Northwest Now: Recent Episodes
Tom Layson
With interest rates still high, homebuyers and sellers alike are off to a somewhat disappointing start to 2026, not only here in the Northwest, but also across the country. So what are some incentive straggles that some sellers and buyers alike are using to buy or sell a home? On this edition of Northwest Now, we’ll have our annual checkup of the local real estate market. We’ll hear from Cheyenne Gallooly President of The Seattle King County Relators and Jenah Mahan President of the Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors and longtime Northwest Now guest, Robert Lipston Executive Vice President of Evergreen Home Loans.
Across America - taking about the resistance means protesting the Trump administration. But in Washington State, the Democrats have ruled state government for decades - and here, the resistance is made up of conservatives now going to court to fight the new income tax. That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
Tacoma has had three chiefs of the city's police department over the past six years, and that includes newly appointed chief Patti Jackson, the city's first female police chief. On this edition of Northwest Now, we'll sit down with Jackson to discuss her vision for the future of the Tacoma Police Department.
International opera star J'Nai Bridges was born and raised in the South Sound and she's sitting down with Northwest Now for a discussion about her Grammy-winning career and her journey from local kid, to the toast of opera halls around the world.
Believe it or not, some studies show that soccer is the third most popular sport here in the US - and that's why so many people are fired up about the World Cup - coming to Seattle in June. Will some of the joy spread to the South Sound - that's the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
Viewers of Jerry Wennstrom’s art might walk away inspired or disturbed – or both. From a hot New York painter to a homeless wanderer to a renown sculptor now in his second act - we're talking with Whidbey Island's Jerry Wennstrom on this edition of Northwest Now.
Tacoma still flies under the radar when people talk about the Pacific Northwest. But the people who know it - love it. That includes the city's new mayor Anders Ibsen who says public safety and homelessness are his two top priorities. That's the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
Legally required open government measures are supposed to help discourage corruption, until they're legislated away. Every now and then though, an average person gets wise, roots out exposes malfeasance. Those stories are at the heart of independent journalist and Syracuse University fellow Miranda Spivack's book, "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards - How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back" - on this edition of Northwest Now.
Some view Arthur West as a litigious thorn in the side of state and local governments, others see him as one of the most influential and effective open government activist in state history. It's a bit of a Rorschach test. We're talking with Arthur West on this edition of Northwest Now.
There are so many ongoing battles between transparency advocates and government, it's fair to say there's a clear cut effort underway to kill the public records act. That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
After almost three years without one, the new Attorney General has re-instituted the position of public records ombuds - now called the Chief Transparency Counsel. We're talking with the person holding that title, Morgan Damerow, on this edition of Northwest Now.
He picked cotton as a child growing up in the Jim Crow South. But Willie Stewart overcame through education, moving North, and finding a new home in Tacoma where he is now a living legend. We're sitting down with Willie Stewart on this edition of Northwest Now.
Washington has the third-highest number of homeless people in the United States. Into that walks We Heart Seattle, a group of volunteers working at the intersection of the effort to save the city's environment and influence homeless policy on this edition of Northwest Now.
There's no question the Democrats have been overwhelmingly successful at the ballot box in Washington State, but how should we view the results? That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northtwest Now.
With a trade war raging and billions in new state taxes, how is business faring in Pierce County. That’s part of the discussion for our annual program previewing the Pierce County Economic Index, compiled by the Tacoma-Pierce Chamber of Commerce.
When we think of the Olympic games we picture athletes celebrating atop the medal stand. But Pacific Northwest Author and award willing journalist Doug Levy says some of the most compelling stories are never told. That's why he's discussing his new book, "Hero Redefined" on this edition of Northwest Now.
he Trump administration makes substantial cuts across the federal government, with some landing directly on veterans and the services upon which they rely. We'll meet Shawn Durnen who works on the front lines to help local veterans. That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
The American Revolution was fought 3-thousand miles away from Western Washington, but that doesn't mean we're not getting in on the celebration. How is American Independence being celebrated, and what was life like back in 1776? That's the discussion on the next Northwest Now.
Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and the president of the Washington Roundable worry that tariffs could cost the state billions by the end of the Trump Administration's term. That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
A decade of cancel culture and the assassination of Charlie Kirk have reinvigorated the discussion about free speech - what exactly it is, and what it isn't. Two renown local professors who focus on the Constitution and our democracy on this edition of Northwest Now.
It wasn't that long ago that Washington was considered a swing state, but no more as the Democrats control all the levers of power. Is there any hope for Republicans in Washington? That's part of the discussion with party chairman Jim Walsh on this edition of Northwest Now.
She's the leader of the University of Washington Tacoma - an institution that transformed Tacoma and the South Sound. We're sitting down with Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange to talk about budget pressures, workforce development and academics on this edition of Northwest Now.
We take it for granted that the soggy west side of Washington protects us from the worst wildfires, but climate change and the explosion of development in areas loaded with fuels means we all need to re-think things.
It may be a so-called “off” year, but in the city of Seattle the mayor’s office is up for grabs. Meanwhile, several seats in the state legislature are up for grabs that could either solidify or water down the strong majority held by the Democrats. That's the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
This year, Nick Brown took over as our state's Attorney General. Brown has been busy filing over three dozen lawsuits against the Trump Administration, many of them successful in shutting down some of the President's controversial executive orders. On this edition of Northwest Now, we'll sit down with Attorney General Brown to discuss those lawsuits, his career and what envisions the future of Washington State's Attorney General office.
ars of unchecked immigration and a failure to reform national immigration policy are coming home to roost - and advocates in Western Washington are working to ensure fair treatment. That's the discussion on this edition of next Northwest Now.
From opinion columns to editorial board consensus statements to candidate endorsements and op-eds, the News Tribune's new opinion editor Lauren Hautala is responsible for it all. We'll meet her on this edition of Northwest Now.
e're talking to state superintendent of public instruction Chris Reykdal about the state of the schools in an era of declining enrollment and increasing taxes chasing higher expenses. That's the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
While mortgage costs are still very high and the local housing market is remaining stagnant, what can buyers and sellers expect this summer along with uncertainty in the economy? We'll sit down with real estate and mortgage experts who will weigh in. Our annual checkup of Western Washington's real estate market on this edition of Northwest Now.
The Port of Tacoma is driving several major initiatives involving the environment, expansion, and building - but we're in a trade war and if it lasts, can those plans and projects survive the instability? That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
The rate of change in Washington DC makes planning your employment and finances almost impossible - so what's the message from second district Congressman Rick Larsen and 10th District Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland? That's part of the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
A discussion with new Seattle Art Museum Director, Scott Stulen. find out his vision for the future of the SAM.
Washington already has pretty good programs for low income students to attend college. But determining financial aid eligibility is difficult, and many students don't know their status until it's too late to enroll with confidence, or they find out they got bogged-down somewhere within the process. So enter the new Washington Guarantee program. That's the discussion on this edition of Northwest Now.
Fentanyl is killing thousands in Western Washington, but a new wave of highly adulterated street drugs threatens to make a bad problem even worse. We're talking about it with Tacoma's needle exchange program - doing battle with a wave of toxic additives on this edition of Northwest Now.
You're entitled to review most of the records government produces in Washington State, but over time, that right is slowly fading away and the problem is only getting worse. Our discussion with the Washington Coalition for Open Government on this edition of Northwest Now.
March is Women's History Month, celebrating women and their accomplishments and contributions. Karen Fraser served in numerous government roles here in Western Washington, making a difference in Thurston County and the State of Washington as a state senator for 24 years. On this edition of Northwest Now we'll sit down with Karen Fraser to discuss her life and long list of accomplishments.
A PBS reality show help those living paycheck to paycheck with their finances. We talk to the local producers of "Opportunity Knocks."
Our discussion with newly-appointed CEO of the Northwest African American Museum Brandon Bird as we celebrate Black History Month.
Cyber attacks are on the rise, how can you protect your data while online? That's our discussion.
Love to travel but concerned about exotic diseases? Then the "Germ & Worm" podcast, hosted by. two local doctors is for you.
As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, he vows tariffs on some of our major trading partners. What impact will this have on our region that relies heavily on trade? that's our discussion for our annual look at the South Sound economy.
A discussion with a former educator who now uses his talented photographic eye to document the lives of the homeless population in Olympia.
For more than thirty years the Puget sound Revels theatre company has been producing their mid-winter celebration of culture - and this year, the focus is on an amazing and little known piece of African American history.
magine growing up with a cousin only later to discover he became one of this country's most notorious serial killers? That's exactly what happened to Edna Cowell Martin - Ted Bundy's cousin - and author of Dark Tide.
What if you could combine the practical knowledge of a technical education with the academic and intellectual expansion of a Bachelors degree? That's the reality now at many of the state's community and technical colleges.
For more than fifty years two brothers hand-crafted some of the finest canoes ever built - and their story is the subject of a new film called "Makers on the Tide." The story of Tacoma's Willits Brothers on this edition of Northwest Now.
The water salmon and steelhead rely on for survival begins its journey to the sound from the very highest peaks in the Olympics and the Cascades. For this chapter or Northwest Now's Saving the Salmon series, we examine the upslope efforts to enhance our region's watersheds.
Our discussion with our election night team of experts about the November election and the key races.
A look at ballot initiatives that could overturn some of the biggest progressive legislation in our state's history.
A discussion with both Dave Reichert and Bob Ferguson who are both running to be our state's next governor.
A discussion with both candidates running for our state's 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Derek Kilmer.
Voters in our state will be choosing a new Attorney General. Will Republican Pete Serrano be. the first from his party in 12 years to sit in that chair, or will voters choose Democratic candidate Nick Brown to be our state's top attorney.
A look at a new gallery honoring those who lost their freedom during WWII and were forced into detention camps.
Students head back to school while test scores fall, security concerns are at an all-time high, and school district budget shortfalls. We speak with both candidates for Superintendent of Office of Public Instruction on this edition of Northwest Now.
If you're into cooking and food chances are you've seen chef Joel Gamoran work his culinary magic on television. He's our guest on the next Northwest Now.
A grassroots volunteer group called We Heart Seattle goes against the grain by picking up more than a million pounds of trash in an effort to help address the city's homeless crisis.
A discussion with outgoing moderates, state GOP Representitive J.T. Wilcox, and Democratic 6th Congressional District Derek Kilmer about their decisions not to run for office again in the midst of squabbling between MAGA Republicans and Progressive Democrats. Are political extremes causing effective moderates on both sides to leave office?
A discussion about why so many people are chasing to end their own lives and the help that is available.
A discussion with a longtime accomplished musician who has also shaped the careers of countless young people.
Boeing has fallen on hard times, what's next for the airplane manufacture as problems pile up? We'll talk to two top aviation analysts.
A community based group in Seattle's Central district collects and restores black oral history.
Every year some elected officials in our state work to make it more difficult for journalists to hold them accountable and you to have the right to know what they're up to. Here's our annual look at government transparency.
A discussion with Tacoma News Tribune columnist Matt Driscoll about his column, the current state of print journalism, and Tacoma in general.
Some immigrants who serve in the U.S. Military find themselves suddenly deported for minor legal infractions. Our discussion with the producer of a documentary detailing this injustice and one local man who was deported and later allowed back in the U.S.
A discussion about the upcoming 2024 election with Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and ballot security concerns.
With division over the war in the Middle East, polarizing political noise from the left and the right, and racial tensions, when can we finally find common ground?
The Surgeon General declares loneliness to be a national epidemic. We'll discuss what effects loneliness has on the body and mind. Plus, a look at the "Seattle Freeze" and how it effects loneliness in the Emerald City.
From street racing, to driving at reckless speeds, to DUI's...the death rate on our sate's roadways are spiking. What can be done to make sure our highways are safe for everyone?
A look at what man made barriers like culverts, dams, and floating bridge pontoons are doing to salmon migration.
A discussion about the future of the downtown area after years of failed public policy leads to an increase of violent crime and open air drug use.
A discussion about the childcare shortage including an interview with a famiy that's experiencing this crisis firsthand.
A group of teens head back to Mexico from Washington State to visit family they've never met. Our discussion with the producers of the documentary that details their journey.
How "magic mushrooms" can possibly be the answer for those suffering from various mental illnesses.
As summer temperatures soar and our skies fill with smoke from wildfires burning locally and far away, it's evident that Washington State is in a climate crisis. We'll discuss this with the state climatologist and two other experts from the University of Washington. Plus, a trip to the north Cascades where a wildfire has been burning since July.
Students and teachers head back to the classroom as school districts face budget deficits and teacher shortages.
A discussion about an upcoming community conversation about gun violence and a search for possible solutions. We'll also hear from Second Amendment activists about responsible gunownershipr and rights.
Is the state's new capital gains tax a way to make the rich pay their share or a gateway to a state income tax?
A discussion with a local pastor who is working with leaders of other faiths in an effort to unify our divided community.
A discussion with port leadership about the future of the port and environmental cleanup efforts in the surrounding area.
A discussion with the Executive Director of Long Live The Kings, an organization working with all local stakeholders to help restore steelhead salmon to our local waters.
Our annual checkup of the Western Washington real estate market. What effect are rising interest rates having?
Meet Greg Spotts, the new director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. Find out what he has planed for the future of transportation in Seattle.
Meet April Sims, the new President of the Washington Labor Council and the first black woman to lead an AFL/CIO affiliate in any state.
Our annual look at your access to government records. Find out how some local elected officials are working to limit your access to records that hold them accountable.
A discussion with the director of the Washington State Ferry system. Find out what's next for the nation's largest ferry system that's facing an aging fleet and staffing issues.
A discussion with new Sound Transit CEO Julie Timm about her vision of what public transportation should be here in Western Washington. Plus, a discussion with residents of a Tacoma neighborhood that just want some normalcy after years of construction and delays on the city's Hilltop light rail extension project.
A discussion with a University of Washington researcher about the growing number of fentanyl overdose deaths and how we can deal with addiction.
Leaders of both parties in the Washington State Legislature weigh in on this year's session.
Congestion at Sea-Tac Airport has promoted the government to recommend that our region build a second commercial airport, but many local communities don't want it built in their back yards.
A documentary produced by the Tacoma Fire Department about the mental toll the job takes on firefighters.
A former Washington State Department of Ecology writes a book about the toll that man-made environmental disasters is taking on not only the state's fragile ecosystem, but also those responding to these incidents.
During a time of bitter division and rising violence, one local man spreads a remarkable message of peace and understanding.
Host Tom Layson travels to Pacific Raceways in Kent to meet with classic race car enthusiasts who race for hobby, family and community.
A discussion with three local political experts on the upcoming 2022 midterm elections.
A discussion with Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier and a political expert about this important Congressional race. A note GOP challenger Matt Larkin declined to be interviewed.
We'll hear from both Senator Patty Murray and challenger Tiffany Smiley on this edition of Northwest Now.
We talk to both candidates for Washington's Secretary of State job for the 2022 election.
Our annual look at issues facing students and teachers as they head back to the classroom.
A discussion with a local producer of a new documentary displaying the trouble salmon face in the wake of warming waters, pollution, and river dams throughout the west coast.
A look at the 2022 Special Olympics and how athletes are getting ready for the Summer games.