News

Remembering Mount St. Helens blast 33 years later

The Associated Press — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:01:00 +0000

Saturday is the 33rd anniversary of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens that killed 57 people, knocked down a forest and filled the sky and rivers with volcanic ash.

The mountain in southwest Washington may be the best known volcano in the state, but it's not the only one or the most dangerous.

CIA vanishes from list of federal agencies with fictitious Wash. IDs

Austin Jenkins — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:31:00 +0000

Washington’s Department of Licensing has released a list of federal agencies that have received fictitious driver’s licenses for undercover operations. But the list made public Friday does not include the Central Intelligence Agency even though the state agency previously acknowledged its work with CIA.

Burgess exits Seattle mayoral race

Bellamy Pailthorp and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:30:36 +0000

Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess has bowed out of the mayoral race.

Burgess said recent polling showed his campaign lacked the sparkle he needed to win, and he posed a risk of splintering the vote in the crowded race.

Senate majority names 33 bills for budget talks

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:12:52 +0000

As lawmakers wrap up their first week of a special legislative session, Senate majority leaders have asked that more than 30 bills be considered as part of the budget discussions.

A list of 33 measures, obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, was submitted during a private meeting Thursday, including bills dealing with changes to the workers' compensation system, education bills and other bills tied to the budget, including funding for state parks and higher education. Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler declined to comment on the list Friday.

Most young adults won't pay more for coverage under Obamacare

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:51:06 +0000

If the price tag for health insurance goes up under Obamacare, it’s likely to hit some policy holders in their 20s, economists have warned. Now that the first round of numbers are available in Washington state, we can see whether that’s the case.

Controversial florist sues Wash. state, says she 'will not wilt'

Anna King — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:55:59 +0000

The Richland florist who refused to sell flowers for a same sex-couple’s wedding has filed a counter suit.

Arlene’s Flowers owner Barronnelle Stutzman says she "will not wilt." She argues there are plenty of other shops in the Tri-Cities that could cater to a gay or lesbian wedding.

'High Water Everywhere' and the father of Delta Blues

John Kessler — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Charley Patton is considered by many to be the father of Delta Blues. What does that actually mean? A combination of location, timing and talent, put him at the leading edge of the new musical direction of the 1920s. He was one of, if not the first, to play what we might recognize as blues.

Fresh Copper River salmon lands in Seattle

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:45:09 +0000

The first planeload of Copper River salmon from Cordova, Alaska, landed Friday morning at Sea-Tac Airport and the Alaska Airlines pilots carried a 40-pound king to waiting chefs.

The annual cook-off among local chefs this year includes Master Sgt. Robert Schulman, a 31-year Air Force Reserve chef representing the 446th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Mass: Half-and-half weekend, then not so pretty next week

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:29:45 +0000

If you liked the light rain falling this morning, you'll get a bit more on Saturday, and possibly Sunday morning, says Cliff Mass, professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.

On the other hand, if you're looking for some good outdoor times, Mass says we should dry out Sunday afternoon.

Sea-Tac workers aim for pay raise with ballot initiative

Ashley Gross — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:01:00 +0000

Workers at Sea-Tac Airport are trying to get a big pay raise by way of a ballot initiative. If approved, the increase would put them 60 percent over the state’s minimum wage of $9.19 per hour.

Wait could be longer for Sonics fans; Kings sold to Calif. investors

Kirsten Kendrick and Art Thiel — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The effort to bring the Sacramento Kings to Seattle is officially over. After the NBA Board of Governors voted Wednesday to deny relocation of the Kings to Seattle, the team has now been sold to California investors.

The Sacramento Bee reports a Sacramento investors group has reached a deal with the Maloof family to buy the Kings for an NBA record valuation of $535 million.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel phoned in a report on the deal late Thursday night.

Proposed ban on hash, pot extract irks critics

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:39:37 +0000

Washington’s proposed marijuana rules weren't even 24-hours old when critics began finding things not to like. The 46-pages of draft regulations released Thursday cover everything from where marijuana can be grown to the criminal backgrounds of license applicants. But it’s the section on marijuana concentrates that’s getting some negative buzz.

Five things you should know about the proposed marijuana rules

Martha Kang — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:47:55 +0000

The state Liquor Control Board on Thursday released a draft of rules proposed to help regulate legal marijuana. The 46-page document is filled with details relevant to those who plan to apply for a pot license.

Here are five things non-license seekers should know about the proposed rules:

Thank you for supporting KPLU and the GiveBIG campaign!

KPLU — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:11:15 +0000

Thank you to all of our listeners who contributed to KPLU through the Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG campaign.

Thanks to your generosity, we received just over $40,000 from our supporters!

State releases draft of rules for legal marijuana

The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:13:14 +0000

Officials in Washington state took their first stab at setting rules for the state's new marijuana industry Thursday, nearly eight months after voters here legalized pot for adults.

Among the preliminary regulations: They want to track marijuana from "seed to store," and while they're putting a cap on the number of retail stores in each county, they're not planning to limit the number of licensed pot growers or processors.