Vaughan Jones
Producer, Seattle Now
About
Vaughan Jones is a producer on the Seattle Now podcast, covering Seattle's most pressing news, and gathering some of Seattle's most interesting people for the show's weekly "Casual Friday" episodes.
Vaughan came to KUOW in 2022. Before that, they spent time as the weekend reporter at NPR Member Station KJZZ in Phoenix, where they reported on how the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was impacting Arizonans.
Vaughan grew up in Phoenix, and has a B.A. in Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. You can find Vaughan at any number of local sporting events, or playing bass at (small) concert venues.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English
Pronouns: they/he
Podcasts
Stories
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No treatment, no trial
There’s a big backlog of people in jail who are stuck, waiting for mental health workers to determine if they’re competent to stand trial. King County prosecutors estimate as of last month there are 350 felony cases in limbo. Some people have been waiting for months. Seattle Times reporter Esmy Jimenez is here to give us some insight into what’s going on and tell us why the county says the state should have to cover the cost.
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Sacred food in a polluted river
In the Pacific Northwest, there’s no food as iconic as salmon. But for members of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, it’s sacred. And the salmon in the Columbia River Basin that they eat is contaminated with pollutants. We'll hear from ProPublica reporter Maya Miller about how tribal members are balancing health risks with tradition.
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Caring for pets and their humans
If we can make one sweeping stereotype about Seattleites, it’s that many of us are pet people. Now, a clinic inside a youth homeless shelter in Seattle’s Belltown has found an innovative way to get people connected to services - by offering vet care. KUOW reporter Eilis O’Neill was out at the clinic recently and is here to talk about what she learned.
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'Tis the season for respiratory illness
It’s a week of giving thanks and gratitude, and of stuffing and mashed potatoes. Good luck getting into a grocery store this week... Maybe grab some tissues while you're there. Cases of Covid, flu and RSV are on the rise. KUOW’s Jeannie Yandel talks to UW Associate Professor of Medicine Dr. Helen Chu about celebrating the holidays safely.
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Bringing grizzlies back
For thousands of years, grizzly bears roamed the North Cascades in large numbers. It’s estimated that currently, fewer than ten remain. Now, scientists are trying to bring the grizzlies back. We’ll hear from Seattle Times Environment Reporter Isabella Breda who’s looked into this.
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Seattle tech giants freeze hiring
After explosive pandemic growth, tech companies are retrenching. Including Amazon. The company announced a hiring freeze for its corporate workforce last week. New York Times Technology Correspondent Karen Weise explains.
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Remembering Seattle's gay country music pioneer
Seattle lost a country music pioneer earlier this week. Patrick Haggerty passed away on Monday. Haggerty wrote and recorded the first openly gay country music album in 1973, and lived as a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+, civil, and worker’s rights. Longtime KEXP DJ and LGBTQ+ community advocate Kurt B. Reighley is here to talk about his impact on Seattle art and politics.
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How Seattle celebrates Día de los Muertos
Today is Halloween, but tomorrow marks the start of the two-day holiday of Día de los Muertos. A Latinx-owned art gallery in White Center has been celebrating all month by displaying work from 40 artists inspired by the holiday. Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery co-founders Jake Prendez and Judy Avitia-Gonzalez are here to talk about Día de los Muertos’ significance, and how the holiday has grown in Seattle.
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Triple-demic???
A respiratory virus that’s dangerous for young children is on the rise. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, shows up every year. But this year, it’s much earlier than expected. UW Associate Professor Dr. Helen Chu is here to talk us through this surge and why it’s happening now.
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Wallingford is "historic." What's next?
Wallingford is historic. That’s according to the state’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Now, the neighborhood is seeking federal recognition from the National Park Service. Many 20th century architecture buffs in the neighborhood are thrilled with the news. But some worry the designation might be used to slow housing growth in the area. KUOW’s Joshua McNichols has been following this and is here to tell us what comes next for Seattle’s newest historic district.