KUOW's Katie Campbell speaks with writer George Saunders about his latest novel, "Vigil." It's set at the deathbed of an 87 year old oil tycoon and climate change denier named KJ Boone. While Boone is dying, an angel comes to get him to revisit some of his most harmful decisions. 

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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.

KUOW's Katie Campbell speaks with writer George Saunders about his latest novel, "Vigil." It's set at the deathbed of an 87 year old oil tycoon and climate change denier named KJ Boone. While Boone is dying, an angel comes to get him to revisit some of his most harmful decisions.&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. 
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 leave us feedback online or on the KUOW app.

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

This week, KUOW's Katie Campbell speaks with writer George Saunders about his latest novel "Vigil."

Death, ghosts, and AI with George Saunders

Today, we’re helping you prep for next month’s election with KUOW’s “Soundside.”

One of the closest races in Washington state elections this year is between two Democrats on the Eastside… 

Despite their party alignment, they disagree on a key issue facing the state.

Following a “no” vote on Washington’s millionaires tax in March, incumbent state house Representative Amy Walen (WALL-in) found she was facing a challenge from her own party, from Redmond city council member Jessica Forsythe.

A measly 17 votes separated the two candidates in the primary. 

Meanwhile, the race has attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars of independent expenditures in support of both campaigns.

They’re vying to represent the 48th Legislative District, one of the wealthiest districts in the state which includes parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.

Walen and Forsythe answered questions about their candidacy as part of a debate moderated by Soundside’s David Kroman.

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 helping you prep for <a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcast/soundside">next month&rsquo;s election with KUOW&rsquo;s &ldquo;Soundside.&rdquo;</a>
One of the closest races in Washington state elections this year is between two Democrats on the Eastside&hellip;&nbsp;
Despite their party alignment, they disagree on a key issue facing the state.
Following a &ldquo;no&rdquo; vote on Washington&rsquo;s millionaires tax in March, incumbent state house Representative Amy Walen (WALL-in) found she was facing a challenge from her own party, from Redmond city council member Jessica Forsythe.
A measly 17 votes separated the two candidates in the primary.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the race has attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars of independent expenditures in support of both campaigns.
They&rsquo;re vying to represent the 48th Legislative District, one of the wealthiest districts in the state which includes parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.
Walen and Forsythe answered questions about their candidacy as part of a debate moderated by Soundside&rsquo;s David Kroman.
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 helping you prep for next month’s election with KUOW’s “Soundside.”  One of the closest races in Washington state elections this year is between two Democrats on the Eastside…   Despite their party alignment, they disagree on a key issue facing the state.  Following a “no” vote on Washington’s millionaires tax in March, incumbent state house Representative Amy Walen (WALL-in) found she was facing a challenge from her own party, from Redmond city council member Jessica Forsythe.  A measly 17 votes separated the two candidates in the primary.   Meanwhile, the race has attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars of independent expenditures in support of both campaigns.  They’re vying to represent the 48th Legislative District, one of the wealthiest districts in the state which includes parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.  Walen and Forsythe answered questions about their candidacy as part of a debate moderated by Soundside’s David Kroman.

As PAC money pours in, two Democrats fight to represent the Eastside

DOJ is sending election monitors to King County, drought conditions are affecting salmon runs in WA, and we look into safety concerns at WA's pulp mills.

It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Vaughan Jones.

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.

DOJ is <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/10/23/doj-sending-election-monitors-to-was-king-county/">sending election monitors</a> to King County, drought conditions are affecting salmon runs in WA, and we <a href="https://www.kuow.org/environment/2026-10-22/after-deadly-implosion-are-washington-pulp-mills-safe">look into safety concerns</a> at WA's pulp mills.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Vaughan Jones.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<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&nbsp;<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>

DOJ is sending election monitors to King County, drought conditions are affecting salmon runs in WA, and we look into safety concerns at WA's pulp mills.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week…

Sound Transit says it needs $10 billion to get the Light Rail to Ballard.

King County is no longer sending out “I Voted” stickers with your ballot.

And some of Seattle’s best athletes gathered for a marathon with a burger-filled twist.

Author Geraldine DeRuiter and Stranger Editor Nathalie Graham are here to break down the week.

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.

This week&hellip;
Sound Transit says it needs $10 billion to get the Light Rail to Ballard.
King County is no longer sending out &ldquo;I Voted&rdquo; stickers with your ballot.
And some of Seattle&rsquo;s best athletes gathered for a marathon with a burger-filled twist.
Author Geraldine DeRuiter and Stranger Editor Nathalie Graham are here to break down the week.
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>

This week…  Sound Transit says it needs $10 billion to get the Light Rail to Ballard.  King County is no longer sending out “I Voted” stickers with your ballot.  And some of Seattle’s best athletes gathered for a marathon with a burger-filled twist.  Author Geraldine DeRuiter and Stranger Editor Nathalie Graham are here to break down the week. 

Death, ghosts, and AI with George Saunders

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