The 2026 legislative session kicked off this week in Olympia. State lawmakers have a lot to figure out – especially the budget that’s still underwater. One idea that's getting floated is an income tax on millionaires. Paul Queary is here to explain what lawmakers are getting up to. He’s editor and publisher of the Washington Observer.

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 2026 legislative session kicked off this week in Olympia. State lawmakers have a lot to figure out &ndash; especially the budget that&rsquo;s still underwater. One idea that's getting floated is an income tax on millionaires. Paul Queary is here to explain what lawmakers are getting up to. He&rsquo;s editor and publisher of the <a href="https://washingtonobserver.substack.com/">Washington Observer</a>.
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>.

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 2026 legislative session kicked off this week in Olympia. State lawmakers have a lot to figure out – especially the budget that’s still underwater. One idea that's getting floated is an income tax on millionaires. Paul Queary is here to explain what lawmakers are getting up to. He’s editor and publisher of the Washington Observer.

Tax the wealthy? New session, big questions for WA lawmakers

The Seattle-area saw several protests this weekend, a new legislative session brings several new bills, and avalanches are making ski season dangerous.

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.

The Seattle-area saw several protests this weekend, a new legislative session brings several new bills, and avalanches are making ski season dangerous.
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>.

The Seattle-area saw several protests this weekend, a new legislative session brings several new bills, and avalanches are making ski season dangerous.  It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

Monday Evening Headlines

The Asian market Uwajimaya is having a long overdue homecoming, sort of.

Plans are in motion to open a new store in Tacoma next year.

That's actually where the family-owned business first opened nearly 100 years ago.

We’ll talk to Uwajimaya’s CEO, and the Puget Sound Business Journal reporter who broke the news.

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 Asian market Uwajimaya is having a long overdue homecoming, sort of.
Plans are in motion to open a new store in Tacoma next year.
That's actually where the family-owned business first opened nearly 100 years ago.
We&rsquo;ll talk to Uwajimaya&rsquo;s CEO, and the Puget Sound Business Journal reporter who broke the news.
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>.

The Asian market Uwajimaya is having a long overdue homecoming, sort of.  Plans are in motion to open a new store in Tacoma next year.  That's actually where the family-owned business first opened nearly 100 years ago. We’ll talk to Uwajimaya’s CEO, and the Puget Sound Business Journal reporter who broke the news.

Uwajimaya returns to Tacoma, nearly 100 years later

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

We’ll start with a story about a local family who self-deported to Guatemala earlier this week.

The family of 3 and their cat left on Wednesday after losing their asylum case.

Casey Martin has the story.

Our other story comes from Bellingham.

The city of Bellingham is conducting an internal investigation after evidence was uncovered that a staffer may have rigged a bidding process for a city contract to favor one vendor over another.

What is new, though, is that the city employee allegedly used ChatGPT to skew the outcome. 

At least one expert says it may be the first time AI has been at the center of this kind of scandal. 

KNKX reporter Nate Sanford talked about it with KUOW’s Kim Malcolm in a recent interview.

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;
We&rsquo;ll start with a story about a local family who self-deported to Guatemala earlier this week.
The family of 3 and their cat left on Wednesday after losing their asylum case.
Casey Martin has the story.
Our other story comes from Bellingham.
The city of Bellingham is conducting an internal investigation after evidence was uncovered that a staffer may have rigged a bidding process for a city contract to favor one vendor over another.
What is new, though, is that the city employee allegedly used ChatGPT to skew the outcome.&nbsp;
At least one expert says it may be the first time AI has been at the center of this kind of scandal.&nbsp;
KNKX reporter Nate Sanford talked about it with KUOW&rsquo;s Kim Malcolm in a recent interview.
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>.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…  We’ll start with a story about a local family who self-deported to Guatemala earlier this week.  The family of 3 and their cat left on Wednesday after losing their asylum case.  Casey Martin has the story.  Our other story comes from Bellingham.  The city of Bellingham is conducting an internal investigation after evidence was uncovered that a staffer may have rigged a bidding process for a city contract to favor one vendor over another.  What is new, though, is that the city employee allegedly used ChatGPT to skew the outcome.   At least one expert says it may be the first time AI has been at the center of this kind of scandal.   KNKX reporter Nate Sanford talked about it with KUOW’s Kim Malcolm in a recent interview.

Tax the wealthy? New session, big questions for WA lawmakers

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