For decades, helicopters that transport kids to Seattle Children’s Hospital were required to land a mile away in some cases and make the rest of the journey by ambulance. That’s because some residents of the Laurelhurst neighborhood were concerned about noise.

After a social media post reignited the controversy, the hospital and the neighborhood association have agreed to revisit the policy. We talk with KUOW reporter Anna Boiko-Weyrauch.

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.

For decades, helicopters that transport kids to Seattle Children&rsquo;s Hospital were required to land a mile away in some cases and make the rest of the journey by ambulance.&nbsp;That&rsquo;s because some residents of the Laurelhurst neighborhood were concerned about noise.
After a social media post reignited the controversy, the hospital and the neighborhood association <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-children-s-and-laurelhurst-neighborhood-agree-to-change-controversial-helicopter-landing-policy">have agreed to revisit the policy</a>. We talk with&nbsp;KUOW reporter Anna Boiko-Weyrauch.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.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&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>.

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

For decades, helicopters that transport kids to Seattle Children’s Hospital were required to land a mile away in some cases and make the rest of the journey by ambulance. That’s because some residents of the Laurelhurst neighborhood were concerned about noise.  After a social media post reignited the controversy, the hospital and the neighborhood association have agreed to revisit the policy. We talk with KUOW reporter Anna Boiko-Weyrauch.

Laurelhurst, Seattle Children's agree to change helicopter landing policy

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

First, officials in Snohomish County are seeking emergency permission to fix a crumbling levee near the city of Stanwood.

Next, and this fire season is poised to be historic – not just because of the record-low snowpack and unprecedented spring heat. It will also be the first for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

And finally, every spring, purple martins fly to Tacoma. The migratory birds travel over six-thousand miles from Brazil to breed 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.

Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom&hellip;
First, officials in Snohomish County are seeking emergency permission to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/emergency-repairs-sought-for-damaged-stanwood-levee-north-of-seattle">fix a crumbling levee near the city of Stanwood.</a>
Next, and this fire season is poised to be historic &ndash; not just because of the record-low snowpack and unprecedented spring heat. <a href="https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-government/2026-04-30/brian-fennessy-us-wildland-fire-service-wildfire-forest-service-department-of-interior">It will also be the first for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.</a>
And finally, every spring, purple martins fly to Tacoma. The migratory birds <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-07/why-are-humans-creating-habitat-for-these-birds-in-tacoma">travel over six-thousand miles from Brazil to breed here.</a>
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.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>.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…  First, officials in Snohomish County are seeking emergency permission to fix a crumbling levee near the city of Stanwood.  Next, and this fire season is poised to be historic – not just because of the record-low snowpack and unprecedented spring heat. It will also be the first for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.  And finally, every spring, purple martins fly to Tacoma. The migratory birds travel over six-thousand miles from Brazil to breed here.

Weekend Listen: A crumbling levee in Snohomish County needs repairs, how our national wildland fire chief is thinking about fire season, and Brazilian birds are migrating to Tacoma

Effort to repeal 'millionaires tax' is underway, Seattle Children's and Laurelhurst neighborhood agree to change helicopter landing policy, and thousands in WA have dropped their health coverage.

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

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.

<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/voter-recall-effort-against-wa-s-millionaires-tax-launches-following-failed-lawsuit">Effort to repeal</a> 'millionaires tax' is underway, Seattle Children's and Laurelhurst neighborhood <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-children-s-and-laurelhurst-neighborhood-agree-to-change-controversial-helicopter-landing-policy">agree to change</a> helicopter landing policy, and thousands in WA have dropped their health coverage.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;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&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">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

Effort to repeal 'millionaires tax' is underway, Seattle Children's and Laurelhurst neighborhood agree to change helicopter landing policy, and thousands in WA have dropped their health coverage.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week…

Seattle hotels say bookings ahead of the FIFA World Cup are underwhelming.

Good Morning America showed off our region's beauty by broadcasting from a ferry.

And the Seattle Stair Walkers are finding community while doing an activity a lot of people hate. 

Arts reporter Jas Keimig and Factal Editor Joe Veyera 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.

This week&hellip;
Seattle hotels say bookings ahead of the FIFA World Cup are underwhelming.
Good Morning America showed off our region's beauty by broadcasting from a ferry.
And the Seattle Stair Walkers are finding community while doing an activity a lot of people hate.&nbsp;
Arts reporter Jas Keimig and Factal Editor Joe Veyera are here to break down the week.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.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&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>.

This week…  Seattle hotels say bookings ahead of the FIFA World Cup are underwhelming.  Good Morning America showed off our region's beauty by broadcasting from a ferry.  And the Seattle Stair Walkers are finding community while doing an activity a lot of people hate.   Arts reporter Jas Keimig and Factal Editor Joe Veyera are here to break down the week.

Laurelhurst, Seattle Children's agree to change helicopter landing policy

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