This week it’s stories about artists with diseases, disabilities and injuries who have had great success in the music biz. From Beethoven to Def Leppard with stops in between at Django Reinhardt and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

You've probably heard the under-world of drug abuse has taken on a new face over the past decade, with the rise of prescription pill addicts.

The story is more nuanced than that. But before looking at the nuance, here are a few surprising facts and a disturbing trend.

The Machinists Union says it's surprised and disappointed to hear of plans by Congress to hold a hearing next week over the federal labor lawsuit against Boeing. 

The National Labor Relations Board has filed suit against the aerospace giant claiming the company moved manufacturing facilities to South Carolina to avoid unionized workers.  A hearing on that issue starts Tuesday morning in Seattle.  Now the NLRB's attorney is being summoned to a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government later in the week.

There’s a glimmer of hope in the struggle against prescription drug abuse.  For the first time, the number of overdose deaths from painkillers has gone down in King County. It’s also fallen statewide.

Unfortunately, people hooked on painkillers may be turning to heroin. Heroin abuse used to be confined to Washington's cities -- primarily Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Everett. Now, it's appearing for the first time in small towns and rural areas.

KPLU's complete report.

The lawyer for the young man known as the Barefoot Bandit says plea negotiations have hit a snag as federal prosecutors balk at allowing him to sell the rights to his sensational tale, even if money from movie or book deals is used to repay his victims.

Colton Harris-Moore led authorities on a two-year game of cat-and-mouse in stolen boats, planes and cars that finally ended with his arrest in the Bahamas last summer.

His lawyer, John Henry Browne, says no final decision has been made.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has announced the recipients of the 2011 Mayor's Arts Awards. The Seattle Arts Commission chose six winners from a pool of 300 nominees. The honorees are:

• Donald Byrd, choreographer and artistic director of Spectrum Dance Theater
• Jack Straw Productions
• Quinton Morris, DMA, musician and professor
• On the Boards
• Pratt Fine Arts Center
• Tet in Seattle, producer of the annual Tet Festival

A woman who survived a horrific rape and stabbing in her Seattle home two years ago is telling jurors about her partner, who died in the attack.

The woman took the stand Wednesday afternoon in the trial of Isaiah Kalebu, who is charged in the case. Kalebu has been barred from the trial due to prior outbursts and was not in the courtroom.

The woman frequently flashed a broad smile as she told the jury of how her relationship with Teresa Butz blossomed. But she broke down when she described how the two planned to have children together.

There’s a big push going on right now to expand the scope of the global health agenda, to include many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer.

Business banning together to influence elections in Washington is nothing new, but this group may not be the usual suspects with the usual politics.

The newly formed group, the Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE), announced in a press release today that it is poised to take action in the upcoming Seattle elections with more than 40 companies already supporting it. The PAC members, it said, represent sectors that include restaurants, retail, manufacturing, construction, tourism and recreation, real estate, finance, professional services, transportation and life sciences.

We were pleased to welcome jazz violin virtuoso, Regina Carter to the KPLU studios on June 1 for a unique performance and interview with Evening Jazz host, Abe Beeson.

Accompanying Carter were Will Holshouser on accordion, and Yacouba Sissoko on the kora, a beautiful and unique African harp. The trio performed two selections from Carter’s latest CD, Reverse Thread: Kanou and N’teri (video below) which explore African music in very fresh, surprising and delightful ways.

Maybe you didn't get the word that the law changed last June: Using your cellphone while driving -- unless you have a hands-free connection -- is a primary offense in Washington.

That means officers can pull you over and write you a $124 ticket, even if you're otherwise obeying the traffic laws. It used to be only a secondary offense, meaning police had to see you speeding, or making an illegal turn, for example, before ticketing you.

The Seattle Times has figured out that Seattle Police have issued about six times as many cellphone tickets since the law changed, compared to the previous year, and the Washington State Patrol has issued about five times more tickets. 

About 50 workers from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation complained about health and safety issues at a meeting in Richland on Tuesday night. The conference was organized by Hanford Challenge, a watchdog group.

Most who attended the meeting complained they aren’t being compensated adequately for their health problems. They also said Hanford contractors and the federal government aren’t keeping workers safe in places like the nuclear waste tank farms.

30 percent chance of showers this morning. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Forecast here.

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Fast-attack sub commander relieved of duty
• Odd news roundup: Biting flies, yearbook fail
• Groups push for minority districts in Washington
• Seattle parking meters balk at credit cards

Navy cans officer over classified information

The Navy says the commanding officer of a fast attack submarine homeported in Washington state has been relieved of duty after an investigation into the mishandling of classified information.

According to a Navy announcement, Cmdr. Michael Varney was reassigned Monday for violating a general order, making a false official statement and for wrongful interference in an adverse administrative proceeding.

She was bronzed, glistening and gorgeous beneath the merciless lights and I  knew she could be mine -- all mine -- for a lousy $5.95.  I had just one question. 

Do you have a musical instrument that you no longer play? 

If so, donate it to KPLU's Instrument Drive, in support of Seattle JazzED.  They're building a musical library where students can check out an instrument and learn to play jazz. With your help, we can get instruments into the hands of aspiring young musicians who want to learn to play music.

Get more information, and find a drop off location near you!