The Seattle School Board has approved a plan to close up to 5 elementary schools next year. An earlier proposal would have closed 21 schools. We talk with KUOW education reporter Sami West about why the district changed course, and what comes next.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW.

We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback.

The Seattle School Board has <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/timeline-set-for-seattle-school-closures-5-possible-schools-yet-to-be-named">approved a plan</a> to close up to 5 elementary schools next year. An earlier proposal would have closed 21 schools. We talk with KUOW education reporter Sami West about why the district changed course, and what comes next.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">making a gift</a> to KUOW.
We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback</a>.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now

Seattle to close up to 5 schools, here's what happens next

As Washington adds taxes that target the wealthy, some of those residents say they’re leaving the state – or at least considering it.

But how many millionaires will actually leave?

Seattle Times reporters Paul Roberts and Jim Brunner looked into the actual evidence and will share what they’ve found.

Read their story here.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

As Washington adds taxes that target the wealthy, some of those residents say they&rsquo;re leaving the state &ndash; or at least considering it.
But how many millionaires will actually leave?
Seattle Times reporters Paul Roberts and Jim Brunner looked into the actual evidence and will share what they&rsquo;ve found.
Read their story <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/are-wa-millionaires-really-leaving-to-avoid-tax/">here</a>.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

As Washington adds taxes that target the wealthy, some of those residents say they’re leaving the state – or at least considering it.  But how many millionaires will actually leave?  Seattle Times reporters Paul Roberts and Jim Brunner looked into the actual evidence and will share what they’ve found.

Will WA's millionaires leave before they're taxed?

It’s official: Washington state is the tabletop gaming capital of the world. So says Secretary of State Steve Hobbs–or, as he’s known in Dungeons and Dragons, Happy Tracker Meow Meow. The Seattle region has achieved epic tier status, with international corporations, independent publishers, major conventions, cafes and pubs all dedicated to tabletop gaming. In this episode, Hobbs and Flatout Games co-founder Molly Johnson flex their high charisma with expertise in persuasion as they explain why Seattle is the gaming hotspot. 

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

It&rsquo;s official: Washington state is the tabletop gaming capital of the world. So says Secretary of State Steve Hobbs&ndash;or, as he&rsquo;s known in Dungeons and Dragons, Happy Tracker Meow Meow. The Seattle region has achieved epic tier status, with international corporations, independent publishers, major conventions, cafes and pubs all dedicated to tabletop gaming. In this episode, Hobbs and Flatout Games co-founder Molly Johnson flex their high charisma with expertise in persuasion as they explain why Seattle is the gaming hotspot.&nbsp;
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Host Dyer Oxley discusses why Seattle has a booming tabletop gaming scene. 

Why is tabletop gaming so big in Seattle?

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…

First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It’s part of a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.

Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.

And finally, a group that’s been working for years to help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom&hellip;
First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It&rsquo;s part of <a href="https://www.kuow.org/education/2026-08-21/suquamish-tribe-focused-curriculum-decades-in-the-making-is-ready-for-washington-schools">a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.</a>
Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.
And finally, a group that&rsquo;s been working for years to <a href="https://www.knkx.org/public-health/2026-08-13/pierce-countys-opioid-task-force-disbands-leaving-advocates-in-the-lurch">help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.</a>
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…  First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It’s part of a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.  Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.  And finally, a group that’s been working for years to help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.

Suquamish Tribe-focused curriculum is ready for Washington schools, U.S. Forest Service restructuring impacts research in the Northwest, and Pierce County’s Opioid Task Force disbands, leaving advocates in the lurch

Seattle to close up to 5 schools, here's what happens next

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