Fall Fund Drive: 5 stories that taught you something

It's time for the Fall Pledge Drive and we wanted to take a look back at some of the great stories from the past year that your support has made possible. 

Whether you are a first-time supporter, or would like to renew your support for great content like this, please do so now to be counted towards our pledge drive goal.

Here are five of the most popular stories from the past year: 

Mysterious sensory organ found in whale's chin

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Credit Smithsonian

If you came face to face with a great whale, you might find a few surprises in its chin: Like whiskers, if you look closely at the surface. And, hidden inside the chin, lies a mysterious sensory organ, unknown to centuries of whalers and biologists. Read more ...

How Marilyn Monroe changed Ella Fitzgerald's life

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If asked “Who  played an important role in the musical career of Ella Fitzgerald?” you might respond with names like Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, Norman Granz and Dizzy Gillespie.

The name Marilyn Monroe, however, might not come to mind. Read more ...

Our ongoing coverage of grey wolves in the Northwest

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Washington wildlife managers say the hunt for a pack of grey wolves is over. A state marksman killed the alpha male of the pack Thursday in far northeast Washington. The department has killed a total of seven wolves from the Wedge Pack since August. Read more ...

Tsunami debris hits NW coast; poster tells how to deal with it

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Debris from last year’s Japanese tsunami has in fact hit Northwest beaches, according to new modeling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Washington state is putting up posters to help you decide what to do if you spot any. Read more ... 

How an experiment on blind mice could help blind humans see

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A potential new cure for blindness is showing promise in an experiment at the University of Washington and University of California. The study shows that losing your eyesight as you grow older may someday be reversible. Read more ... 

This is just a few examples of the great stories you hear each and every day from the KPLU and NPR news teams.

Please show your support during our Fall Pledge Drive!