Washington state does not have a system for parole.

That doesn’t leave many options for someone serving a long sentence to earn an early release. 

An important one is a form of clemency called commutation. Since Governor Bob Ferguson took office, he has denied every request for it so far.

We’ll get into what that means with InvestigateWest reporter Moe Clark.

Read Moe's reporting here.

Vote for Seattle Now to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award!

Submit cost and time saving strategies to Sound Transit.

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.

Washington state does not have a system for parole.
That doesn&rsquo;t leave many options for someone serving a long sentence to earn an early release.&nbsp;
An important one is a form of clemency called commutation. Since Governor Bob Ferguson took office, he has denied every request for it so far.
We&rsquo;ll get into what that means with InvestigateWest reporter Moe Clark.
Read Moe's reporting <a href="https://www.investigatewest.org/washington-governor-ferguson-clemency-denials/">here</a>.
Vote for Seattle Now <a href="https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/local-news">to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award!</a>
<a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-seeks-cost-saving-strategies-st3-projects">Submit</a>&nbsp;cost and time saving strategies to Sound Transit.
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>

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

Washington state does not have a system for parole.  That doesn’t leave many options for someone serving a long sentence to earn an early release.   An important one is a form of clemency called commutation. Since Governor Bob Ferguson took office, he has denied every request for it so far.  We’ll get into what that means with InvestigateWest reporter Moe Clark.

Gov. Ferguson isn't granting early prison releases. Some are losing hope.

Washington State Ferries is experiencing crew shortages and significant stoppages, the Snohomish River is closed to fishing this month, and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network recently laid off over half its staff.

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

Vote for Seattle Now to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award!

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.

Washington State Ferries is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/governing/2026-10-05/ferry-service-snarled-across-puget-sound-region-amid-worker-sick-out">experiencing crew shortages and significant stoppages</a>, the Snohomish River is closed to fishing this month, and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network recently <a href="https://www.kuow.org/immigration/2026-10-02/washington-nonprofit-that-runs-ice-reporting-hotline-lays-off-more-than-half-its-staff">laid off over half its staff</a>.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.
Vote for Seattle Now&nbsp;<a href="https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/local-news">to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award!</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&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>

Washington State Ferries is experiencing crew shortages and significant stoppages, the Snohomish River is closed to fishing this month, and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network recently laid off over half its staff.

Monday Evening Headlines

This spooky season, we’re digging up new things for you to be afraid of.

KUOW's Katie Campbell talked to our colleague and fellow horror nerd Felipe Barajas and author Mathilda Zeller to get recommendations to kick off the season.

Mentioned in this episode:
There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm
King Sorrow by Joe Hill
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck
It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller

Honorable mention:
Angel Down by Daniel Kraus

 

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 spooky season, we&rsquo;re digging up new things for you to be afraid of.
KUOW's Katie Campbell talked to our colleague and fellow horror nerd Felipe Barajas and author Mathilda Zeller to get recommendations to kick off the season.
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783041/there-is-no-antimemetics-division-by-qntm/">There Is No Antimemetics Division</a> by qntm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/king-sorrow-joe-hill?variant=44723302137890">King Sorrow</a> by Joe Hill</li>
<li><a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/486146/a-short-stay-in-hell-by-peck-steven-l/9781807840594">A Short Stay in Hell</a> by Steven L. Peck</li>
<li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250402035/itlookslikeyouinthedark/">It Looks Like You in the Dark</a> by Mathilda Zeller</li>
</ul>
Honorable mention:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Angel-Down-(Pulitzer-Prize-Winner)/Daniel-Kraus/9781668068458">Angel Down</a> by Daniel Kraus</li>
</ul>
&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.

Book recommendations to kick off spooky season.

Unlocking new fears this spooky season

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

This November, Sen. Jamie Pedersen will defend his seat in Seattle's 43rd Legislative District against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough. 

Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor activist and former legislative aide, is running to unseat Pedersen, who has represented the district for nearly two decades. 

The two sat down for separate interviews with Soundside to share why they think they're the best fit for the progressive district. 

Soundside is made by Libby Denkmann, David Kroman, Sarah Leibovitz, Hans Anderson, Jason Burrows, Gabrielle Healy, Jed Kim, and Maleeha Syed.

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 Soundside.</a>
This November, Sen. Jamie Pedersen will defend his seat in Seattle's 43rd Legislative District against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough.&nbsp;
Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor activist and former legislative aide, is running to unseat Pedersen, who has represented the district for nearly two decades.&nbsp;
The two sat down for separate interviews with Soundside to share why they think they're the best fit for the progressive district.&nbsp;
Soundside is made by Libby Denkmann, David Kroman, Sarah Leibovitz, Hans Anderson, Jason Burrows, Gabrielle Healy, Jed Kim, and Maleeha Syed.
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.”  This November, Sen. Jamie Pedersen will defend his seat in Seattle's 43rd Legislative District against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough.   Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor activist and former legislative aide, is running to unseat Pedersen, who has represented the district for nearly two decades.   The two sat down for separate interviews with Soundside to share why they think they're the best fit for the progressive district. 

Gov. Ferguson isn't granting early prison releases. Some are losing hope.

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