Listen to The Conversation online

Floods, Banning Lead in Toys, and Seattle School Closures

Wed, Jan 7 Listen

Floods Disrupt Western Washington Rivers are overflowing in Western Washington. Hundreds of Orting residents have been told to evacuate their homes. Store owners in Randle are fighting desperately to protect their businesses. We'll have the latest on the flooding. Banning Lead in Used Toys and Clothes A new federal rule that requires all used toys and clothing be tested for lead goes into effect February 10. It's aimed at protecting children. All toys and clothes that are not tested will be...

The Future of Public Television

Tue, Jan 6 Listen

New KCTS President Moss Bresnahan Five years ago Seattle's public TV station KCTS9 was in crisis. The station president resigned amid charges of financial mismanagement. Since then KCTS has climbed out of a financial hole but public TV still faces challenges. The average age of viewers is over 60. There are fewer people watching every year. Now a new president has taken the helm at Channel 9. Moss Bresnahan comes from running a public TV network in South Carolina. He joins us to talk about...

Should Taxpayer Dollars Go to Expanding the Convention Center?

Mon, Jan 5 Listen

Garbage pickup during Snowpocalypse We continue our assessment of how local government performed during the snow storm. We'll focus on garbage pick up with Seattle's solid waste director. Taxpayer dollars to expand the Convention Center? There's a move afoot to nearly double the size of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. It would cost more than the public paid for Safeco Field and Qwest Field combined. The hotel tax would be the revenue source. Is this the best way to spend...

Getting Organized in 2009: What's Your New Year's Resolution?

Fri, Jan 2 Listen

What's Your New Year's Resolution? The new year stretches out in front of us: 365.5 days to go in 2009, and they're fresh and new and full of promise. So, what are you going to do with them? Are you a typeA organizer? A wishful resolution maker? Or more of a spontaneous type person who will welcome each day of the new year as it comes? How can you make 2009 the year you want it to be? Also, what were your resolutions last year? Did they work out? Maury Island Mine Protests A dozen protestors...

From the Conversation Vault: Is Seattle a Great Music Town?

Thu, Jan 1 Listen

A generation ago, Seattle was the whitehot center of popular music. Nirvana, Pearl Jam and all the rest. In 2008, how vibrant is Seattle's music scene? Whether you're a fan of rock, classical, jazz, or any kind of music, what's your take? You tell us if the talent is strong, the venues varied, the audiences enthusiastic. What do you see as a fan, performer or promoter? What makes the music scene great? What drags it down? Why are so many Seattle indie rockers moving to Portland? What role do...

Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond and How Was Your 2008?

Wed, Dec 31 Listen

How did Metro buses perform during the storm last week? Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond will be with us to answer your questions. Also today, how was your 2008? How would you finish the sentence, the most important thing that happened in my life in 2008 was....? Tell us in 60 seconds or less. Or sing a song, read a clean limerick, compose a haiku. What was memorable about 2008 to you? Was it a birth, a death, a graduation, sending your kid off to school? Was it an encounter with the...

Israel Continues Air Attacks on Gaza

Tue, Dec 30 Listen

Reportedly 370 people have died in Gaza from four days of Israeli air attacks. The Israelis say they're trying to stop Hamas rocket and mortar assaults into Israel that have killed three civilians and one soldier. Today, there are reports that the Israelis are considering both a truce offer and a ground invasion of the Gaza strip. Is Israel justified in the air attacks, as the Bush administration says? Is the retaliation excessive? What should the U.S. government do to help bring a...

House Speaker Frank Chopp

Mon, Dec 29 Listen

House Speaker Frank Chopp House speaker Frank Chopp is one of the most powerful figures in state government. The state faces a five billion dollar budget deficit. Chopp says it's not as bad as it sounds. The speaker will be our guest today to talk about the state's looming budget deficit, his proposal to build a new viaduct on Seattle's waterfront with a park on top, and to answer your questions. Does Seattle Deserve a 'B' for Its Snow Removal Effort? Also today, the rain is melting away the...

More Treasures From the Conversation Vault

Fri, Dec 26 Listen

Performance Artist Laurie Anderson Laurie Anderson is an artist, author and musician. She rose to the top of the British pop charts with her 1980 hit O Superman and she was NASA's first ever artistinresidence in 2002. She talks about her latest performance, Homeland, and why there should be an artistinresidence in the White House. 'Math Guy' Keith Devlin Keith Devlin is a math professor at Stanford and NPR's 'Math Guy.' He'll explain the origins of probability theory. Until the 17th century,...

Treasures From the Conversation Vault

Thu, Dec 25 Listen

Can Less Be More for the Holidays? With the holidays here and the economy in the dumps you may be cutting back. Can you have just as much holiday fun while spending less? Are you changing your giftgiving tradition? Are you making gifts instead of buying them? How to Avoid Holiday Travel Fiascos Travel writer Rick Steves gives advice on avoiding holiday travel fiascoes. Rick Steves will also suggest ways to improvise when travel plans go awry. What was your worst holiday travel nightmare?

Big Snow in Seattle: What Could the City Do Better Next Time?

Wed, Dec 24 Listen

Nature applied a third coat of snow and ice to Seattle in under a week. Garbage pickup has been delayed, bus service has been cut in half, and rain is finally on the way to melt us out and get things moving again. Weather this severe may not come often to Seattle, but this week highlighted how big an impact a major snowstorm can have. The Seattle Times reported that slippery roads were even keeping police from responding to calls. Does the city need to rethink the plan for providing basic...

What is the Future of Washington State Ferries?

Tue, Dec 23 Listen

Washington State Ferries Director David Moseley There are major challenges dead ahead for Washington State Ferries. The agency's proposed longrange plan calls for fewer car ferries and more passengeronly boats to cut operating costs. What does the future of Washington's state ferry system look like? WSF Director David Moseley joins us to take your questions. Travel Update: SeaTac Flight cancellations have slowed and people appear to be having better luck at the airport today. With deicer on...

UW President Mark Emmert and Weather Update from Cliff Mass

Mon, Dec 22 Listen

Weather Update from Cliff Mass Two storms delivered Seattle's heaviest snowfall in decades and there's more on the way. Buses are rerouted, flights are cancelled, and side streets have been turned into sledding runs. Do travelers have any hope of getting out of town for the holidays? We'll find out what's ahead weatherwise from UW atmospheric scientist Cliff Mass. UW President Mark Emmert Answers Your Questions The snow has shut down all three of its campuses, but University of Washington...

How Are You Handling the Big Freeze? Plus, Obama's Inauguration Controversy

Fri, Dec 19 Listen

How Are You Handling the Big Freeze? Is the big freeze of '08 a welcome break from your daily routine? Are you having fun skating down your street? Or is it a hardship? Kids are home from school. Many adult day centers are closed. Are you making lemons into lemon popsicles, or are you hurting? Controversy Over Invocation for the Inauguration Evangelical minister Rick Warren is Barack Obama's choice to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. Some believe Warren's opposition to gay...

Are We Weather Wimps? And, Governor Gregoire Unveils Recession Budget

Thu, Dec 18 Listen

Are We Weather Wimps? Yeah, we're not used to snow. And yeah, we don't have many snow plows. But are we going overboard? Are we weather wimps? Should a snow storm be this disruptive? We'll update you on the weather forecast, the roads and public transit. It's the second snow day in a row in many school districts. If you're home from school, what are you up to? If you're a parent, is it a vacation for you? Have you found entertaining things to do? Or are you going stir crazy? Governor's New...

What Was the Most Overlooked News Story in 2008?

Wed, Dec 17 Listen

Project Censored at Sonoma State University says the most overlooked news story of 2008 is the British survey that found over one million Iraqis have been killed as a result of the U.S. intervention. Over at Foreign Policy magazine they say the surge of troops in Afghanistan is already underway, and that's the top story you've probably missed. What do you consider to be the most overlooked news story of this year? Tell us the story that amazed you, but nobody else heard. City's Homeless in...

Energy and Environment with Denis Hayes

Tue, Dec 16 Listen

Energy and the Environment in the Obama Administration This week, Barack Obama appointed his team on the environment and energy. What should be their top priority for the first 100 days? The Bush administration is opening up gas and oil leases in its final days. Will the Presidentelect change that? What will a new administration in Washington, D.C., mean for local and state efforts to reduce global warming? Denis Hayes will lead our discussion of energy and the environment. Hayes directs The...

Affordable Housing Incentive and Being Homeless in the Big Freeze

Mon, Dec 15 Listen

Affordable Housing Today the Seattle City Council votes on new incentives to get builders to include affordable housing in their plans. Developers and affordable housing advocates are leery of the idea. Plus, housing prices are falling because of the financial crisis. Are you finding apartments and houses more affordable? How is the cost of housing affecting you? Homeless in the Big Freeze How are those without permanent shelter faring in the cold weather? Are the tents and sleeping bags in...

Guns in Public Places and the Two Viaduct Options

Fri, Dec 12 Listen

Gun Ban The Interior Department will soon allow you to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges. This overturns a rule from the Reagan era that banned loaded guns in parks. Also, next month Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels will ban firearms at city facilities like Seattle Center. Where should guns be banned? Where should they be allowed? Two Viaduct Options Now there are two. Options to replace the Alaskan Way viaduct, that is. Last night transportation officials put...

Law, Order and the NPR Layoffs

Thu, Dec 11 Listen

Challenge To Washington's ThreeStrikes Law Washington's threestrikes law sends people to prison for life after three convictions. Now King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg thinks we need to take a second look at the law. Today, Satterberg, a judge and a man who helped write the law will be in court asking for clemency for a man who is serving life for his three convictions. Is the threestrikes law just? AntiCorruption Legislation: Have We Made Any Progress? The astounding corruption charges...

Obama's Public Works Program and the Bear Who Became a Bull

Wed, Dec 10 Listen

Presidentelect Barack Obama is proposing the biggest government public works program since the interstate highways to kick start the economy. Taxpayer money would go to schools, sewer systems, mass transit and electrical grids. There would be a flood of federal funding for green jobs in areas like alternative fuels and energy efficient heating and cooling system. Obama wants better broadband Internet access, improved information technology in health care, and computer upgrades for schools....

Newspapers on the Ropes, and Peter Goldmark, Public Lands Commissioner-Elec

Tue, Dec 9 Listen

The company that runs the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times is declaring bankruptcy. It's the first major news organization to do so in this current economic downturn, but it may not be the last. One observer says this is the year when the printed media crashed with a sudden velocity and with consequences that are irreversible. What do you think about the decline of the newspaper business? Yikes! Or so what? Do you read news in print? Peter Goldmark joins us today. In November the...

What Should Replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct?

Mon, Dec 8 Listen

There are no fewer than eight options to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct. This week, they will be narrowed down to two or three. Governor Gregoire says she'll pick the final choice by mid January. What would you like to see done? The remaining eight choices boil down to three categories: a surface option, a new viaduct, or a tunnel. Which one will move vehicles and people quickly, improve Seattle's waterfront and be the most economical? Which do you support? Bee Colony Collapse A honey...

Job Fair On Air

Fri, Dec 5 Listen

New numbers out show the worst job losses in 30 years. The unemployment rate is 6.7 percent. Today on The Conversation, we're holding a job fair on the air. If you're looking for work, give us call with a brief pitch. If you're hiring, describe your ideal job candidate. Also, piracy is on the rise. This week a cruise ship outran pirates. Captain Kelly Sweeney tells us about what happened when the ship he was on was attacked by pirates in the Caribbean. Captain K. has some thoughts on how to...

Who Does Well In Hard Times? And, The Annual War on Christmas

Thu, Dec 4 Listen

Who Does Well in Hard Times? Thousands of Washington Mutual employees got their layoff notices this week. It's just the latest round of bad economic news. That got us wondering about who is doing well despite of, or maybe even because of, hard times. Do you know of a job, a business, or a nonprofit that's thriving despite the stumbling economy? What personality type is best suited to handle a recession? The Annual War on Christmas Also today, a sign posted by an atheist at the state capitol...

Automakers Have a New Bailout Request. And, New Streetcars for Seattle?

Wed, Dec 3 Listen

November car sales were the worst in 30 years. The leaders of GM, Chrysler and Ford are back with a new request for a taxpayer bailout. They're asking for more $34 billion instead of the $25 billion dollars they wanted a couple weeks ago. The automakers are desperate. Chrysler and GM say they'll run out of money before the end of the year. Should Congress bail out the Big Three?Speaking of transportation, we'll also talk about the plan to expand Seattle's street car system. The City Council...

Are More Teens Cheating and Stealing?

Tue, Dec 2 Listen

64 percent of U.S. teenagers have cheated on a test. 30 percent have stolen from a store. One in five has stolen from a parent or relative. That's according a new survey of nearly thirty thousand US teenagers. Do you think this accurately reflects the ethics of young people today? Did you cheat or steal as a teenager? Is it ever ok?Also today, why do U.S. students lag behind the rest of the world? Tony Wagner says even our best schools are not teaching the right skills.Plus, the Bush...

Your Reaction to the Mumbai Attack, and Jon Meacham on Andrew Jackson

Mon, Dec 1 Listen

Pakistani officials are denying involvement in last week's terrorist attack in Mumbai, India. The death toll is 178. At least ten armed men went on a shooting rampage unchecked by police. We'll try to answer your questions about the attack called India's 9/11. Do you have a connection to Mumbai? Tell us what you're hearing. Also today, we'll learn about President Andrew Jackson's lasting influence on the American presidency. Jackson was America's first frontier president. He fought duels and...

Seattle School Closures. Plus, What Are You Thankful For?

Wed, Nov 26 Listen

The Seattle School District has proposed closing and relocating schools. Superintendent Maria GoodloeJohnson told the Seattle Times This is not fun. This is really difficult. Why were these schools chosen? How does this improve Seattle schools? Why close schools at all? Is one of them yours? The School Board makes the final decision and they're getting an earful from parents who don't want their kids' schools shuttered or moved. If not your school, which school should be closed? Also today,...

How to Go Bankrupt

Tue, Nov 25 Listen

Bankruptcy filings in Washington State are up 40 percent from a year ago. What does it mean to declare bankruptcy? How do you do it? When is it your best option? How does bankruptcy affect your financial future? Bankruptcy attorney Jay Jump and financial counselor Andrea Misiano will be on hand to provide counsel. Also today, an overlooked change in veteran disability rules has riled vets. If you're not in combat when you're injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq you get a smaller disability...

The Conversation (Current Affairs)