Whooping cough is making a major comeback in Washington state. At this time last year, there were 54 cases of pertussis. Right now, the statewide case count is more than 1,300. The bacterial disease is most dangerous to babies, and many who get it require hospitalization. We talk with UW Medicine's Dr. Helen Chu about why whooping cough is surging in Washington.

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Whooping cough is making a major comeback in Washington state. At this time last year, there were 54 cases of pertussis. Right now, the statewide <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/whooping-cough">case count</a> is more than 1,300. The bacterial disease is most dangerous to babies, and many who get it require hospitalization. We talk with UW Medicine's <a href="https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/helen-chu">Dr. Helen Chu</a> about why whooping cough is surging in Washington.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">making a gift</a> to KUOW.
We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback</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

WA is getting whooped by whooping cough

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

First, President Joe Biden announced an executive order that created the first-ever national assessment of nature, but President Donald Trump rescinded the effort on his first day in office.

The team that had started the work – led by a professor at the University of Washington – refused to give it up. Read more here.

Next, doctors at UW Medicine’s Long Covid Clinic are beginning to see patterns of how Long Covid is impacting various communities, including Latino farmworkers. Read more here.

And finally, you heard about it on Casual Friday - The notoriously late number 8 bus in Seattle is finally getting fixed. Read more 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 newsrooms across Washington&hellip;
First, President Joe Biden announced an executive order that created the first-ever national assessment of nature, but President Donald Trump rescinded the effort on his first day in office.
The team that had started the work &ndash; led by a professor at the University of Washington &ndash; refused to give it up. <a href="https://www.knkx.org/environment/2026-04-22/trump-canceled-national-nature-assessment-scientists-will-publish-anyway">Read more here.</a>
Next, doctors at UW Medicine&rsquo;s Long Covid Clinic are beginning to see patterns of how Long Covid is impacting various communities, including Latino farmworkers. <a href="https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-04-19/latino-farmworkers-experience-high-long-covid-rates-face-gaps-in-care">Read more here.</a>
And finally, you heard about it on Casual Friday - The notoriously late number 8 bus in Seattle is finally getting fixed. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-s-late-8-bus-route-gets-an-overdue-upgrade-can-the-l8-become-g8">Read more 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.
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 newsrooms across Washington…  First, President Joe Biden announced an executive order that created the first-ever national assessment of nature, but President Donald Trump rescinded the effort on his first day in office.   The team that had started the work – led by a professor at the University of Washington – refused to give it up.  Next, doctors at UW Medicine’s Long Covid Clinic are beginning to see patterns of how Long Covid is impacting various communities, including Latino farmworkers.  And finally, you heard about it on Casual Friday - The notoriously late number 8 bus in Seattle is finally getting fixed.

Weekend Listen: Trump canceled the National Nature Assessment. Scientists will publish it anyway, how UW Medicine is treating Latino farmworkers with Long Covid, and how Mayor Katie Wilson plans to fix the “L8”

Free pop-up health clinic sees high demand, credit rating agency puts Washington on notice, and your sewer bill could be going up.

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.

Free pop-up health clinic sees <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/free-pop-up-clinic-sees-surge-of-demand-on-its-first-day">high demand</a>, credit rating agency puts Washington <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/top-credit-rating-agency-puts-washington-on-notice">on notice</a>, and your sewer bill could be going up.
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>.

Free pop-up health clinic sees high demand, credit rating agency puts Washington on notice, and your sewer bill could be going up.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week…

Mayor Katie Wilson has a plan to fix Seattle's least reliable bus.

Watch your tail… The city is ramping up its off-leash dog enforcement.

And people got way too close to some sea lions hanging out in Ballard. 

Stranger Editor Vivian McCall and Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones 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;
Mayor Katie Wilson has a plan to fix Seattle's least reliable bus.
Watch your tail&hellip; The city is ramping up its off-leash dog enforcement.
And people got way too close to some sea lions hanging out in Ballard.&nbsp;
Stranger Editor Vivian McCall and Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones 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…  Mayor Katie Wilson has a plan to fix Seattle's least reliable bus.  Watch your tail… The city is ramping up its off-leash dog enforcement.  And people got way too close to some sea lions hanging out in Ballard.   Stranger Editor Vivian McCall and Seattle Now Producer Vaughan Jones are here to break down the week. 

WA is getting whooped by whooping cough

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