Steve Scher
Stories
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Nancy Pearl Recommends Self-Help Books
What makes a good self-help book? Book commentator and author Nancy Pearl joins us to think about it. Her favorite is “The Dance of Anger” by Harriet
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A Conversation With Artist And Naturalist Tony Angell
Naturalist, illustrator and sculptor Tony Angell shares his home and his imagination with birds. He joins us to talk about the ecological role birds play in our lives and how the natural world inspires his creativity.Also this hour: a television satirist known as "the Jon Stewart of Egypt" is under threat of censorship by the Morsi government. We check in with Sherif Mansour of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Plus, we consider the Seahawks' winning ways and Tully's new celebrity ownership with Wendy Sykes and novelist Garth Stein.
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Congress Readies For The Next "Cliff"
The next cliff looms in Washington, DC, as the US Treasury runs out of borrowing authority at the end of February. There may be a decision about across-the-board spending cuts known as "sequestration," as well as a debate over the social safety net.Will Democrats agree to cuts to Social Security and Medicare? We talk with economics writer James Kwak about the political support for smaller government and less revenue.Also this hour: we review the big banking mortgage settlement with Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times financial writer Gretchen Morgenson. Seattle Times aerospace writer Dominic Gates gives us an update on contract talks between Boeing and its engineering union, SPEEA. Plus, Michael Fagin joins us with a recommended hike.
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Gather At The Table: A Dialogue On Race
When you look at a person, do you "see race?" Sharon Leslie Morgan and Tom DeWolf have been asking that question as they sat down at dinner tables around America. They found the lingering pain of slavery, and some paths to healing. They join us for a conversation about the journey toward racial equality.Also this hour: how will Medicare pay beneficiaries in the years to come? We take it up with Marilyn Moon of the Health Program at the American Institutes for Research. Plus, as the state figures out how legalized marijuana will be produced, processed and sold, companies are stepping up to offer their services. We talk with Dr. Bruce Bedrick of Medbox about prescription drug dispensing machines.
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Nancy Pearl On Characters You Wish You Could Meet
Update: we will carry NPR coverage of President Obama's cabinet announcements at 10:00 a.m.What do these three literary figures have in common: Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Billy Ansell from “The Sweet Hereafter” and Anne from “The Sparrow.” The answer: librarian and author Nancy Pearl wishes she knew them in real life! What makes a character worth knowing? Who would you choose to meet? Nancy Pearl joins us. Share your thoughts at 206.543.5869 or weekday@kuow.org.Also this hour: as the state Liquor Control Board figures out how legalized marijuana will be produced, processed and sold, companies are stepping up to offer their services. We talk with Dr. Bruce Bedrick of Medbox about prescription drug dispensing machines.
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"Almost Live!" Alums Have Seattle's Number
Seattle has grown since KING 5's sketch comedy show Almost Live! left the air in 1999. Now some of the team that brought "The Lame List" and "COPS in Wallingford" to TV is back with a new show of modern-day Seattle-centric funny. The 206, starring Pat Cashman, John Keister and Chris Cashman, premieres tomorrow night. They join us in studio with a preview.Also this hour: an investment group led by actor Patrick Dempsey has reportedly won an auction for the Tully's franchise. We get the scoop from Seattle Times business reporter Melissa Allison. Mary Lindquist, president of Washington state's largest teachers' union, explains her group's decision to explore a legal challenge to the state's new charter schools law. Seattle Times sportswriter Danny O'Neill tells us what to watch for in Sunday's Seahawks' playoffs matchup against the Redskins in D.C. Plus, Nick Bond joins us with a weekend weather forecast.
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Your Take On The News
It’s Friday — time to review the week’s news with Eli Sanders, Knute Berger, David Horsey and Bruce Ramsey. The House of Representatives voted 257-167 late Tuesday night to avoid the "fiscal cliff." The deal keeps the Bush tax cuts in place for individuals making less than $400,000 a year, extends federal emergency unemployment benefits and Washington state's sales tax deduction, and sets up Fiscal Cliff 2 in just a few weeks. We'll look at how the deal went down and what lies ahead.
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The Russian Mall Boom
Shopping malls have come to Russia. Investors as diverse as IKEA and Wall Street banks are funneling money into new Russian shopping centers. They are big, and very popular. Russian malls are anchored by grocery stores, where aisles full of fresh food dazzle older shoppers who still carry memories of shortages and food lines. We talk with The New York Times' Moscow correspondent Andrew Kramer about the malls of Russia. Also this hour: IMDb TV editor Melanie McFarland gives us the guilty pleasures of the new TV season, we listen back to the life of an old-time radio announcer and Sara Dickerman offers a tasty new year’s cleansing diet.
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Lack of Transparency In State Legislature
Last session, Washington state legislators introduced some "title only" bills into committee — essentially blank legislation with the details to be filled in later. They also held hearings on some bills with only two hours public notice, violating the intent of their own rules. Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center tells us why he wants to see more accountability in Olympia through greater legislative transparency. Also this hour: we talk with state senator David Frockt about the battle over finding more money for education in Washington state, urbanist Max Grinnell talks walking in the city, and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra celebrates 70 years.
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Canada, Culture And Commerce: NW Business News And Movies At MOHAI
Victoria Times-Colonist columnist Les Leyne brings us the latest news from Canada. Film critic Robert Horton shares some of the movie offerings at Seattle's newly reopened Museum of History and Industry. Then, Michael Parks looks at Amazon's big 2012, Microsoft's make-or-break 2013 and what Boeing's backlog means for the region's employment.