Alaskan Way Viaduct Videos

Voters in Seattle are apparently having a hard time picking their next mayor. A recent poll by the online news site Publicola found more than one third of voters are undecided in the race. The race features two political newcomers, former attorney and Sierra Club activist Mike McGinn and T Mobile executive Joe Mallahan. They are in many ways similar. They both call themselves progressive Democrats, both cut their teeth in politics working as Congressional aides, both come from large Irish Catholic families. Both live in the city's north side. But the similarities end there.

12 p.m. Profile: Joe Mallahan Two men who've never held elected office are battling it out to become Seattle's mayor. Today Deborah Wang profiles Joe Mallahan, candidate for mayor of Seattle. She'll profile his opponent Mike McGinn tomorrow. Tree Farmers May Profit From Climate Regulation Many companies are inviting people like you to pay a little bit extra to offset the global warming pollution resulting from an activity such as a trip. In our region, private timberland owners, farmers, and some tribal governments are dreaming dollar signs. But what are you really buying with an offset? Correspondent Tom Banse looks into that. 12:20 p.m. City Council Candidates Robert Rosencrantz and Mike O'Brien Mike O'Brien and Robert Rosencrantz are running for an open seat on the Seattle City Council. O'Brien, a financial manager, says he'll fight for alternatives to the tunnel replacement plan for the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Robert Rosencrantz, who makes his living in real estate, says the tunnel isn't his first choice, but he still supports it. 12:40 p.m. The Future of Independent Bookstores The news that the Elliot Bay Book Company may have to move from Pioneer Square because of financial difficulties sends shudders through the book lover community. How can independent book stores survive? What do you look for in a book store? Call and tell us.

12:00 p.m. Too Many Administrators? A stay at home mom, and former business analyst, took a detailed look at the Seattle School District's budget. She concluded the district's administrative spending is way out of line compared to other school districts. It's Electric A new fleet of electric cars is coming to Washington. We'll learn more. The Trouble With Unemployment We talk to a laid off Seattle Times editor about the hoops you have to jump through to collect unemployment. 12:20 p.m. McGinn Backs Off On The Tunnel Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn once promised he'd stop the tunnel that was approved to replace the Alaskan Way viaduct. He said it was too expensive. He said it was bad for the climate. Yesterday McGinn announced he would uphold the agreement to build the tunnel. McGinn says he still opposes the tunnel but it would be his responsibility as mayor to follow through on agreements. What do you think of the change? 12:40 p.m. Taylor Branch on 'The Clinton Tapes' Shortly after he was elected, President Clinton asked his old friend Taylor Branch, the Pulitzer prize winning historian, to help him take care of history. Branch recorded 79 conversations with Clinton over the eight years of his presidency. The project was top secret because of fears that political enemies would subpoena the tapes. Branch recalls those conversations in his new book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President.

The deep bore tunnel replacement plan for the Alaskan Way viaduct [in Seattle] cleared the Washington House last night (Wednesday). The plan heads back to the state Senate for amendments. Then it's off to the governor for her expected approval.

West Seattle Blog talks with Pete Spalding, one of two West Seattleites on the Stakeholders Advisory Committee in the Alaskan Way Viaduct Central Waterfront review process.

There's mixed reaction to the plan to replace Seattle's aging Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bored tunnel. Yesterday (Tuesday) the Governor and local officials said the tunnel is the best option to keep traffic moving through the city while improving the waterfront. KUOW's Joshua McNichols has more.

West Seattle Blog is there as Governor Gregoire announces that a deep-bore tunnel will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct's Central Waterfront section.

West Seattle Blog talks with Vlad Oustimovitch, one of two West Seattle reps on the Stakeholders Advisory Committee that vetted the various options during the Alaskan Way Viaduct Central Waterfront decisionmaking process.

West Seattle Blog asks County Council Chair Dow Constantine whether he thinks the Alaskan Way Viaduct can be kept open during tunnel construction.