Liz Jones Videos

12:00 p.m. Congressman Smith on House Health Care Bill The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a health care reform bill. It includes a public option and restrictions on abortion funding. Rep. Adam Smith (Democrat, Wash.) voted for the bill despite his strong misgivings. We'll hear why. Greenwood Arson Spree Three more cases of arson in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood have residents on edge. We'll hear how the community is coping. Ranked Choice Voting Backers of ranked choice (RCV) voting say it's more fair. But voters in Pierce County didn't agree. They voted against continuing their experiment with RCV after just three years. Does RCV have a future? 12:20 p.m. Fort Lewis Soldier Killed in Afghanistan October was the deadliest month for American soldiers in Afghanistan since the war started. Ten soldiers based at Fort Lewis were killed by roadside bombs. KUOW's Liz Jones remembers one. What Should America's Policy Be in Afghanistan? The Obama administration is re evaluating the war in Afghanistan. Would a troop surge bring order? Is it time to draw down the troops? 12:40 p.m. Googled The New Yorker's Ken Auletta has written a history of Google, the company that has become one of the most powerful forces in technology and media. The word Google has become synonymous with search. The company has begun to digitize every book in the world and the latest version of its cell phone operating system, Android, threatens to shake up the cell phone world. Auletta explains how the company did it in his new book, Googled: The End of the World As We Know It.

The military has confirmed that eight soldiers killed in Afghanistan earlier this week were based at Fort Lewis.

The University of Washington welcomes top international diplomat Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon today.

Workers at Boeing's new plant in South Carolina have voted to decertify their machinists union, at the South Carolina plant where fuselage sections of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner are being assembled. KUOW's Derek Wang spoke with Scott Hamilon, an aerospace analyst with Issaquah based Leeham Company, to explore what this may signal for Boeing, its 787 Dreamliner program and its largest union.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels may not make it to the general election this fall. According to the count at the end of the first night, Nickels was in third place. Mike McGinn and Joe Mallahan were running a close first and second, respectively. Only the top two vote getters advance to the general election. KUOW's Derek Wang spoke with University of Washington Political Science Professor Matt Barreto for some analysis. Barreto also runs the Washington Poll, an academic, nonpartisan survey. This interview was produced by Liz Jones.

12:00 p.m. NOAA Leaving Lake Union HQ The Commander of NOAA's Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union explains what the move out of Seattle will mean. Feds Expand 'U Visa' Program More illegal immigrants who report crime may be rewarded with a visa or green card. KUOW's Liz Jones reports. 3 D TV? 3 D movies are becoming the norm rather than just a horror film novelty. Will there ever be 3 D TV? 12:20 p.m. New Call for Distracted Driving Summit Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says texting while driving should be banned. Should the laws on texting and making phone calls behind the wheel be tougher? 12:40 p.m. Study: Shacking Up First Bad for Marriage Seventy percent of people who marry live together first. And it's bad for marriage, according to a recent study. What's your experience?

What's in a name? Coffee giant Starbucks will soon find out. The company plans to strip its household name from a few Seattle stores. Other locations may follow. The first revamped coffeehouse opens this week.

Maury Island Gravel Mine Washington's public lands commissioner wants to halt Maury Island's gravel mine over Puget Sound environmental concerns. Seeing Sea Ice A new University of Washington/NASA study gives scientists their best picture of Arctic sea ice to date. We'll find out what they saw from the lead researcher. Federal Stimulus Funds Jobs in Wash. KUOW's Liz Jones reports on a local hunger relief program getting federal stimulus help. Boeing and Labor State officials say Boeing wants concessions from labor to keep manufacturing jobs in Washington state. They say a long term, no strike contract with the machinists union could keep the company in the region. How far should unions go to keep jobs in Washington? Freelance Nation Self employed workers make up a growing percentage of the U.S. workforce. What does it take to make it as a freelancer in a tough economy?

A recent study from Moody's finds that Washington state will be one of the first five states to recover from the recession, due to the concentration of high tech companies. KUOW's Derek Wang spoke with the co founder of the online tech news site Tech Flash, John Cook, to get a sense of the high tech sector. This interview was produced by Liz Jones.

The year 2006 was a good one for bad home loans in Washington State. Many were adjustable loans that have started to reset at higher interest rates. That means another wave of foreclosures is likely to hit, according to a recent report from the Washington State Budget and Policy Center. It also predicts African Americans and Latinos are most at risk of losing their homes.

Washington state lawmakers have passed a budget that makes deep cuts to higher education. That will likely mean lower enrollment, tuition hikes and job losses at state schools, including at the University of Washington. KUOW's Derek Wang spoke with UW President Mark Emmert about the situation. This interview was produced by Liz Jones.

Goodbye, P I It's official: Tomorrow will be the last print issue of the Seattle Post Intelligencer. What's your reaction? Spokane Anti Abortion Display A student denied the right to put up an anti abortion display at Spokane Community College is taking the school to court. Bye Bye Parks Department In yet another sign of the bad budget times the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department will close on May 31. Flagging Class The surge of federal stimulus money for roads means more jobs for roadside flaggers at highway construction sites. But theyll need to get trained first. Well attend flagger class. Whither Goes the Globe Atop the P I Building? Now that there's no more print operation, whats going to happen to landmark Seattle P I globe?