The Seattle Symphony has a new music director… And she’s breaking new ground.

Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history…

And she’s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.

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.

The Seattle Symphony has a new music director&hellip; And she&rsquo;s breaking new ground.
Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history&hellip;
And she&rsquo;s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.
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

The Seattle Symphony has a new music director… And she’s breaking new ground.  Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history…  And she’s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.

Seattle Symphony's new music director loves Bach and Seattle audiences

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington.

First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty to an already challenging business.

Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.

And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma have voted to form unions in the last six months.

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 newsrooms across Washington.
First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/high-fuel-costs-are-testing-washington-and-oregon-s-fishing-industry">They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty</a> to an already challenging business.
Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-20/on-the-outskirts-of-the-tri-cities-work-on-a-mammoth-dig-site-is-underway">Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.</a>
And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma <a href="https://www.knkx.org/law/2026-05-22/stronger-together-tacoma-renters-unionizing-landlords-housing">have voted to form unions in the last six months</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 newsrooms across Washington.  First, rising diesel prices are squeezing the Pacific Northwest fishing industry. They're cutting into profits and adding new uncertainty to an already challenging business.  Next, for around 15 years, people have slowly dug up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities. Along the way, people have made a lot of other discoveries.  And finally, renters in six apartment complexes in Tacoma have voted to form unions in the last six months.

Weekend Listen: Diesel prices are squeezing the PNW’s fishing industry, digging up mammoth bones near the Tri-Cities, and Tacoma renters are forming tenant's unions

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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

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.

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<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>.

Airports in Washington are getting some extra money, the North Aurora Avenue community wants gun violence addressed now, and a Seattle middle schooler is heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week:

The Seattle Opera had its first Furry Night.

Memorial Day travelers are feeling the strain of high prices. 

And young male Mariners fans are ripping their shirts off at games.

KUOW community engagement director Zaki Hamid and KUOW reporter Casey Martin 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:
The Seattle Opera had its first Furry Night.
Memorial Day travelers are feeling the strain of high prices.&nbsp;
And young male Mariners fans are ripping their shirts off at games.
KUOW community engagement director Zaki Hamid and KUOW reporter Casey Martin 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: The Seattle Opera had its first Furry Night.  Memorial Day travelers are feeling the strain of high prices.   And young male Mariners fans are ripping their shirts off at games.  KUOW community engagement director Zaki Hamid and KUOW reporter Casey Martin are here to break down the week.

Seattle Symphony's new music director loves Bach and Seattle audiences

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