Seattle Now

Monica Nickelsburg, KUOW’s AI and economy reporter and Booming co-host, covers Amazon’s recent 16,000-person cut and what it signals for the company’s future. She lays out which roles and regions were hit, how pandemic hiring and AI pressures shaped the moves, and the local ripple effects on Seattle’s jobs and businesses.

Amazon cuts a huge number of jobs and Seattle tech firms keep trimming staff. Starbucks simplifies its menu and sees sales rise. Community reactions flare over immigration enforcement and proposed funding threats. Tacoma arts and police leadership face big changes, and a local clinic ends gender care for minors. A UW study links cannabis use to more health complaints and dry January breaks with incoming rain.

Yinhai Wang, transportation engineering professor and director of TRAC at UW, offers expert analysis on the Revive I-5 project. He walks through why the Ship Canal Bridge needs long repairs. He explains regional ripple effects, which local streets will see detours, and practical commuting strategies to cope with multi-year lane closures.

A rapid roundup of Seattle headlines, from a rare 13,000-job loss in the region to Amazon closing its Go and Fresh stores. Lawmakers are moving to restrict youth access to kratom with steep taxes and licensing. Funding for salmon passage at Howard Hanson Dam and a judge restoring EV charger funds highlight infrastructure news. Sports fans learn longtime Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs plans to retire after 2026.

Andy Hurst, Seattle Now senior producer and longtime Seahawks follower, breaks down Seattle’s stunning Super Bowl return. He walks through roster changes, Sam Darnold’s redemption arc, and the painful memory of the 2015 loss. Conversations touch on matchup dynamics with New England, betting lines, coaching impact, and the citywide excitement fueling a possible new era.

Local leaders react to federal immigration actions and consider legal and political responses. Officials discuss funding and National Guard coordination after policy moves. Public health teams push a measles vaccination drive with free clinics. Lawmakers debate public grocery solutions as stores close. Community notes include flood recovery jobs, a notable public health figure remembered, and sports playoff momentum.

Daniel Walters, Democracy and extremism reporter at Investigate West, explains how automated license plate readers work and why Washington lawmakers are rethinking their use. He covers how the cameras spread across the state, concerns about nationwide searches and public records access, and the key limits proposed in SB 6002.

Jerry Brewer, sports writer for The Athletic, breaks down why Seattle’s team is a genuine title contender. Eilish O'Neill, KUOW reporter, explores a new fallopian-tube approach changing ovarian cancer prevention choices. Amy Radel, KUOW reporter, covers Seattle’s shift from arrests to services and LEAD outreach at hotspot locations. Short, local-focused stories with game analysis, medical reporting, and on-the-ground policy coverage.

Light rail service will link Seattle and the Eastside starting March 28. Legal fights over federal ICE deployments and state-level defenses are under way. Rivian pushes to sell directly to Washington consumers. A man was charged after alleged groping incidents tied to a Lime Bike ride. Cross-border ties with British Columbia and local transit changes for a Seahawks game are also discussed.

Join Andy Hurst, a Senior Producer and Seahawks-anxiety correspondent, and Phyllis Fletcher, KUOW Editor, as they dive into Seattle's vibrant sports scene. They discuss the Seahawks’ playoff momentum and Andy’s surprising confidence after a recent win. The conversation also shifts to quirky legislation, like the proposal for cursive lessons in schools and the possibility of serving alcohol in large movie theaters. They even debate the infamous SeaTac Airport name, revealing local preferences along the way.