KUOW Public Radio

02/02/2023

Dwindling worshippers, low attendance: behind the Archdiocese of Seattle's consolidation plans

"I think what we should be mourning more right now is the things that do matter, which is people are falling away from the church."

The Archdiocese of Seattle, which covers Western Washington from the Canadian to Oregon border, announced last week a plan to consolidate churches into parish families that share a priest and buildings. A number of factors, including low mass attendance, are driving the decision.

02/02/2023

In first GOP-led hearing about the border, witnesses paint sharply different pictures

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee blamed Biden administration policies for the record number of migrant apprehensions. Democrats accused them of fear-mongering and spreading misinformation.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee used their first hearing of the new Congress to zero in on what they call a crisis at the southern U.S. border.

02/02/2023

How do you protect kids online... from their own parents?

A renewed push in Olympia would protect children against parental influencers who make money by showcasing the growing pains and private lives of their kids on social media.

Tiktok, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram - there are lots of platforms where posting your kids can be a full-time job. And with pays for views and brand deals, a pretty lucrative one. A renewed push in Olympia would protect children against parents who reveal their private lives and growing pains on soci...

02/02/2023

Tom Brady retires from the NFL, 1 year after retiring from the NFL

"I'm retiring. For good," Brady said. The record-shattering quarterback released the message on Feb. 1, the same date he announced his retirement from the NFL in 2022.

It's not quite Groundhog Day — but yes, you've heard all this before. Quarterback Tom Brady is retiring from the NFL — for real this time, he said in a video posted to social media on Wednesday morning.

02/02/2023

Changes down the road for Washington drivers: Today So Far

Road rage is just one problem among a range of issues plaguing Washington's roads ever since the pandemic first struck.

Washington's roads have become more dangerous over the past couple years. Now, local and national officials are attempting to curb the trend. This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for February 1, 2023.

02/02/2023

House Republicans are launching their first investigations into Democrats

Now in control of the House, Republicans will hold hearings on border policy and pandemic relief spending.

One recent afternoon on his way to votes, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., remarked that he and his counterpart on the House Judiciary panel, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, are spending a lot of time together these days.

02/02/2023

Oregon kidnapping suspect dies of self-inflicted gunshot, police say

A suspect in a violent kidnapping in Oregon died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday night after being taken into custody following a standoff with law enforcement, a police spokesman said.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A suspect in a violent kidnapping in Oregon died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday night after being taken into custody following a standoff with law enforcement, a police spokesman said.

02/02/2023

Surge of federal funding targets 'alarming trend' on Washington state roads

Washington's roadways are the target of fresh federal funding, following a rise in unsafe driving and traffic fatalities in the state.

02/02/2023

The once-in-a-lifetime green comet threatens FOMO sufferers everywhere tonight

For one night only! Meet C/2022 E3 (her friends call her the green comet for short).

Welcome to a new NPR series where we spotlight the people and things making headlines — and the stories behind them.

02/02/2023

The Fed raises interest rates by only a quarter-point after inflation drops

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter-percentage point as part of its ongoing effort to fight inflation. Price hikes have begun to ease, but the Fed says inflation is not yet tamed.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, its eighth increase in less than a year as the central bank continues its crackdown on inflation.

02/01/2023

Fans line up for one last slice of Seattle history

After nearly 70 years, Northlake Tavern and Pizza House — known for pizzas that easily weighed six pounds — has closed its doors. But not before fans returned for one last slice of history.

02/01/2023

4 of the 5 officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death had prior violations at work

Five officers have been indicted over the beating death of Tyre Nichols. Four of them had previously been disciplined by the Memphis police department for car crashes, excessive force and more.

Four of the five former Memphis Police officers who have been charged in the death of Tyre Nichols had previous infractions with the department, according to Memphis police personnel records shared with NPR.

02/01/2023

Proposed bill would let WA naturopaths prescribe opioids, other controlled meds

Naturopathic doctors say they’re well-positioned to help address Washington’s opioid crisis and provide comprehensive health care in rural parts of the state. But they say a change in state law is needed to practice medicine to the full extent of their training.

02/01/2023

Photos: A final send-off for Boeing's 747

Thousands of former and current Boeing workers joined customers and other guests to bid farewell to the company's final 747 jumbo jet. The hours-long celebration for the so-called “Queen of the Skies" took place in the giant building that once housed the 747 production line.

02/01/2023

It's Black History Month. Here are 3 things to know about the annual celebration

The annual celebration started out in 1926 as Negro History Week and expanded to Black History Month in the 1970s. This year's theme is "Black Resistance."

February marks Black History Month, a tradition that got its start in the Jim Crow era and was officially recognized in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebrations.

02/01/2023

DOJ is searching Biden's Delaware vacation home as part of classified document search

The DOJ is searching President Biden's home in Rehoboth, Del. on Wednesday as part of its investigation into classified documents found among his personal files, Biden's lawyer said in a statement.

The Justice Department is searching President Biden's home in Rehoboth, Del. on Wednesday as part of its investigation into classified documents found among his personal files, Biden's lawyer said in a statement.

02/01/2023

Massachusetts childrens' deaths spotlight postpartum psychosis. How can we recognize and prevent it?

A tragedy in Massachusetts puts a spotlight on a rare, but sometimes dangerous, form of mental illness.

02/01/2023

Wintry weather leads to more than 1,000 flight cancellations across the U.S.

On top of the cancellations, another 4,700 flights were delayed nationwide on Monday as Texas and nearby states dealt with freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation.

DALLAS — More than 1,000 flights were cancelled and many more delayed Monday with more expected in coming days as Texas and nearby states dealt with freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation.

02/01/2023

AI can lead to employment discrimination. What to do about it is up for debate

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says artificial intelligence-based hiring tools may be creating discriminatory barriers to jobs. The agency is seeking input on how to prevent harm.

AI may be the hiring tool of the future, but it could come with the old relics of discrimination.

02/01/2023

Jim Jordan moves from leadership nemesis to key player in GOP agenda

During his early years in the House, Rep. Jordan pressured Republican leaders to move to the right. Now as Judiciary Chairman, he is a key architect in Speaker McCarthy's oversight agenda this year.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan will hold his first investigative hearing Wednesday on border security. His transformation from leadership antagonist to leadership ally positions the Ohio Republican as a central player

02/01/2023

Pope Francis performs a high-wire act as he courts followers in Africa

The progressive Pontifex is visiting parts of Africa this week, and must fulfill a balancing act that looks towards the expansion of his church and the ideological clashes that are coming up.

Welcome to a new NPR series where we spotlight the people making headlines — and the stories behind them.

02/01/2023

How the world came together to save the ozone layer

In the 1980s, the world came together to ban CFCs, commonly used chemicals that were destroying the atmosphere’s ozone layer. Are there lessons we can apply to tackling climate change?

02/01/2023

Priscilla Presley is disputing the trust of her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley

Priscilla Presley's filing disputes the validity of a 2016 amendment to Lisa Marie Presley's living trust that removed Priscilla and a former business manager as trustees.

LOS ANGELES — Priscilla Presley has filed legal documents disputing who oversees the estate of her late daughter Lisa Marie Presley.

02/01/2023

Congress tightens U.S. manufacturing rules after battery technology ends up in China

The Department of Energy allowed a taxpayer-funded breakthrough in batteries to transfer overseas with little oversight

A new federal law, passed after the Department of Energy allowed the export of taxpayer-funded battery technology to China, aims to tighten restrictions on sending such government discoveries abroad.

02/01/2023

Serenity, surprise, and delight: sharing the legacy of architect Minoru Yamasaki

Seattle-born Minoru Yamasaki was one of the most prominent American architects of the 20th Century, best known for designing the first World Trade Center.

Seattle-born Minoru Yamasaki was one of the most prominent American architects of the 20th Century, best known for designing the first World Trade Center. His granddaughter, Katie Yamasaki, is sharing his story with new generations of would-be architects in her new book, “Shapes, Lines and Light: ...

02/01/2023

Can you afford to be on a jury for $10 a day? Not everyone can

In King County District Court, and in many courthouses across Washington, jurors are paid $10 a day.

New legislation is aiming to increase jury diversity in the state's courts. That could mean people who participate in programs like WIC could make $125 for every day they serve.

02/01/2023

What are the legal protections for people living in their vehicles?

In the early months of the pandemic, parking enforcement was suspended, giving temporary respite to thousands of people who live in their vehicles. Now those rules are back and questions remain about the legal rights of people who live where they're able to park.

Close to half of unhoused people in King County live in their vehicles. In the early months of the pandemic, parking enforcement was suspended, giving temporary respite to thousands of people from being ticketed and having their vehicles impounded and potentially put up for auction. Now those rules....

01/31/2023

More delays and technical glitches plague Eastern Washington VA medical centers

Spokesman Review reporter Orion Donovan-Smith joined Soundside to give an update on the latest slew of problems surrounding the Spokane VA's new electronic record system, which caused delays in care, missed diagnoses, and missing medication for patients last year.

01/31/2023

Chinatown-International District grapples with losing 2 community newspapers and ‘their voice’

Two Seattle newspapers focused on the Asian community stopped printing this month. Many advocates and residents of the Chinatown-International District say they fear they’ll be left without a voice and a way to safely advocate for their neighborhood.

01/31/2023

The driver of a car that plunged off a California cliff charged with attempted murder

The driver of a car that plunged off a treacherous cliff in northern California, seriously injuring himself, his wife and their two young children, was charged with attempted murder.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — The driver of a car that plunged off a treacherous cliff in northern California, seriously injuring himself, his wife and their two young children, was charged Monday with attempted murder.

01/31/2023

A newly single mom wasn't sure she could make ends meet. They threw her a lifeline

Sabrina Kronk was worried about providing for her daughter Katie. When their car broke down she was nervous about the financial implications. Then she got some help from some unexpected friends.

This story is part of the My Unsung Hero series, from the Hidden Brain team, about people whose kindness left a lasting impression on someone else.

01/31/2023

Rep. George Santos voluntarily steps down from House committee assignments

Multiple GOP lawmakers tell NPR that embattled New York Republican Rep. George Santos has voluntarily recused himself from serving on committees temporarily.

Multiple GOP lawmakers tell NPR that embattled New York Republican Rep. George Santos is voluntarily stepping down from his committee assignments amid outcry over his fabricated biography

01/31/2023

Trump sues Bob Woodward for releasing audio of their interviews without permission

The former president has made good on his threat to sue the Washington Post reporter over his use of interview recordings. The lawsuit seeks nearly $50 million in damages.

Former President Donald Trump has made good on his threat to sue Bob Woodward over the Washington Post journalist's latest book, accusing him of releasing audio recordings of their interviews without his consent

01/31/2023

Robot joins the ranks at Spokane hospital

Hospitals across Washington state continue to struggle with staffing levels, and some are getting creative with potential ways to lighten the load for nurses.

Hospitals across Washington state continue to struggle with staffing levels, and some are getting creative with potential ways to lighten the load for nurses. A Spokane hospital has welcomed a robot named Moxi to its care team.

01/31/2023

Matt Butler has played concerts in more than 50 prisons and jails

"Reckless Son" is a one-man show by singer/songwriter Matt Butler inspired by the convicts he's met while touring American prisons and jails.

Singer/songwriter Matt Butler says he's performed for incarcerated people in more than 50 prisons and jails across the country.

01/31/2023

Recent infighting raises the question: How conservative is the GOP?

Republican Party divisions over who would lead the House, debates over the debt ceiling and other conflicts have revived a years-long conversation about what it even means to be conservative.

A few weeks ago, Americans — or, the subset who get excited about these things — were glued to C-SPAN as the House voted 15 times for a speaker.

01/31/2023

Appeals court clears the way for more lawsuits over Johnson's Baby Powder

A U.S. appeals court has dismissed the bankruptcy case filed by a Johnson & Johnson spinoff company. Around 40,000 cancer patients have filed suit, alleging the powder was contaminated with asbestos.

Tens of thousands of people who say they were sickened by Johnson's Baby Powder are once again free to sue the manufacturer, after a federal appeals court rejected Johnson & Johnson's effort to block those lawsuits through bankruptcy.

01/31/2023

A man accused of torturing women is using dating apps to look for victims, police say

Authorities are looking for Benjamin Obadiah Foster, who they accuse of kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Oregon — years after he was charged with holding his then-girlfriend captive in Las Vegas.

A man accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Oregon — years after being charged with holding another woman captive in Nevada — remains both on the run and active on dating apps, authorities say.

01/31/2023

The zombie fungus from 'The Last Of Us' is real — but not nearly as deadly

This species of fungus, Ophiocordyceps, is known for using "mind control" on insect hosts. Humans, however, are immune.

In the video game and HBO show The Last of Us, humans struggle to survive after an infectious fungus turns ordinary people into zombies.

01/31/2023

A NASA spacecraft discovers a formation on Mars resembling a bear

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter snapped the uncanny photo in December. Eyes are formed by craters. A hill with a "V-shaped collapse structure" resembles a snout.

Scientists found an unexpected discovery on the surface of Mars: a formation resembling the face of a bear.