Seattle Now

This week… Get ready for hordes of purple fans. The Husky Football Team is on its way to the National Championship. Sound Transit is considering fare gates to stop free light rail riders. And surprise! Smoke and fog messed with the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Space Needle. Freelance arts reporter Jas Keimig and Seattle Now Producer Clare McGrane are here to break down the week.

If you are starting 2024 with sniffles, a cough, or even a fever, you’re not alone. The festive holiday weeks have left many of us with a respiratory bug.

Covid, the flu and RSV are all in play this time of year… along with the common cold… and anecdotally, they’re out in numbers. It’s a good time to talk with UW Medicine Professor Dr. Helen Chu.. she’s here to tell us what we should know about the trio of winter illnesses circulating right now, and what we can do to stay healthy.

If you think it’s been warm this winter you are right.

December’s temperatures broke records.

And that means we’ll see less snowpack.

Deputy state climatologist Karin Bumbaco is here to bring us up to speed on weather patterns and what’s ahead this winter.

2024 has officially entered the building and a new Seattle City Council is on deck. The five, soon to be six, brand new council members have a lot on their plate this year, not to mention all those promises they made on the campaign trail. Publicola Editor Erica C. Barnett is here to give us our first briefing on the newest council.

There’s something for everyone in the Pacific Northwest. But if you are passionate about foraging mushrooms, our region is one of the best. Back in spring, we spoke with author Daniel Winkler about how mushroom hunting helps connect us with nature and find a few things to eat.

Today we’ll revisit an episode on the life of Tokitae - the last southern resident Orca whale in captivity.

She died in August.

We talked to Lummi Nation member Jay Julius and Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes in August about her life and the story of endangered Orcas.

The Seattle Now team makes a lot of shows. We love so many, but some really shine. This week, we’re going to highlight some of our favorite conversations of the year. This one is a look into one of the most beautiful hikes that Washington has to offer: The Enchantments. The crystal-clear lakes and gorgeous views are a huge draw. People love them… But maybe a little too much. Nature writer Luke Whelan is here to talk about how hikers are putting strain on the area’s ecosystem, and how people are trying to keep it clean and safe.

We hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season. To round out the year, the Seattle Now team is revisiting some of our favorite episodes, starting with a trip to visit Chris Watson in Tacoma.

Chris is better known as the man behind the hugely successful TikTok account Catluminati. The channel has brought him closer to his neighbors, and also changed his relationship with his mental health.

It has been a big year for our city. We became the center for a fentanyl epidemic, and fierce political fights over how to respond to it. But the city’s art scene also brought us some joy and delight.

Bill Radle talked through some of the biggest stories in politics, the arts, and more at the Year in Review live with KUOW Arts Reporter Mike Davis, Economy reporter Monica Nickelsburg and Po

Today is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year.

Between the short days and the holidays, this time of year can be a lot for many of us.

Music can help.

KEXP host Kennady Quille shares some of her favorite local music to play when the winter blues are in full force.