KPLU News Staff

Rodman urges Kim Jong-Un to free Lynnwood, Wash. man

KPLU News Staff and The Associated Press — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:06:03 +0000

NBA star Dennis Rodman, who recently made waves with his visit to North Korea, has called on the country’s leader to free the American man being held captive.

“I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him 'Kim', to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose,” Rodman tweeted Tuesday.

Bombing suspect's uncle: 'If you're alive, turn yourself in'

KPLU News Staff — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:16:59 +0000

The uncle of a Boston Marathon bombing suspect is urging his nephew to turn himself in.

Spring cleaning in Seattle includes keeping 'junk food' away from fish

KPLU News Staff — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:06:49 +0000

With spring comes spring cleaning. And Seattle is no exception. The city is asking residents to tidy up their neighborhoods - helping out with everything from picking up litter to painting over graffiti. Another thing the city could use help with is stenciling storm drains as a way to protect Puget Sound.

Report: Seattle considering entering bid for 2024 Olympics

KPLU News Staff and and the Associated Press — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:58:57 +0000

The Seattle Sports Commission has begun informally exploring the possibility of hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Sportspress Northwest reported.

“It’s not a bid; it’s just an opportunity for us to consider whether we want to be considered,” Ralph Morton, executive director of the commission told Sportspress Northwest.

Billboards to stop human trafficking

KPLU News Staff — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:48:45 +0000

Billboards depicting the outline of a young girl and a short story about abuse have sprung up across western Washington. Seattle Police Captain Dave Emerick is in charge of the high risk victims unit. He says at any given time, between 300 and 500 young people are being sexually exploited in King County alone. He says the police want to hear from anyone who sees suspicious behavior.

Research shows that simple scents can increase retail sales

KPLU News Staff — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Since shopping on the internet is easier now than ever, you may have gotten comfortable buying gifts in your pajamas. An experiment conducted by Washington State University and Switzerland's University of St. Gallen found that scents in stores can make people more likely to take their Christmas shopping off-line. Eric Spangenberg, Dean of WSU’s College of Business, says the study will help retailers make in-store shopping more enjoyable.

Favorite Things Weekend: Here are the 12 top KPLU stories in 2012

KPLU News Staff — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:23:29 +0000

Today is the last day of our Favorite Things Weekend. Join us as we celebrate December and all the things listeners love most about KPLU.

In the spirit of the season we hope you will consider making an online gift this weekend in any amount to KPLU.

'Tiz also the season for lists – best of lists, most of lists, longest lists, naughty and nice lists … so, here’s ours in honor of the 12 days of Christmas. Here are the 12 most-read stories of 2012 (so far):

Seattle Animal Shelter opens rabbit spay and neuter service

KPLU News Staff — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Though well known for their amorous natures, pet rabbits still aren’t fixed as often as they should be. To help curb the problem, the Seattle Animal Shelter will open its rabbit spay and neuter service to the public in January.

Shelter veterinarian Mary Ellen Zoulas says a common cause of unexpected pregnancy in rabbits has to do with folks mistaking Peter Cottontail for a female.

State officials: Know where your donation is going

KPLU News Staff — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

You may have already run into shop-front bell ringers signaling the season of giving. It’s also a season of discernment when it comes to knowing who’s going to do the most good with your hard-earned buck. To help people make wise decisions about donating to charity, the offices of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General have released the 2012 Commercial Fundraiser Activity Report. Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed suggests doing some research before you give.

Winter weather hits region hard: heavy rains, mudslides, street flooding

The Associated Press and KPLU News Staff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:09:46 +0000

Forecasters say the wet and windy weather with mountain snow will continue this week in Washington, but there may be a lull on Thanksgiving Day. The current deluge so far has resulted in a few mudslides, street flooding and a state trooper’s car being smashed.

The National Weather Service says a series of Pacific storms are aiming to hit the Northwest every day or two.

Getting around

The morning commute around Seattle was tough, but the commute home today may be a bit easier.

King, Pierce county prosecutors dismiss more than 200 marijuana cases

KPLU News Staff — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 23:37:37 +0000

Prosecutors for King and Pierce counties announced this afternoon that all misdemeanor marijuana cases in their counties have been dropped.

With legal possession of up to an ounce of pot just around the corner, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said that dismissing these cases is the right thing to do.

Same-sex marriage foes concede; marriage industry gearing up

Ashley Gross and KPLU News Staff — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:17:20 +0000

Foes of the same-sex marriage referendum in Washington have conceded the law will pass. The group that sponsored Referendum 74 declared victory yesterday.

Same-sex marriage backers declare win; Feds expected to battle legal pot

The Associated Press and KPLU News Staff — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:21:58 +0000

Washington joined Colorado in voting to become the first states to legalize and tax the sale of marijuana for recreational use, but people shouldn't expect to be able to buy a bag of legitimate weed any time soon.

Nor should they expect the law to go into effect with out a fight with federal law agencies, said Sam Kamin, professor of law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

“My gut feeling is that the federal government won’t currently tolerate the commercial recreational sale of marijuana, that is they will not allow it to be regulated like alcohol. That just seems a bridge too far,” he said.

New related story: Partners in crime? New state laws challenge fed’s marijuana stance

Complete I-502 story.

Same-sex marriage backers say they've won

Washington United for Marriage has declared victory in the same-sex marriage referendum.

“This is a clear win,” the group's campaign manager Zach Silk said in a press release.

Same-sex marriage backers declare victory; video tells couple's story

Gary Davis and KPLU News Staff — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:32:45 +0000

"I just phoned our son up in Bellingham and said, get ready for the wedding."

Washington United for Marriage has declared victory in the same-sex marriage referendum. Maine and Maryland became the first states to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote last night.

“This is a clear win,” the group's campaign manager Zach Silk said in a press release.
“We have run the numbers every which way, and we can now confidently say that we have won. This is an historic day for Washington, an historic day for our country and, most of all, for families across the state who have dreamed of this day and the wedding celebrations to come.”

So far, official “Yes” votes have a slight advantage of 52 to 48 percent. Counties were expected to post additional vote results Wednesday afternoon.

However the group said in the press release:

With 60 percent of the vote counted, R74 already has the support of 65 percent of King County and is performing well in key Eastern Washington counties. Simply put, it’s now impossible for opponents to overcome the 52-48 percent spread for R74.

Video: KPLU videographer David Kellogg captured the hopes and tensions of election night as one same-sex couple waited for elections results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCB4J6Lq7bI

Same-sex marriage law leading in Washington

KPLU News Staff — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:15:16 +0000

Washington voters are narrowly approving same-sex marriage in the state, following the lead of voters in Maryland and Maine, where ballot measures on same-sex unions also are holding slim leads.

With about half of the expected vote counted Tuesday night, Referendum 74 was passing with 53 percent of the vote.

The referendum asked voters to approve or reject the state's new law legalizing same-sex marriage. That law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this year, but it's been on hold pending the election's outcome.