In 2013, a plague of sea star wasting disease began killing scores of west coast sea stars. Hit hardest was the sunflower sea star, the largest of its kind, whose population was decimated by close to 90 percent. But thanks to folks like Jason Hodin, lead scientist at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Marine Biology Lab, the sunflower star is making a rebound in captivity, a vital development that could save our coastal kelp forests.

You might think of the outdoors as an opportunity to escape human problems like racism. Yet, 77 percent of national park visitors are white, and racist place names permeate many of our favorite recreation sites. Bill Radke speaks with Crystal Huddleson and Michael Manuel from the local non-profit Climbers of Color about the need to confront racism in outdoor recreation.

Researchers in the San Juan Islands have successfully matured a brood of captive sunflower sea stars, which became critically endangered after a 2013 plague killed 90 percent of the giant ocean creatures. Also, we discuss the need to combat racism and diversify outdoor recreation. Lastly, our weekly conversation with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.

For those who have had beavers destroy property, the word ‘nuisance’ may come to mind when describing the rodent.

The killer whale population is the only whale listed as endangered by the federal government – only 75 of them remain.

The Tulip Festival is on in Washington

Swedish Hospital has launched a new program to connect Black maternity patients with doulas who can provide guidance and advocacy during their pregnancy.

Find out how whale feces is saving the endangered killer whale. Swedish Hospital launches a Black Birth Empowerment Initiative, and the Tulalip Tribes are relocating ‘nuisance’ beavers to help protect the ecosystem.

The Seattle Port Commission has never had a woman of color in its ranks. But KUOW politics reporter David Hyde explains how that may change with a local race that's heating up, with a millennial biracial woman challenging the incumbent, a former three-term Seattle city council member with deep political roots.

As part of our ongoing series introducing listeners to the candidates running to be Seattle's next mayor, we hear from this week Bruce Harrell, a former Seattle city council member and former interim mayor.