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Should we be prosecuting crimes of poverty?

caption: Public defenders in King County support a new "poverty defense" in Seattle. This coat stolen from Goodwill was the subject of a recent Seattle jury trial.
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Public defenders in King County support a new "poverty defense" in Seattle. This coat stolen from Goodwill was the subject of a recent Seattle jury trial.
Seattle Municipal Court filings

Prosecutors and advocates say this is “the unfinished work” of overhauling the criminal legal system that was set off by this summer’s protests for civil rights. This week’s talk with King County Executive Dow Constantine. A look at the challenges and surprising upsides facing Seattle Public Schools. And: why isn’t anyone using Washington’s coronavirus tracing app, CovidSafe?

Individual segments are available in our podcast stream or at www.kuow.org/record.

Amy Radil on crimes of poverty

A group of Seattle prosecutors has proposed that crimes of poverty, such as stealing clothing or food, should no longer be prosecuted. KUOW’s Amy Radil has been following the story.

King County Executive Dow Constantine 12.8

With the vaccine around the corner, questions about distribution, accessibility, and equity came flooding in for King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Ann Dornfeld, Seattle Public Schools

Education reporter Ann Dornfield has been following all things school district, from varied COVID reopening strategies to current online school numbers to an abuse scandal that’s threatening the superintendent’s job. She spoke with Bill Radke about these stories.

Washington State launches a new COVID notification smartphone app

There are several COVID tracking apps being used across more than a dozen states. Washington's version, WA Notify, rolled out last week. But how much personal information does this app require, and how secure is that information? Gennie Gebhart, acting activist director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, breaks down her level of concern.

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