The Record

As countries around the world raise their vaccination numbers and loosen their COVID-19 restrictions, the prospect of vacation is luring many out of their pandemic cabin fever. But is now the right or wrong time to hit take that postponed vacation? Senior travel agent Sheri Smith, from Elizabeth Homes Travel, fills us in on what to expect when booking.

Everything on a store shelf got there somehow-- most likely, it arrived by boat. Record producer Sarah Leibovitz fills us in on how a shipping container shortage is impacting goods from groceries to household goods.

From groceries to lumber, the rise in demand for various goods is pushing prices up and inventories down. Couldn't we have prepared for so many shortages? And how long will they last for? Deborah Glassman, professor of finance and business economics at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, joins The Record.

Staffing. Rental Cars. Shipping containers. Lumber. As the economy rebounds from its pandemic slump, we're learning that returning to normal won't be easy -- or cheap. This hour, we speak with a variety of experts dealing with shortages, from rental cars and port authorities to timber sales and lesbian bars.

A drought crisis in the west is worsening conditions for tribes, farmers, and municipalities. So far, the loss is stretching across California and Oregon. According to the U.S. drought monitor about 71% of the West is now in at least "severe drought," compared to about 15% at this time last year. Bill Radke spoke with Mike Baker the Seattle bureau chief for the New York Times about his report on this issue.

During the pandemic prices fell, but in Western Washington home prices are booming, gas has gotten more expensive, and so have some groceries. Are we experiencing inflation? Bill Radke spoke with William Mcguire an economics professor with the University of Washington about how to understand the rise and fall of price tags since the pandemic's beginning.

An orca whale carrying her dead calf through Puget Sound for 17 days. A mother's grief on display, three years ago affected people around the world and led to global awareness of the struggling orcas and the disappearing salmon they rely on. As few as 75 orcas whales remain. Bill Radke spoke with Lynda Mapes, the Seattle Time environment reporter about her new book is called Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home.

Beyond the melted cheese, or IG-ready desserts are the small comforts made in comfort of the dorm, or quick purchases during late night studying, or the satisfying cravings right after a party. Bill Radke spoke with Taylor Zachary, a UW Daily columnist, about her series 'Foodscapes near me' the origins and evolution of dishes particular to college cuisine.

After a whole year of being closed to the public, Seattle Public Libraries is starting to re-open its branches.

Seattle is using two hotels as temporary shelters under the theory that a room of your own helps you rest and gather yourself and get into permanent housing. But Publicola's Erica Barnett says that successful outcome doesn't appear to be happening much.