KUOW News Podcast

Washington State is one step closer to adopting an Oregon style Death with Dignity law. Supporters of I 1000 today (Wednesday) submitted well over the number of signatures they need to get the measure on this November's ballot. As Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports, opponents prayed while supporters cheered.

At the last minute, the city of Seattle reached a settlement with the owners of the Supersonics. The deal lets the Sonics leave for Oklahoma City, but gives incentives for Key Arena to host another NBA team down the road. KUOW's Amy Radil reports.

Two Northwest relief agencies are leading the effort to bring US food aid to North Korea. Officials from World Vision, based in Federal Way, and Mercy Corps, based in Portland, are on the ground in North Korea. They are overseeing the distribution of 37,000 tons of US wheat. It is the first direct US food aid to that country in 8 years. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports.

Thousands of retailers Washington state will have to change the way they charge sales tax. A new law takes effect today. It applies to any retailer that ships or delivers goods in the state, including internet retailers. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports.

The Washington State Patrol says it will have NO grace period for drivers who violate the state's new cell phone ban. The law goes into effect tonight [Monday night] after midnight. It makes it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone to your ear. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins has details.

Thousands of people in Washington State could lose their Medicaid coverage in the next couple of months. Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) the state must confirm those seeking coverage have proof of U.S.citizenship. KUOW's Jamala Henderson has more.

You can say goodbye to a viaduct retrofit, and that crazy Elliot Bay Bridge. Regional transportation officials yesterday (THU) released a list of 8 viaduct proposals that could replace the existing structure by 2012. KUOW's Jamala Henderson has more.

More than 25 hundred firefighters from the Northwest have been sent to Northern California to join the fight against the escalating wildfires there. Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

Closing arguments were heard yesterday in the city of Seattle's lawsuit against the Supersonics (THURS). Lawyers for the Sonics say the city has a right to seek enforcement of the Key Arena lease. But they claim the city crossed a line by plotting to force the sale of the team. KUOW's Amy Radil reports.

Gas prices have made the basics more expensive. That's a problem at food banks. More people are using them. And for the food bank, moving all that food costs money. So Washington Governor Chris Gregoire opened the State emergency fund yesterday (THU) to help food banks buy gas. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has more.

China's Three Gorges Dam should be finished next year, after more than ten years under construction. The massive dam across the Yangtze River has created a reservoir the size of Lake Superior. Rising water will displace more than two million people. A new documentary explores the social tradeoffs China made to build the world's biggest hydroelectric project. The film 'Up The Yangtze,' opens in Seattle this weekend. KUOW's Marcie Sillman has a preview.

The Washington State Democratic Party says it will change an ad about Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi. The move follows a Seattle group's complaint that the ad is offensive to Italian Americans. KUOW's Liz Jones reports.

The Sonics trial resumes today. The team's Oklahoma based owners want to end their lease and move to Oklahoma City. The city of Seattle has sued to keep the team at Seattle Center for two more seasons. The trial has gone on for a little more than a week. Millions of dollars have been spent. And Berry Tramel says it's all been a waste of time. Tramel is a sports columnist with the Oklahoman, and spoke with KUOW's Derek Wang.

Washington State is the latest to take action against the mortgage business of Countrywide Financial, headquartered in California. Washington Governor Chris Gregoire accuses the company of targeting ethnic minorities with predatory loans. KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has more.

The City of Seattle holds the first of four public hearings tomorrow on the siting of a new jail. The city is looking at four possible sites: two in the South End, one in Interbay, and one on Aurora Avenue North. Neighborhood groups are planning to fight all four options. KUOW's Deborah Wang reports.