It’s official: Washington state is the tabletop gaming capital of the world. So says Secretary of State Steve Hobbs–or, as he’s known in Dungeons and Dragons, Happy Tracker Meow Meow. The Seattle region has achieved epic tier status, with international corporations, independent publishers, major conventions, cafes and pubs all dedicated to tabletop gaming. In this episode, Hobbs and Flatout Games co-founder Molly Johnson flex their high charisma with expertise in persuasion as they explain why Seattle is the gaming hotspot. 

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.

It&rsquo;s official: Washington state is the tabletop gaming capital of the world. So says Secretary of State Steve Hobbs&ndash;or, as he&rsquo;s known in Dungeons and Dragons, Happy Tracker Meow Meow. The Seattle region has achieved epic tier status, with international corporations, independent publishers, major conventions, cafes and pubs all dedicated to tabletop gaming. In this episode, Hobbs and Flatout Games co-founder Molly Johnson flex their high charisma with expertise in persuasion as they explain why Seattle is the gaming hotspot.&nbsp;
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>

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

Host Dyer Oxley discusses why Seattle has a booming tabletop gaming scene. 

Why is tabletop gaming so big in Seattle?

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

First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It’s part of a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.

Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.

And finally, a group that’s been working for years to help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.

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 the KUOW Newsroom&hellip;
First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It&rsquo;s part of <a href="https://www.kuow.org/education/2026-08-21/suquamish-tribe-focused-curriculum-decades-in-the-making-is-ready-for-washington-schools">a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.</a>
Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.
And finally, a group that&rsquo;s been working for years to <a href="https://www.knkx.org/public-health/2026-08-13/pierce-countys-opioid-task-force-disbands-leaving-advocates-in-the-lurch">help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.</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 the KUOW Newsroom…  First, the Suquamish Tribe has unveiled a new social studies curriculum for neighboring public schools to use. It’s part of a statewide decades-long effort to teach Washington state students tribal history.  Next, at least three research and development facilities in the Northwest are being considered for closure after US Forest Service restructuring. Scientists are working to continue long term research as they wait for answers.  And finally, a group that’s been working for years to help address the opioid epidemic in Pierce County is being quietly shut down.

Suquamish Tribe-focused curriculum is ready for Washington schools, U.S. Forest Service restructuring impacts research in the Northwest, and Pierce County’s Opioid Task Force disbands, leaving advocates in the lurch

WA scores legal victory over vote-by-mail, DOJ sues WA over in-state tuition for immigrant students, and fare gates are coming to light rail stations.

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

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.

WA <a href="https://www.kuow.org/elections/2026-08-28/mail-in-voting-will-continue-for-now-wa-officials-laud-latest-ruling">scores legal victory</a> over vote-by-mail, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/law/2026-08-27/doj-sues-washington-over-granting-in-state-tuition-to-immigrant-students">DOJ sues</a> WA over in-state tuition for immigrant students, and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/governing/2026-08-27/fare-gates-coming-to-14-seattle-area-light-rail-stations">fare gates are coming</a> to light rail stations.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Vaughan Jones.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<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&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> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

WA scores legal victory over vote-by-mail, DOJ sues WA over in-state tuition for immigrant students, and fare gates are coming to light rail stations.

Friday Evening Headlines

This week…

More speed cameras are coming to Seattle and being vandalized in Bellevue.

Seattle saw its last 8PM sunset of the year.

And the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, just in time for 85 degree weather.

Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh and KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher 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 or on the KUOW App.

This week&hellip;
More speed cameras are coming to Seattle and being vandalized in Bellevue.
Seattle saw its last 8PM sunset of the year.
And the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, just in time for 85 degree weather.
Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh and KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher are here to break down the week.
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>

This week…  More speed cameras are coming to Seattle and being vandalized in Bellevue.  Seattle saw its last 8PM sunset of the year.  And the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, just in time for 85 degree weather.  Seattle Times Food Writer Tan Vinh and KUOW Editor Phyllis Fletcher are here to break down the week.

Why is tabletop gaming so big in Seattle?

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