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

Today we're bringing you a special episode of KUOW's newest podcast Pocket Science.

Pocket Science explores the weird and groundbreaking work scientists are doing right in our Pacific Northwest backyard.

This episode is about gene editting.

It’s a mystery scientists have cracked to stop genetic mutations and cure diseases.

But there remains a massive accessibility issue for most people.

For example, over a hundred people have been cured of sickle cell anemia, but over 8 million people still have it.

Pocket Science host Gabriel Spitzer takes us to a lab in Seattle trying to make gene editing less expensive and time consuming for the people who need it.

More resources:
Hans-Peter Kiem
Kiem Lab

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're bringing you a special episode of KUOW's newest podcast Pocket Science.
Pocket Science explores the weird and groundbreaking work scientists are doing right in our Pacific Northwest backyard.
This episode is about gene editting.
It&rsquo;s a mystery scientists have cracked to stop genetic mutations and cure diseases.
But there remains a massive accessibility issue for most people.
For example, over a hundred people have been cured of sickle cell anemia, but over 8 million people still have it.
Pocket Science host Gabriel Spitzer takes us to a lab in Seattle trying to make gene editing less expensive and time consuming for the people who need it.
More resources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.fredhutch.org/en/people/k/hans-peter-kiem.html">Hans-Peter Kiem</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://research.fredhutch.org/kiem/en.html">Kiem Lab</a></li>
</ul>
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 bringing you a special episode of KUOW's newest podcast Pocket Science.  Pocket Science explores the weird and groundbreaking work scientists are doing right in our Pacific Northwest backyard.  This episode is about gene editting.  It’s a mystery scientists have cracked to stop genetic mutations and cure diseases.  But there remains a massive accessibility issue for most people.  For example, over a hundred people have been cured of sickle cell anemia, but over 8 million people still have it.  Pocket Science host Gabriel Spitzer takes us to a lab in Seattle trying to make gene editing less expensive and time consuming for the people who need it.

Enter the lab trying to take gene editing from saving hundreds to saving millions

As a new mom, juggling new identities, Jenna Hanchard began to wonder, “how do I come home to myself?”

That question became a creative spark that eventually led to her new film, "To Dress a Wound." Hanchard spoke with KUOW's Jeannie Yandel about how her process began after the birth of her second child...with writing poetry.

You can see Jenna Hanchard’s film, "To Dress a Wound," at Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill September 23 and 26. It premieres with the Local Sightings Film Festival, which features films and filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest.

Jenna will be at the September 23 screening for a Q&A. 
Jenna Hanchard
To Dress a Wound
Devyn Pedrano-Snow
Dany Srey-Snow
Studio 7117
Jasira Andrus
Andy Park 
4 Culture 
Northwest Film Forum
Local Sightings Film Festival 

As a new mom, juggling new identities, Jenna Hanchard began to wonder, &ldquo;how do I come home to myself?&rdquo;
That question became a creative spark that eventually led to her new film, "To Dress a Wound." Hanchard spoke with KUOW's Jeannie Yandel about how her process began after the birth of her second child...with writing poetry.
You can see Jenna Hanchard&rsquo;s film, "To Dress a Wound," at Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill September 23 and 26. It premieres with the Local Sightings Film Festival, which features films and filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest.
Jenna will be at the September 23 screening for a Q&amp;A.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://hysterichystories.com/">Jenna Hanchard</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://hysterichystories.com/about">To Dress a Wound</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.iamdevynsnow.com/">Devyn Pedrano-Snow</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://sreydanyco.com/about">Dany Srey-Snow</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.studio7117.com/">Studio 7117</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.washingtonfilmworks.org/team/jasira-diriye-she-her">Jasira Andrus</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.andyparkrecording.com/">Andy Park</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.4culture.org/">4 Culture</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/">Northwest Film Forum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/festivals/local-sightings-film-festival-pacific-nw/?autoplay=1">Local Sightings Film Festival&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

Filmmaker Jenna Hanchard honors her creative calling in her debut, "To Dress a Wound."

Jenna Hanchard's debut film stars Black girl grief, liberation, and herself

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

First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires.

Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course. 

And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region… Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, including around 85-thousand in Washington state.

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 bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington&hellip;
First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation <a href="https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-09-02/spr-news-today-finding-loved-ones-remains-in-the-ashes">helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires</a>.
Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a <a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/31/vancouver-high-school-maritime-program-second-year/">maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course.&nbsp;</a>
And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region&hellip; Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-09-02/families-reflect-on-impact-of-dolly-partons-imagination-library">including around 85-thousand in Washington state.</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 <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 bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington…  First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires.  Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course.   And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region… Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, including around 85-thousand in Washington state.

Finding loved ones' remains in wildfire ashes, Vancouver high school maritime program embarks on Year 2, and families reflect on impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

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

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