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These scientists are keeping an eye on which KC beaches are safe for swimming

Memorial Day is a time to honor America’s fallen soldiers past and present. It’s also the unofficial start of summer. Today’s weather isn't exactly ideal for a beach swim. But once we get to magical Seattle summer weather, don’t forget to check King County Public Health’s website before you take a dip. They send out environmental scientists like Wyatt Klepac each week to test our swim beaches for toxic algae and bacteria. Right now, Green Lake’s West Beach is closed because of toxic algae and Newcastle Beach due to high bacteria. Last summer, we were curious about how the county decides to close beaches and went out with Wyatt to see for ourselves. Here’s that episode again. 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.

Washington reforms that could tackle teacher sexual abuse

WA was the first to enact “Don’t Pass the Trash” legislation two decades ago.

Asian markets – from strip malls to mega stores | Meanderings by Mindy Stern

When husband and wife Taiwanese immigrants, Cindy and Jack Lee opened a supermarket in Vancouver, B.C. in 1993, their vision was to create “an Asian version of Safeway.” They named it in honor of their young daughters, Tina and Tiffany. T&T Supermarket became a mega hit, a destination for Asian shoppers from Canada and the U.S. seeking fresh, frozen, boxed, and canned food items not found at mainstream grocers who’d never heard of lemongrass, galangal, or lime leaves.

Weekend Listen: Diesel prices are squeezing the PNW’s fishing industry, digging up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities, and Tacoma renters are forming tenant's unions

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington. First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty to an already challenging business. Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries. And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma have voted to form unions in the last six months. 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

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Casual Friday with Zaki Hamid and Casey Martin

This week: The Seattle Opera had its first Furry Night. Memorial Day travelers are feeling the strain of high prices.  And young male Mariners fans are ripping their shirts off at games. KUOW community engagement director Zaki Hamid and KUOW reporter Casey Martin are here to break down the week. 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

Sen. Patty Murray calls for investigation into Sean Duffy's road trip, Meta lays off 10% of its workforce, and Bruce Harrell gets a new job. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Way officials help Ukrainian woman visit mother before her death

When Iryna Kornychuk learned that her mother had cancer and didn’t have much time, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to return to the United States if she traveled to Ukraine to see her for a last visit.

Deaths on Washington roads drop again

In an encouraging sign for road safety, traffic deaths in Washington fell significantly for the second year in a row in 2025, according to state data released Tuesday.