | Cartoon by Frank Shiers

This cartoon by Frank Shiers references how road construction will be limited when the World Cup comes to town.