There’s a traffic jam in our courts in Washington state. 

Victims, and people accused of crimes, are waiting and waiting.

That's because in many cases, one person needs a public defender, and those are getting harder to come by.

Investigative reporter Aspen Ford joins us to talk about why, and it’s not just because attorneys are burnt out.

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.

There&rsquo;s a traffic jam in our courts in Washington state.&nbsp;
Victims, and people accused of crimes, are waiting and waiting.
That's because in many cases, one person needs a public defender, and those are getting harder to come by.
Investigative reporter Aspen Ford joins us to talk about why, and it&rsquo;s not just because attorneys are burnt out.
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

There’s a traffic jam in our courts in Washington state.   Victims, and people accused of crimes, are waiting and waiting.  That's because in many cases, one person needs a public defender, and those are getting harder to come by.  Investigative reporter Aspen Ford joins us to talk about why, and it’s not just because attorneys are burnt out.

WA is divided about our public defender crisis

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

First, public defenders are looking to reform Washington's bail system, but not everyone is on board.

Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who say they feel pushed aside for energy development.

And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. But they’re learning to coexist.

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, public defenders are looking to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/public-defenders-ask-wa-supreme-court-to-put-new-limits-on-cash-bail">reform Washington's bail system</a>, but not everyone is on board.
Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-11/the-yakama-nation-says-it-feels-pushed-aside-for-energy-developments-theyre-working-to-protect-sacred-sites">say they feel pushed aside for energy development</a>.
And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-13/landowners-conservationists-finding-new-ways-to-deal-with-beaver-problems">But they&rsquo;re learning to coexist</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.
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…  First, public defenders are looking to reform Washington's bail system, but not everyone is on board.  Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who say they feel pushed aside for energy development.  And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. But they’re learning to coexist. 

Weekend Listen: Public defenders spark debate about changing Washington’s bail system, the Yakima Nation says it feels pushed aside for energy developers, and landowners and conservationists are trying to deal with beaver problems

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.

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.

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.
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>.

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week… Costco is bringing a new oversized item to the food court.

Pike Place Market is inviting visitors to Sip and Stroll some weekends through the summer.

And the Mariners are bringing back that old school feeling with a live organist.

KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher and Seattle Now Senior Producer Andy Hurst 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; Costco is bringing a new oversized item to the food court.
Pike Place Market is inviting visitors to Sip and Stroll some weekends through the summer.
And the Mariners are bringing back that old school feeling with a live organist.
KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher and Seattle Now Senior Producer Andy Hurst 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… Costco is bringing a new oversized item to the food court.  Pike Place Market is inviting visitors to Sip and Stroll some weekends through the summer.  And the Mariners are bringing back that old school feeling with a live organist.  KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher and Seattle Now Senior Producer Andy Hurst are here to break down the week.

WA is divided about our public defender crisis

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